Here are 3 applications that will allow you to start an application faster and with out mouse.
1. Speed Launch
This is from Microsoft Employees. (This is the first community prototype from Office Labs. Community prototypes are projects Microsoft employees work on in their spare time.). You can add shortcuts and can use very effectively in your working environment. You can get the application from third party websites as the link to their page is removed
2. Executor
This is a multi purpose launcher and a more advanced and customizable version of windows run. The program originated as I was sick of spending too much time searching for programs through my ever growing windows start-menu, and also I missed a tool that could ease and optimize my daily work flow. Read More and Download
3. Launchy
Launchy is a free windows and linux utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes. Read more and Download