Salesforce has introduced a brand-new program, Launchpad, in hopes of helping venture-backed startups scale quickly and efficiently in the AI era.
Launchpad combines Salesforce’s technology, AI guidance, and community support to fuel the growth of startups from the outset, with a key focus on helping these companies prepare for the future of go-to-market (GTM) and the complexities of digital labor.
What Is Launchpad?
Startups today are trying to scale in a world reshaped by AI and digital labor. While the opportunities are huge, so are the challenges – building a go-to-market motion, finding customers, and standing out in crowded markets.
Launchpad is Salesforce’s potential answer to bridging this gap, giving these startups the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in a very competitive space.
Salesforce states that Launchpad provides startups with:
- Community Access: Ability to connect on their Slack community and events, opening the opportunity to converse with other GTM leaders and founders on best practices and AI initiatives.
- Learning Resources: Receive expert guidance from industry experts on GTM and AI strategy.
- Tech Solutions: Have AI and GTM solutions tailored to your startups, ready for implementation. Salesforce product packages and exclusive discounts are also included for Launchpad members.
For Salesforce, it’s also a strategic play. By helping founders early, they’re betting those companies will stick with Salesforce as they grow from “zero to hypergrowth”.
Per Salesforce, the program is currently in Beta. They are only accepting applications from companies based in the U.S., Canada, and EMEA regions and companies with external, verifiable funding in the form of venture capital, debt, angel funding, or equivalent.
Final Thoughts
Launchpad has clear potential to provide companies with the resources and know-how they wouldn’t have had otherwise to properly navigate scaling in an AI world.
This is a great way to bring together smaller companies and the Salesforce community. With Salesforce’s support, a lot of small startups will be a lot better off in the long run.
