What exactly is LEAP YEAR?
We're the bridge between you and your own business.
Think of Leap Year like this...A combination of startup mentality, business mastery, and creative genius. Definitely not college.
Think you have to go to college first, before you a start a business?
THINK AGAIN.
But if it's not college, what is it?
At the heart of Leap Year is the desire to help you start your own business.
An alternative to more school.
PHASE 1
Weeks 1-4, Sept 2nd -Sept 26
PHASE 2
Weeks 5-12, Oct 6 -Dec 5
PHASE 3
Weeks 13-32, Jan 5th- May 25th
Find the Right Problem
Every great business starts with a great problem. This phase is all about figuring out if your idea is actually worth pursuing. Through hands-on workshops, real convos with potential customers, and creative problem-solving, you'll test your assumptions and fine-tune your startup concept. Be ready to challenge what you think you know—by the end, you’ll have a sharper, more focused idea that’s ready to be tested.
Founders will meet 9am-noon daily, with afternoon mentoring/small group work.
Field Trip: We'll travel to Milwaukee to visit Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Labs.
Cohort Community Building: We'll attend a Forward soccer game at Breese Stevens field, and take in some local music.
Mentorship Pairing: Once you have an idea, we'll pair you with a local mentor who can hold you accountable to your launch plan.
Prize Opportunity: Participants will present their Lean Canvas, and the founder with the most creative business plan will win $250.
Test and Build
Now it’s time to see if your idea really works. You’ll build a prototype, experiment with customer feedback, and tweak your business model based on what you learn. This phase is all about adapting, pivoting, and making your idea stronger. By the end, you’ll have a real, working business model and a clear understanding of who your customers are.
Founders will meet 9am-noon daily with afternoons spent conducting customer outreach and discovery interviews.
Field Trip: We'll travel to Platteville to visit the Huff Family Innovation Center.
Guest Speakers: Shelby Olstad (Miggy's Bakes) and Ben Miller (Kwik Drip) share their startup stories.
Monthly Challenges: Conducting customer interviews is paramount to building a successful business. But talking to people? SCARY. Let's do it together.
Prize Opportunity: Founders will pitch their business using a traditional pitch deck. Most compelling pitch deck wins $5,000.
Grow and Scale
Over the next five months, you’ll keep leveling up your business with weekly workshops, expert mentors, and a supportive founder community. Whether you're working on getting more customers, locking in funding, or perfecting your brand, this phase is all about staying on track and making real progress. You’ll have the guidance and accountability to keep pushing forward and turning your startup into something real.
Founders will meet weekly for accountability and workshops, but are expected to work based on their individualized goals. For serious founders, this may mean 40+ hours of building per week.
Field Trip: We'll travel to TitleTown Tech to hear about the businesses they're investing in.
Workshop: We'll deep dive into presentations, public speaking, and knowing your audience with expert public speakers.
Final Presentations: Choose between a pitch or a summary of learning. Invite your friends, and celebrate the launch of your new business.
Prize Opportunity: The cohort will vote on the 'winner', or who should receive the last $5,000.
PROGRAM TOPICS
Focus on the Problem, not the Solution
Customer Discovery
Validation Tactics
Building and Prototyping
Design Thinking
Monetization Strategies
Financial Fundamentals
Building a Standout Brand
Social Media Marketing and Gen Z
Storytelling
Bootstrapping or Raising Money
Presentations of Learning
Demo Days
Resume Building and Marketing as a Solopreneur
By the end, you'll have...
A Founder's Playbook
A Lean Canvas, market analysis, and a validated business concept ready to launch.
Hands-On Startup Skills
Customer interviewing, rapid prototyping, pitching, and the ability to turn ideas into action.
A Powerful Network
Connections to mentors, investors, and a community of like-minded student founders.
A Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Proof that you didn't just study business-you built one.
Meet your instructor, Beth.
Meet Beth.
She joined the StartingBlock team last year, and bringing her on board has been one of the best decisions we've ever made (psst, she’s also the one writing this). Since then, we’ve been able to launch our own programming, including a variety of accelerators and workshops.
With a Master’s in Education and 17 years in the classroom, she knows how to design engaging, accessible sessions that make complex business concepts easy to grasp. Her ability to juggle all the moving pieces of our programs—while also keeping founders on track—has been a game changer.
Thanks to her, we’ve guided 75+ founders through our programs, made countless strategic connections, and built a stronger, more impactful community. When she’s not running workshops or matching founders with the right resources, she’s probably brainstorming new ways to level up StartingBlock’s offerings (or sneaking in a coffee break).
Why StartingBlock?
LOCATION
Did you know that Madison has been ranked as the #1 up and coming city to launch a business? Everyone knows the major players like San Francisco and New York, but the city with the most potential? Madison.
INDUSTRY AGNOSTIC
We don't specialize in one sector of the economy, we specialize in the Midwest economy. Biotech, Fintech, SaaS, coaching and consulting, artists, you name it. If your business will impact Wisconsinites, we'll help you launch.
BUILT IN COMMUNITY
Entrepreneurship can be lonely, but not at StartingBlock. You’ll be surrounded by a network of founders, mentors, and experts who actually want to see you succeed. Whether you need advice, connections, or just a space to vent about startup life, we’ve got you (and a box of Kleenex if you need it).
I know. You've got more questions.
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When will I know if I've been accepted?Interviews will begin Jun 23, and the decisions on who will be in the final cohort will be made by July 1st. You will receive an application update by the end of the day July 1st.
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What are the dates of the 2025-26 program?Our fall cohort will start on September 2nd, and will end on May 25th, 2026. Our winter cohort will start on January 5th, 2026 and will end August 19th, 2026. Our summer cohort will start on June 8th, 2026 and will end January 15th, 2026.
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What is included in the cost?The $10,000 price tag covers the cost of 9 months of instruction, books, exclusive access to our cohorts business platform hosted by LeanStack, a yearlong membership to StartingBlock, and speaker fees. The perks of a StartingBlock membership include: opportunity to present at One Million Cups Features in our newsletter and social media Access to the 3rd floor Cafe which includes the outdoor patio What isn't included is food and lodging. While coffee, snacks and occasional lunches will be covered, main meals are not. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and housing, with the requirement that they must be able to attend daily sessions at StartingBlock Madison (821 E Washington Ave, Madison WI).
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Is there a payment plan?The full tuition is due by August 15 or admittance will be revoked. We will accept the following options: Full Payment $10,000 upon admittance Down Payment and Completion $1,000 down payment upon admittance $9,000 by Aug 15th Down Payment and Split Payment $1,000 down payment upon admittance $4500 by August 1st $4500 by Aug 15th
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What are the expectations of the participants?All participants will need to sign a code of conduct, as well a membership agreement and lease. Participants are expected to attend all in person sessions as they are able.
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What's the difference between Level Set, Madworks, and Leap Year?Level Set is a free 6 week foundational program for anyone who wants to start a business. Next Level is a paid 12 week intermediate program for anyone who has finished Level Set and wants to continue their entrepreneurial learning. Madworks is an application based 12 week program for companies that are ready to scale (already have traction, revenue, etc.). Leap Year is exclusively for young adults and is an extensive 9 month program that will encompass all aspects of Level Set and Next Level.
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What are the benefits of a Gap Year?A gap year offers significant advantages, including the opportunity for personal growth and development by building self-reliance and managing responsibilities. It provides a dedicated time for skill development, whether through formal education, apprenticeships, volunteering, or acquiring essential life skills. A gap year can also lead to greater clarity and direction regarding future career paths and educational pursuits through reflection and exploration. Overall, a well-planned gap year serves as an investment in one's future by fostering valuable skills, providing practical experience, and enhancing personal well-being.
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Who are the instructors?Beth Ott, our Director of Programming will lead the initial cohort and sessions. A variety of guest speakers dependent on their area of expertise will be tapped to share their knowledge. Scott Mosley, CEO of StartingBlock, will be co-hosting some sessions as well. Beth holds her Masters in Education and has been teaching for 15+ years. Scott has his MBA and has been CEO of StartingBlock since 2023.
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Where is StartingBlock?We are located on floors 2, 3 and 4 in the Spark Building above American Family DreamBank. 821 E Washington Ave Madison, WI