31 Visionaries with limited budgets and great ideas—including solutions to some of society’s biggest problems—need help with legal issues including entity formation, financing, intellectual property, and other organizational challenges, but the cost of professional advice is often prohibitive. That’s why San Diego State University started the Zahn Innovation Platform (ZIP) Launchpad, which offers students, faculty, and staff free resources to help start new ventures. Through a pro bono effort led by Andrew Skale, volunteer Mintz attorneys provide legal advice to some of the program’s social entrepreneurs. ZIP Launchpad participants can access a lab for printing 3D prototypes, mentorship from local entrepreneurs and executives, a network of investors, working capital grants of up to $5,000, a collaborative work space open 24/7, and workshops on start-up fundamentals. Receiving critical services for free reduces participants’ financial risk, including the cost of the learning curve. For entrepreneurs whose ventures provide social benefits but little or no profit—and are therefore less attractive to inves- tors—reducing start-up costs can make all the difference. ZIP Launchpad has helped students aspiring to launch enterprises focused on providing clean water for struggling communities in developing countries, collecting wasted food to alleviate hunger, and cleaning up environmental hazards. Once a month, Andrew and other Mintz attorneys hold office hours at ZIP Launchpad and meet with participants in scheduled, half-hour time slots. The Mintz team has included Monique Macek, Paul Brockland, and Ben Wagner. Andrew consults on basic intellectual property concerns. For example, Andrew and other Mintz attorneys helped a student formulate a strong IP strategy to protect his new brand. The student’s new company, Hoopla (for holistic plastic), makes innovative plastic products out of bio-based plant material to help save the environment. Exploring legal questions early in the start-up process helps avoid missteps. Before veteran Andrew Adrian discovered ZIP Launchpad, he spent two years pursuing his entrepreneurial dream on his own, and resorted to surfing the web for information. “My mentor was Google,” he said. With guidance from Mintz attorneys and others, his progress accelerated. Enabling borrowers to rent what they need when they need it, his company, LendIt, is now a successful community-based e-platform that reduces wasteful purchases. Now that he’s discovered ZIP Launchpad, Adrian is excited to spread the word to other socially minded entrepreneurs, especially fellow veterans. Mintz support extends beyond workshops and office hours. “The enthusiasm the attorneys bring to their interactions, and the knowledge they share, is very empowering,” said ZIP Launchpad Executive Director Cathy Pucher. “For students, the experience is life-changing in terms of how they’ll interact with legal professionals in the future,” she said. Nurturing Students Developing Social Enterprises “Mintz is the cornerstone of our program. I don’t think we could be what we are without the firm.” Cathy Pucher Executive Director ZIP Launchpad