Launchpad LA is a huge leap forward for the LA community.  Supplying guidance and mentorship to start-up companies is exactly what they are all about.  Local GRP Partners VC Mark Suster founded Launchpad LA and has been very active in the LA community.  Here is clip from the site on why he decided the start it:

"The idea came from Mark’s frustration of seeing too many companies receive funding by Northern California VCs and then relocate their teams. Mark was further inspired by the aims and initiatives of John Morris, the former head of the Tech Coast Angels. The Launchpad LA initiative is a true collaboration amongst Los Angeles’ best VCs who have a shared interest in seeing a robust tech community continue to thrive in Los Angeles."

If you wish to be part of Launchpad LA you can apply here.  Here are their criteria for inclusion:

• Entrepreneurs who have developed interesting products with commercial potential and who have begun to assemble a team to take their product to market
• Only one individual per company will be selected
• The selection of new members will be made by the incumbent Launchpad LA class (so please don’t lobby Mark directly!)
• We accept applications at any time, but the new class will be selected in November. You will be notified by email if you are selected to join Launchpad LA

You can also checkout this interview we did with Mark which still rings very true today:

Here are a few more links to Mark that we have covered:

VC Outlook 09 Entrepreneurs Listen Up

A Fly on the Wall: Understanding the Metrics of Early Stage Funding

The LA Start-up Ecosystem