AmPac Entrepreneur Development

Leap 2 Launch
Entrepreneur Development
Program

A 12-month structured cohort program built to move entrepreneurs from idea to execution — and from execution to scale. Powered by AmPac Business Capital's Capital, Coaching & Community framework.

Apply to the Program Explore the Tracks
12
Month Program
2
Completed Cohorts
10
Total Graduates
$4.2M+
Capital Incubated
The Two Tracks

One Program. Two Pathways.

Leap 2 Launch meets entrepreneurs where they are — whether you're building your foundation or ready to scale.

Track 1

The Leap Program

For early-stage entrepreneurs building their business foundation. Pre-revenue, newly launched, or in your first few years — the Leap Program gives you structure, coaching, and capital connections to move forward with confidence.

  • 12-month structured cohort experience
  • Business planning, marketing, operations & financial training
  • Peer cohort accountability and expert mentorship
  • Formal 30-point judged pitch graduation
  • Access to the 3,000+ member Entrepreneur Ecosystem upon graduation

Participation Model

$1,000 deposit to join

At graduation, you pitch to a panel of judges and compete for a grant award.

Apply — Leap Program
Track 2

The Launch Program

For seasoned, scale-stage businesses ready to grow aggressively. You have revenue, a proven concept, and you're ready for executive-level coaching and serious capital access.

  • 12-month executive coaching group format
  • Strategic growth, capital readiness & operational systems
  • Executive peer group with accountability structure
  • Direct introduction to AmPac's capital network and lending programs
  • Qualify for SBA loans, CDFI lending, or investor capital at completion

Participation Model

Monthly membership fee

At completion, qualify for a loan or investment from a traditional lender or capital partner.

Apply — Launch Program
Our Framework

Built on the 3 C's

Capital. Coaching. Community. The foundation of everything AmPac builds — applied as a 12-month structured transformation.

Capital

Direct access to SBA 504, 7(a) Community Advantage, microloans, CDFI lending, Down Payment Assistance, Veteran Advantage, and state guaranty programs. Participants leave with real capital relationships — not just knowledge about them.

Coaching

Facilitated curriculum including the Building Business Owners (BBO) workbook, EOS Vision/Traction Organizer, financial management frameworks, and the Entrepreneurial Leap 1-2-3 Roadmap — covering business planning, finance, marketing, operations, and strategic growth.

Community

Every graduate enters the 3,000+ member Entrepreneur Ecosystem. Inaugural alumni return as mentors for incoming cohorts — creating a living, growing network where experience flows forward continuously.

What Happens Over 12 Months

Q1

Foundation

Business model clarity, market positioning, competitive analysis, and value proposition development.

Q2

Operations

Financial management, bookkeeping, cash flow, P&L, and operational systems that scale.

Q3

Growth

Marketing strategy, brand development, customer acquisition, and 1-3-10 year vision/traction planning.

Q4

Capital & Pitch

Capital readiness, pitch preparation, and a formal 30-point judged pitch graduation ceremony.

Pitch Graduation

You Don't Just Complete the Program.
You Earn Your Graduation.

Every Leap participant graduates by delivering a 3-minute business pitch, scored by a panel of judges on a 30-point rubric. Real accountability for real results.

10 pts

Quality of Pitch

Scored "unclear" (0–3) to "compelling" (9–10). Tests how effectively you communicate your business in 3 minutes.

10 pts

Business Structure & KPIs

Scored "not identified" (0–3) to "actively used" (9–10). Tests whether you run your business by metrics.

10 pts

Growth & Program Impact

Scored "minimal" (0–3) to "significant" (9–10). Tests the measurable lift produced during your 12 months.

Program History

Two Cohorts. Real Results.

From an 18-month pilot to a refined 12-month model — the Leap 2 Launch Entrepreneur Development Program has completed two cohorts and set a clear trajectory.

Previous Cohort Inaugural

2023–2024 Cohort

The 18-Month Pilot That Proved the Model

10
Graduates
18
Months
$2.5M
Capital Coached

The 2023–2024 class was the first-ever cohort of the Leap 2 Launch Entrepreneur Development Program — and they ran an extended 18-month pilot format. Ten entrepreneurs committed to the full journey, putting in the work to build, validate, and strengthen their businesses under AmPac's Capital, Coaching & Community framework.

This inaugural class established the proof of concept. The insights from their 18 months directly shaped the refined 12-month curriculum now used in every cohort that follows. Their participation — and their businesses — are the foundation of this program's track record.

The 18-Month Journey

Months 1–4 · Foundation

Business model clarity, market analysis, value proposition, and initial financial baseline. Goals set for the full program.

Months 5–9 · Operations & Finance

Financial management, bookkeeping, cash flow, 12-month projections, and capital readiness work begins.

Months 10–14 · Marketing & Growth

Brand development, customer acquisition strategy, and 1-3-10 year vision using the EOS Traction Organizer.

Months 15–18 · Capital & Graduation

Capital request development, lender introductions, and program graduation. Learnings from this phase informed the formal 30-point pitch rubric introduced in Cohort 2.

2023–2024 Graduate Roster — Inaugural Class

#EntrepreneurRecognition
1Charles CarterFounding Alumnus
2Clarence BillingseaFounding Alumnus
3David NamaziFounding Alumnus
4Diana McKeeFounding Alumnus
5John EdgarFounding Alumnus
6Lionel ThomasFounding Alumnus
7Mandy JohnsonFounding Alumnus
8Marie VernonFounding Alumnus
9Milly GoliaFounding Alumnus
10Stephanie WellsFounding Alumnus

They Were the Test Case

The 18-month format generated the data needed to build the refined 12-month model that defines the program today.

Graduation: December 18, 2023

AmPac Entrepreneur Ecosystem · Ontario, CA · Judged pitch competition with remarks from the Office of Congresswoman Norma Torres & Assembly Member Eloise Reyes.

$2.5M in Capital Requests · $50,000 in Equity Grants

The inaugural class set the baseline that every cohort builds from. Ten founders, one proof of concept.

Graduation Video

In the Press

IE Business Journal

AmPac Business Capital Announces Graduates from Leap 2 Launch Entrepreneur Development Program
Previous Cohort Completed

2024–2025 Cohort

The 12-Month Refined Program — 10 Graduates

10
Graduates
12
Months
$4.2M+
Capital Incubated

The refined 12-month cohort matched the inaugural class in graduates — 10 entrepreneurs across 9+ industries completing a fully structured program that culminated in a formal 30-point judged pitch graduation. Combined capital requests reached $4.2M+, up 68% from the inaugural year, and the program produced equity grants of $50,000 — 10x growth from Cohort 1.

$4.2M+
Capital Incubated
9+
Industries
$50,000
Grants Awarded

Program Leadership

Brian Kennedy Jr. — Program Lead, AmPac
Florin Diumea — Cohort Leader, Bright Business Project
Hilda Kennedy — Founder & President, AmPac

2024–2025 Graduate Roster

#EntrepreneurBusinessIndustry
1Bill Cortus529-MAXFinancial Education
2Michael GarciaI Love My CRMTechnology / CRM
3Miguel GonzalezMFP FitnessHealth & Fitness
4Eddie PasillasSid Opportunity LLCRetail / E-Commerce
5Philip VegaNorthwestern MutualFinancial Services
6Kevin GonzalezEmpire Custom PrintsCustom Apparel
7Alba CastroAvaris Hair SalonBeauty & Personal Care
8Jessica LopezYS AestheticsAesthetics / Skincare
9Betty CarlosMy Skeleton HeartCreative / Artisan
10Osbaldo AcostaAcosta Staffing LLCStaffing & Workforce

Graduation Video

In the Press

AmPac.com

AmPac's Leap 2 Launch Program Celebrates Second Annual Graduation — $50,000 Awarded to California Entrepreneurs

Year-Over-Year Program Growth

Metric2023–2024 Inaugural2024–2025 CohortGrowth
Program Duration18 months (pilot)12 months (refined)Optimized
Participants / Graduates1010Sustained
Industries Represented5+9++80%
Capital Requests Incubated$2,500,000$4,200,000++68%
Equity Grants Awarded$50,000$50,000Sustained
Pitch Graduation FormatInformal presentation10 pitches, 30-pt rubricFormalized
Premium Tier

Executive Incubator

A Standalone Program for Cities, Counties & Organizations

The Executive Incubator is AmPac's premium, fully customized model — built on the Leap 2 Launch framework but deployed as a standalone program for municipalities, economic development agencies, and organizations that want to invest in their business community at a higher level.

What Makes It Different

Higher-Level Program Design

Built on the Leap 2 Launch model but elevated — deeper curriculum, more intensive coaching, and customized deliverables built around your community's specific needs.

12-Month Structured Format

The proven 12-month framework, adapted to your organization's timeline, cohort size, and program goals — with AmPac managing curriculum and delivery end to end.

Measurable Outcomes & Reporting

Comprehensive reporting on participant growth, capital incubated, pitch performance, and community impact — giving funders and stakeholders clear, defensible ROI.

Turnkey Partnership with AmPac

AmPac handles program design, curriculum delivery, mentorship, and capital connectivity. You bring the community and the mission — we bring the model.

Case Study

City of Ontario Executive Incubator

AmPac deployed the Executive Incubator model for the City of Ontario — a fully branded, city-sponsored incubator program built on the Leap 2 Launch framework. Now in its second year, the result is a scalable, repeatable model the City builds upon year after year, with professional program management and measurable community impact.

2
Cohorts
$10K
Grants ('23)
✓
Repeatable

Ontario Incubator — Inaugural Cohort · December 2023

City of Ontario Incubator 2023 — $10,000 Winners Check City of Ontario Incubator 2023 — Graduating Class

2025 Graduation Video

AmPac.com

City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program Graduation 2025

Bring This to Your Community

The Executive Incubator model is available for cities, counties, chambers of commerce, CDFIs, and economic development organizations. If you want to launch a high-impact, accountable incubator with measurable outcomes — let's build it together.

Schedule a Discovery Call

Ready to Leap, Launch, or Partner?

Whether you're an entrepreneur ready to grow, or an organization ready to invest in your business community — there's a path here for you.

Apply — Leap Apply — Launch Exec Incubator

Program Lead: Brian Kennedy Jr. — Bkennedyjr@ampac.com