Lighting Launchpad
Start using bitcoin in your business.
The Lightning Launchpad is Tennessee's gateway for merchants and entrepreneurs looking to harness the speed, efficiency, and freedom of Bitcoin's Lightning Network. Whether you're a retail shop, online vendor, food truck, or startup founder, this event equips you with everything you need to start accepting Bitcoin—fast, cheap, and securely.
Each Launchpad session is practical, focused, and designed to get you from “bitcoin curious” to “live” in a single day. You'll walk away with a functioning Lightning wallet, a tested point-of-sale flow, and the confidence to offer your customers a modern payment experience that aligns with the future of money.
What to Expect
Our quarterly workshops are held in-person at rotating locations across the state, with occasional virtual options for remote participants. Sessions begin with a crash course on Lightning and how it fits into the broader bitcoin ecosystem. Then we dive straight into demos and guided setup.
What You'll Learn
• How Lightning lets you collect bitcoin payments at near-zero cost – keep more revenue that usually goes to credit card network fees.
• What wallets and payment terminals work best for your business
• How to price in dollars while receiving bitcoin (and vice versa)
• The tradeoffs of self-custody vs. custodial setups
• How to integrate tipping, invoices, and ecommerce Lightning plugins
You'll also meet local businesses already using Lightning and hear what’s working—and what’s not—straight from the source.
Who Should Attend
If you run a business and you’re even slightly bitcoin-curious, this event is for you. No technical experience is required. Our sessions are especially useful for:
• Coffee shops, bars, and restaurants
• Retailers and event vendors
• Ecommerce and digital product sellers
• Independent contractors, freelancers, and service providers
• Civic groups and nonprofits exploring alternative donations
Featured Speakers and Instructors
Each month we invite guest speakers who share their real-world experience. You’ll hear stories of how bitcoin transformed their business operations, attracted new customers, and reduced payment friction. Instructors walk through live implementations, and volunteers are on-site to help troubleshoot as you go.
Reserve Your Spot
Spots are limited to maintain a hands-on, high-touch experience. Subscribe below to be the first to hear about upcoming Lightning Launchpad sessions near you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already have experience bitcoin?
Nope. We’ll help you get started from scratch.
Is there a cost to attend?
Launchpad is free to attend, thanks to support from local sponsors and volunteers. Just bring a phone or laptop.
Do I need to be technical?
Not at all. If you can use Venmo, you can use Lightning. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
What should I bring?
Bring your device (smartphone or laptop), a willingness to experiment, and any questions you have. We'll supply the rest—including test Bitcoin.