Have an idea or business? Our LaunchPad programs can help you grow further, faster.
Participants of LaunchPad have joined Calgary's fastest-growing companies, sold their company for $35M, got into a bidding war on Dragon's Den, and launched social enterprises that make our city a better place.
Ready to pick the right LaunchPad program for you?
LaunchPad welcomes students at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Click below to discover more about each of our programs!
JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
Our JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition welcomes over 300 attendees to experience the incredible entrepreneurial talent at MRU. With $70,000 in prizes up for grabs, it’s one of the biggest student pitch competitions in the province. This pitch competition brings together our amazing alumni, faculty, fellow students, and investors interested in hearing about the next great idea.
Before the competition, students work hand-in-hand with a collection of seasoned entrepreneurs and coaches to develop their business and pitch. All students in degree programs from across campus are welcome to apply. You do not have to be in a particular faculty or program to apply.
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How To Apply
Applications for the 2023 JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition are now closed and will reopen in February 2024.
Learn more about the JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
Frequently asked questions
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Founder's Fund
MRU students in degree programs are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 through the Founders Fund. The Founders Fund supports student founders in testing and growing their idea by removing financial barriers to exploring their business.
How to apply:
- Apply here! Fill out the application and include as much detail as possible.
- If chosen, one of our mentors will schedule a pitch time and practice pitch with you.
- Have an unsuccessful pitch? Don't worry, it's not a no, it's a not yet! We’re always here to support you in your entrepreneurial growth (and 2nd pitches)!
- Have questions before applying? Book a meeting with our mentor Diana to chat about your idea.
Rules:
- Eligible individuals must be full-time or part-time MRU students in good standing registered in a degree program at Mount Royal University (note: Open Studies students do not qualify).
- Students applying must own a meaningful ownership position and have an active leadership role in the proposed venture. A “meaningful ownership position” generally means 20% or more of the venture, not including financial investors.
- If funds are granted and the business is owned by multiple students, the funds will either be distributed to the student pitching or divided amongst those with a significant ownership stake.
LaunchPad Lab
LaunchPad Lab is for MRU's makers, creators, builders, and entrepreneurs.
If you have a business or social-enterprise idea or existing business, Launchpad Lab is the program for you!
This 8-week entrepreneurial incubator is for students who want to create a business, but aren't quite sure where to start. With the help of our 3 expert mentors and interactive exercises, you'll take your idea/business to the next level. Validate your idea, figure out your next steps, and much, much more. You’ll join 9 other driven students/teams pursuing their ideas and businesses to form a tight-knit community of student-entrepreneurs. You’ll come out of LaunchPad Lab with a game plan for your business/idea, new friends and networks, and skills that will serve you for your whole career. Each of the 10 students or teams chosen will get $1000 to put towards their business. This is the chance you've been waiting for.
Applications for the Fall session of LaunchPad Lab are open until Sunday, October 2nd at midnight and will reopen for Winter session on Friday, November 4th.
Click below to learn more and apply!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For sure! Members of the LaunchPad Community come from across campus, with diverse backgrounds and goals. Regardless of your business model, we are here to help!
100%! We always encourage you to enroll in MRU’s Entrepreneurship classes, but if you cannot take the classes for whatever reason, we would still love to see you get involved. There’s a LaunchPad program for you whether you have an idea, you have started running a venture, or you have a changemaking idea.
This program is for you whether you have an idea, you have started running a venture, or you have a changemaking idea.
- Gain access to a community of entrepreneurs on campus and in the Calgary Innovation Ecosystem
- Receive coaching and mentorship from the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's team, your peers and alumni founders
- Apply for up to $2,500 in funding through the Founders Fund
- Apply for the JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
- Join us for our monthly meetups
- Gain access to the Slate Innovation Lab, an innovation space on campus
Sound like a fit for you? Do you still have questions? Book a 15-minute meeting with one of our on-campus innovation coaches.
