What is CodeLaunch?

CodeLaunch isn’t just another startup pitch competition—it’s a unique accelerator that combines venture funding opportunities with professional software development resources. Startups selected for the program go through a multi-stage curation process: from applications, to cohort selection, to semifinals, and finally to the draft where a handful of finalists are chosen to pitch live on stage.

What makes CodeLaunch special is its focus on pairing promising startups with “dev shops”—development partners who can help accelerate their product and bring their vision to life. For founders, this means the chance to walk away not only with exposure and connections, but also with real resources to propel their company forward.

For Collars, CodeLaunch represented exactly that: a chance to amplify our mission of transforming hiring in the trades. With support from development partners and the visibility of competing on stage, CodeLaunch could have helped us move faster toward building the platform that tradespeople and employers need.

The Application: Setting the Stage

We came into the application process with a clear vision for Collars: a platform built to transform hiring in the trades. Having that vision already in place made preparing our application smoother—we weren’t just filling in forms, we were telling a story we had been refining for years.

The Cohort: Over 140 Startups, and a Tonight Show Spoof

From hundreds of applicants, Collars was accepted into the CodeLaunch cohort of over 140 startups. To stand out, we submitted a spoof of The Tonight Show as our appeal video. It was lighthearted and creative, but it also showed who we are: a team serious about our mission, unafraid to think differently, and ready to put our personality into everything we do.

Shortly after, we filmed our “We’re early, but we’re ready” video, officially accepting our spot in the cohort at Gilly’s in Dallas—the same venue that would later host the finals. It was our way of saying: we’re here, and we’re ready to grow.

The Semifinals: Homework and a Full Pitch

Cohort acceptance was just the beginning. Next came homework—a detailed submission about our startup, our business model, and our vision for growth. That deep dive was our chance to put Collars under the microscope and show the judges we were ready for the next step.

From there, we advanced to the semifinals, joining a group of fewer than 30 startups chosen from the original 140+. In this round, we gave a full pitch and answered questions from the organizations who would eventually draft the finalists. It was intense, but it gave us the chance to refine our message and stand confidently behind what Collars is building.

The Final 9: Draft Eligible

Our hard work paid off—we were named to the Final 9 draft-eligible teams. Watching the reveal livestream, hearing Collars called as one of the top startups, was a huge moment for our team.

From those 9, only 4 startups would be drafted to pitch live on stage in Dallas. When the final list was announced, our name wasn’t on it.

The Draft and What’s Next

Sure, there was disappointment in not making the Final 4. But the bigger feeling was pride—pride in advancing from a field of 140+ startups all the way to the Final 9. That journey gave us invaluable feedback, sharpened our focus, and reinforced that Collars is solving a real problem worth fighting for.

We’re grateful to the CodeLaunch team for creating an accelerator that challenges and celebrates founders. And we’re cheering on this year’s finalists as they take the stage—you’ve earned it.

Behind the Scenes

Along the way, we documented our experience—filming our Tonight Show spoof, laughing through the edits, walking around Gilly’s in Dallas, and reacting to the livestream reveal. Those clips tell the story behind the story: a team driven by passion, ready to build, and learning at every step.

Collars is on a mission to build a better future for the trades—connecting applicants and employers through real relationships and lasting careers. CodeLaunch was an incredible chapter in that story, and it’s only the beginning.

Sign up for early access, and be part of what’s next.