From Restaurant to Idea Hub
We stopped at LaunchPad in Arlington, Va., last week to see what the Ballston Business Improvement District was doing with the space formerly occupied by Chevys restaurant. CEO Tina Leone tells us it'll host the "next great idea" competition. (Note: Chevys Crispy Chicken Flautas has already been invented. Please stop submitting that as your idea.) At least 10 startups will be selected to get mentoring and help with business plans and fundraising pitches. The companies will be announced in two weeks. Three finalists will present to former AOL exec and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. He'll crown one startup "the next great idea." The winner could get seed funding, donated workspace, and continued mentoring. Tina says LaunchPad will also host Shark Tank watch parties and other networking events for the neighborhood's startup community.
