Founders of the Week: Philippa Portnoy and Teresa Saputo-Crerend

• Philippa Portnoy and Teresa Saputo-Crerend created LaunchBreak to tackle burnout and boost workplace wellbeing through meaningful breaks that reconnect teams and spark creativity.
• Drawing on experience in corporate strategy, people development and mental health, the pair combine commercial insight with a deep understanding of human performance.
• Both founders are passionate about redefining productivity, showing that rest, connection and play are essential ingredients for innovation and success.
• Under Philippa and Teresa’s guidance, LaunchBreak has become a go-to solution for organisations seeking happier, more engaged teams.

Tell Us About Yourself and LaunchBreak

LaunchBreak is a free professional and shared interest platform for women athletes who compete(d) at the collegiate, national/Olympic or professional level.

We have over 2,200 members all joining for the camaraderie, mentor matching, professional development, and our job board. This is the place for these athletes to go to prepare for life after the game.

What Inspired You to Start LaunchBreak? What Problem Were You Aiming To Solve?

The genesis of our company was quite simply our experience as tennis teammates at Columbia University in the 1980s. There were lots of challenges integrating women into the program and our team became closer for it.

Our core squad has remained tight over the decades…not just personally but opening doors and opportunities professionally as well. We wanted to replicate this on a grander scale, so LaunchBreak was born.

What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge So Far? How Did You Overcome It?

Keeping up with the day-to-day responsibilities while keeping a visionary eye on how to grow the business. When you bootstrap a company and put your all into it, there are decisions to be made like: when do we bring employees on? When do we raise money? How do we create the space in our days to focus on what we should be focusing on, versus just the everyday details?

Can You Describe A Pivotal Moment That Significantly Shaped the Direction of LaunchBreak?

We knew from the beginning that individuals believed in us. People were joining every day with comments like: “I’ve been looking for a platform like this!” But when organizations and leaders of women athlete organizations wanted in, we knew we were really on to something.

How Do You Define Success? 

For Your Business: Member growth, member engagement, reception in the marketplace.

As A Founder: oing something that despite the day-to-day demands, doesn’t feel like work.

What Advice Would You Give To Someone Considering Launching Their Own Startup?

Make sure you have the bandwidth and a partner that you trust. It also helps to have a partner that will share the burden of the ups and downs of life that can get in the way of a workday!

What’s Next For LaunchBreak? Are There Any Exciting Developments We Should Keep An Eye Out For?

We are on the cusp of bringing on some exciting sponsors and exciting programming that will bring LaunchBreak to life!

Want to be featured as TechRound’s Founder of the Week? Find out more about this weekly feature and how to get involved here.

Founders’ Five with Philippa Portnoy and Teresa Saputo-Crerend

Business success is only part of the story. So, to uncover the inspiration and drive behind this professional duo, we’ve put together TechRound’s exclusive Founders’ 5 with Philippa Portnoy and Teresa Saputo-Crerend, the innovative founders of LaunchBreak.

1. Favourite Business Tool?

Still Google for all it offers but Circle is coming in a close second as they house our community.

2. One Lesson You’ve Learned the Hard Way?

There’s really no “off” button. You have to make sure you create one so you can recharge. Just like athletes do! Everyone needs a little recovery period.

3. A Future Trend You’re Watching?

AI for mentor matching in communities…will it really work or do we need the personal touch here?

4. One Quote You Live By?

“There’s no such thing as a sunk cost.”

5. A book/podcast you recommend?

Teresa is a tennis junkie: I listen to “The Tennis Podcast”, “Served with Andy Roddick”, “Tennis, Anyone? with Michael Kosta” and “Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast”.

I run five days a week which helps clear my head and I listen to these on my run. I’m always all caught up!

Philippa prefers “GOALS – The Business Case for Women’s Sports” and “Boss Babe”.

Want to be featured as TechRound’s Founder of the Week? Know someone who deserves to be recognised as a founder making waves in the startup landscape? Find out more about this weekly feature and how to get involved here.