Launchpad
Create what you think should exist
Our flagship program, allowing students and post-docs from all faculties and departments to become founders and changemakers in their fields—bolstering their resumes and early-career experience, building entrepreneurial thinking skills, and encouraging participants to make an impact by finding problems worth solving.
Participants focus on skill-building & learning entrepreneurial thinking skills
Receive up to $1000 in project funding to support startup costs
Launchpad culminates in the Liftoff! pitch competition with cash prizes
What is Launchpad?
Launchpad is a six-month, co-curricular program, aiming to build entrepreneurial thinking skills in undergraduates and graduate students, post-docs, and researchers from every faculty at the University of Calgary. Individuals and teams with a social venture or startup idea are encouraged to apply for the program in September.
Through a series of weekly presentations (Launchpad Live) alongside workshops with coaches, an interactive online learning system, and a final pitch competition (Launchpad Liftoff! Competition) in March, participants are able to hone their entrepreneurial skills to make an impact in their respective industries and fields of study.
The Launchpad program teams are supported with additional relevant workshops alongside each Launchpad Live weekly presentation and have a dedicated coach to help create their Entrepreneurial Journey Plan containing the key deliverables they will build throughout the course. Those who complete key deliverables may be eligible to receive up to $1000 in Hunter Hub Startup Funding to help build their idea.
Launchpad Live
Not quite ready to join the Launchpad program but interested in honing your entrepreneurial thinking skills? The weekly Launchpad Live presentations are available to the greater public providing the UCalgary and greater Alberta innovation community and beyond with free weekly virtual seminars from leaders and changemakers.
Program Start Date
October 6, 2022
Program End Date
March 31, 2023
How to Apply
Applications due by September 29. Please see ‘How do I apply?’ below.
Launchpad Live
Looking to attend the event series only? Sign up here.
Information Session
This information session was held on Tuesday, September 13 at 12:00 p.m., and includes information about how Launchpad works, including the time commitment required, and what resources are available to you at the Hunter Hub.
Key information
Did we miss your question? Email us directly at [email protected] to let us know what you're curious about, and we'll get back to you with answers.
Don't forget to watch our info session to learn more about the program.
Innovative individuals and teams who are eager to explore entrepreneurial thinking, build future ready skills they can bring into their respective careers, and expand on existing ideas are encouraged to apply for the program.
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Applicants must be part-time or full-time UCalgary undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, staff, and alumni up to 2 years.
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Applicants and team members must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
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Applicants and team members must reside in Alberta and be available to engage in all Launchpad program activities and attend the final pitch session in person.
The application procedure is slightly different if you are applying as an individual or part of a team.
Instructions for applying as an individual
Click here for the individual application form.
Instructions for applying as part of a team
If you are applying as a team, have one member of the team complete the main application form. All other team members must fill out a separate form here.
- Introduce entrepreneurial thinking and related skills to UCalgary participants via an interactive and engaging program
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Support participant’s efforts to make a positive social or business impact (i.e. find problems worth solving) in ways and areas that are meaningful to them
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Inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders through engaging presentations and hands-on workshops delivered by UCalgary faculty and founders as well as those from the local ecosystem
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Reinforce the experiential aspect of the program through $1,000 investment (application required) in participants’ prototype/build ideas
Do I need to be a UCalgary student to participate in the Launchpad program?
Participants must be part-time or full-time UCalgary undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, staff, and alumni up to 2 years.
Anyone can attend the Launchpad Live speaker series online.
Is the Launchpad programming virtual or in-person?
Launchpad Live will be in-person for program participants, but will be virtually provided for anyone who wants to attend from a broader public. The Launchpad workshops are offered virtually for program participants.
How do my colleagues and I apply as a team?
If you are applying as a team, have one member of the team complete the main application form. All other team members must fill out a separate form here.
Who can attend the speaker series?
Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend! The sessions will be virtual so you have access no matter your location.
How will the Hunter Hub be handling concerns regarding COVID-19?
Our team is following the University of Calgary’s guidelines in exercising caution and awareness when planning Launchpad. For any in-person workshops, we will be encouraging attendees to wear masks, ensuring capacity limits are closely monitored, and Facilities Management is paying close attention to ventilation systems.
The speaker series will be available both in-person and online, with limited attendees in each session.
Click here for UCalgary’s full COVID-19 response.