Building a sustainable business ecosystem requires capturing innovation at its earliest stage. While mature small businesses need capital and advanced technology strategies to scale, aspiring entrepreneurs and pre-revenue startups require an entirely different foundation: a clear, structured roadmap to transform an idea into a legally compliant, market-ready enterprise.
Recognizing this vital economic need, the Charles County Economic Development Department (EDD) has officially selected Will Holmes and Will Holmes Consulting (WHC) to facilitate LaunchPad Charles County—the county’s premier entrepreneurship training initiative designed to support early-stage ventures.
Empowering Early-Stage Ventures via LaunchPad Charles County
LaunchPad Charles County is an intensive, four-month pilot program created to eliminate the traditional barriers that prevent new entrepreneurs from accessing critical small business resources.
Led by WHC’s award-winning curriculum, this initiative provides selected participants with a structured pathway to master the fundamentals of business execution. The program offers:
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100% Virtual Instruction: Maximizing accessibility and flexibility for busy founders juggling early-stage operations.
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Actionable Frameworks: Hands-on training covering business formation, regulatory compliance, strategic financial management, and sustainable market penetration.
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Expert Mentorship & Networking: Continuous access to real-world subject-matter experts and local business support organizations.
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Post-Graduation Continuity: Seamless transition into peer mentoring networks, including the “Circles of Seven” accountability groups to maintain long-term business momentum.
A Proven Partnership for Economic Growth in Southern Maryland
This selection represents a deepening partnership between Charles County and WHC. Previously, WHC successfully delivered the Business Growth Advantage Program for the county, providing the practical toolsets that enabled local business owners to significantly scale their bottom lines.
By choosing WHC to lead this new pilot, Charles County is relying on a firm with an unparalleled statewide track record. Since 2006, WHC has guided over 12,000 entrepreneurs, and its structured training models boast an impressive statistic: over 80% of program graduates increase their revenue and create new jobs within their communities.
“Early-stage founders don’t fail because they lack passion; they fail because they lack a repeatable process. LaunchPad Charles County gives them the exact operational infrastructure, legal clarity, and financial compliance they need to survive the critical first years of business.” — Will Holmes, Founder of WHC
Building the Future of Maryland’s Small Business Infrastructure
For government agencies and regional councils, the launch of LaunchPad Charles County serves as a premier blueprint for modern government economic development programs. By investing in structured training before a business applies for loans or commercial space, the county effectively lowers failure rates and maximizes the long-term ROI of its local business ecosystem.
The 2026 pilot schedule runs throughout the summer, preparing a new class of certified entrepreneurs to enter the regional marketplace with the tools, capital readiness, and strategic insight required to win corporate and municipal contracts.
Are you looking to launch a high-impact, turnkey entrepreneurship training initiative in your municipality or region? Send us a message below.