How IslaLaunch Works
Our platform connects student talent with real-world projects through a streamlined, transparent process that benefits both students and companies.
The Complete Process
1. RFP Creation
Companies create detailed Request for Proposals (RFPs) outlining their project needs.
- •Standardized templates ensure all necessary details are captured
- •Clear scope, budget, milestones, and evaluation criteria
- •AI assistance helps refine project requirements
- •Option to make RFPs public or invite-only
2. Team Formation
Students build profiles, form teams, and submit proposals for projects that match their skills.
- •Students create verified profiles with skills, experience, and education
- •Form teams of 2-5 members with complementary skills
- •Lumen AI matches teams with relevant projects based on skills and interests
- •Teams submit detailed proposals with timelines, approaches, and budgets
3. Proposal Review
Companies review and select the best proposals with AI assistance.
- •Shard AI helps companies shortlist top proposals based on multiple criteria
- •Transparent scoring on technical feasibility, cost efficiency, and innovation
- •Companies can interview finalist teams before making decisions
- •Feedback provided to all teams, even those not selected
4. Contract & Escrow
Secure, standardized contracts and payment protection for both parties.
- •Students register as DBAs (Doing Business As) with platform assistance
- •Standardized milestone-based contracts with clear deliverables
- •Companies deposit funds into secure escrow
- •IP rights and confidentiality terms clearly defined
5. Delivery & Payment
Milestone-based work delivery with automatic payment releases.
- •Teams submit deliverables through the platform for each milestone
- •Companies review and approve completed work
- •Automatic release of funds from escrow upon approval
- •Two-way ratings and reviews build reputation for future projects
How It Benefits You
For Students
Real-World Experience
Work on actual projects for real companies, building your portfolio and resume
Earn While You Learn
Get paid for your work, unlike many unpaid internships or academic projects
Entrepreneurial Experience
Learn to bid, negotiate, manage projects, and deliver results as a mini-enterprise
AI-Powered Skill Development
Lumen AI identifies skill gaps and recommends targeted learning resources
Free Market Education
Access EduBot's resources on entrepreneurship and economic principles
For Companies
Reduced Hiring Costs
No payroll taxes, benefits, or HR overhead with DBA-based contracting
AI-Powered Proposal Evaluation
Shard AI helps shortlist the best proposals, saving time and improving selection
Project-Based Flexibility
Get work done without long-term commitments or full-time hires
Secure Milestone Payments
Only pay for approved deliverables with escrow-protected funds
Fresh Perspectives
Access innovative ideas and approaches from motivated student teams
Our AI-Powered Tools
Lumen
Student-Facing Matching & Upskilling
Connects students with the right projects and identifies skill gaps
- • Analyzes student profiles and project requirements
- • Recommends projects with highest match percentage
- • Identifies top 3 missing skills for each opportunity
- • Links to targeted micro-courses for skill development
Shard
Company-Facing Shortlisting & Evaluation
Helps companies evaluate and select the best proposals
- • Scores proposals on multiple criteria
- • Evaluates technical feasibility and cost efficiency
- • Provides transparent scoring rationale
- • Includes fairness audits and bias prevention
EduBot
AI-Powered Educational Assistant
Teaches free-market principles and entrepreneurship
- • Provides conversational Q&A with citations
- • Creates personalized learning paths
- • Connects to resources from partner organizations
- • Awards badges that integrate with your profile
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our platform
DBA stands for "Doing Business As," which is a business structure that allows students to operate as independent contractors. Students register a DBA name with their local government, allowing them to:
- Legally conduct business under a professional name
- Open business bank accounts
- Invoice clients and receive payments
- File taxes as a sole proprietor (Schedule C)
Our platform guides students through the DBA registration process, which is typically simple and inexpensive. This structure allows companies to hire student teams without the overhead of traditional employment.
Our payment process is designed to be secure and fair for both parties:
- When a proposal is accepted, the company deposits funds for the first milestone into our secure escrow system
- Students complete and submit the milestone deliverables through the platform
- The company reviews and either approves the work or requests revisions within a specified timeframe
- Upon approval, funds are automatically released from escrow to the student team's designated account
- This process repeats for each milestone until project completion
Our platform charges a small commission on successful projects, ensuring we're aligned with both parties' success.
Our platform supports a wide range of project types across various industries, including:
- Software development and web design
- Digital marketing and content creation
- Data analysis and research
- Graphic design and multimedia production
- Business strategy and market research
- Engineering and product design
Projects typically range from 2 weeks to 8 months in duration, with clear deliverables and milestones. We do not support ongoing, indefinite work arrangements or non-academic tasks like delivery driving or basic labor.
Our AI matching system, Lumen, uses several data points to connect students with relevant projects:
- Student profiles (skills, interests, past project success)
- Project requirements and specifications
- Current market demand for specific skills
The system uses natural language processing and machine learning to analyze these factors and calculate a "Match Percentage" for each student-project pairing. Students can see projects ranked by this match score, along with an explanation of why certain projects were recommended. The system also identifies skill gaps and suggests learning resources to improve match percentages.
For Students: As DBA operators, students are considered self-employed and will:
- Receive 1099-NEC forms for earnings over $600
- Report income on Schedule C of their personal tax returns
- Be able to deduct legitimate business expenses (software, equipment, training, home office, etc.)
- Be responsible for self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
For Companies: Payments to student teams are fully tax-deductible as business expenses under IRS Section 162. Companies avoid:
- Payroll taxes
- Benefits costs
- HR overhead (W-2s, I-9s, etc.)
Our platform automatically generates the necessary tax forms and provides guidance for both parties.
By default, companies retain ownership of all intellectual property created during projects. Our standard contracts include clear IP assignment clauses that specify:
- All deliverables and associated IP rights transfer to the company upon payment
- Students may request permission to include the work in their portfolios (with confidential information removed)
- Optional NDAs are available for projects involving sensitive information or proprietary technology
For special cases where students retain some IP rights or receive equity instead of cash, we offer alternative contract templates, though these arrangements are less common.
EduBot is our AI-powered educational assistant that helps students understand and apply free-market principles in their work. It provides:
- Interactive lessons on entrepreneurship, pricing strategies, negotiation, and economic freedom
- Curated resources from partner organizations like FEE, CRECE, Mises Institute, and AIER
- Personalized learning paths based on your interests and project needs
- Badges and certifications that integrate with your platform profile
By combining practical project work with these educational resources, students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience with free-market principles. This approach helps students understand not just how to complete projects, but how markets function and how to create value in a competitive economy.
We verify student eligibility through a multi-step process:
- Academic verification: Students provide .edu email addresses or upload enrollment documentation
- Recent graduates (within 2 years) can provide diplomas or transcripts from accredited institutions
- Skills verification: Students can connect profiles from GitHub, LinkedIn, or portfolio sites
- Optional certifications from partner organizations (universities, EdTech platforms, industry bodies) can be linked to profiles
Our platform is primarily designed for undergraduate and graduate students (typically 18-25), though we also accept specialized talent up to age 30 in certain fields.
Our platform includes a structured dispute resolution process:
- Direct resolution: Parties are encouraged to resolve issues through our messaging system first
- Mediation: If direct resolution fails, our support team mediates discussions to find a compromise
- Formal review: For complex disputes, our review panel (including industry experts) evaluates the case and makes a binding decision
- Escrow protection: Funds remain in escrow until disputes are resolved, protecting both parties
Our contracts include clear dispute resolution clauses, and our platform maintains detailed records of all communications and deliverables to facilitate fair resolutions.
Still have questions?
Our support team is ready to help you with any additional questions you might have.
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