LaunchPad Student Programs
Our programs offer hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and financial support to jumpstart your career as an innovative employee or founder. Enhance your resume with real-world projects, connect with industry leaders, and benefit from stipends to focus on skill development. Join a collaborative community where mentorship and practical learning drive success in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Open to all full or part-time registered students, regardless of degree or program, our inclusive approach values diverse perspectives and knowledge, recognizing that innovation happens across sectors. Your background and expertise will be highly appreciated and contribute significantly to your success in our programs.
Innovation Sprint
5 Weeks | $500 Stipend | No Experience Needed
Launch your career in just five weeks by working with diverse students to solve complex business problems, expand your network, and gain valuable career skills. Applications open spring 2025 for Fall!
Learn more
HealthTech Challenge
4 Months | $1000 Stipend | No Experience Needed
Join a team to develop hardware innovations for health sciences, learning from award-winning experts and leveraging MRU resources to create impactful solutions. Applications open Fall 2025 for Winter 2026!
Learn more
Ideas Lab
8 Weeks | $1000 Stipend | Apply With Your Business Idea
Build the foundation of your business in eight weeks with the support of entrepreneurial coaches and mentors, from idea generation to launch. Applications open spring 2025 for Fall!
Learn more
JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
Competition Event | Up to $70,000 in Prizes | Must Have a Business Idea to Pitch
Compete for $70,000 in prizes in one of Alberta's top student pitch events, showcasing your innovative ideas to alumni, faculty, students, and investors. Applications are open from January - Febrary for the annual April event.
Learn more
Tech Liftoff - Business
8 Months | $2000 Stipend | For Business Students
Engage with top-tier tech leaders, learn industry best practices, and bring your tech product to market with the support of expert mentors and potential co-founders. Applications open spring 2025 for Fall!
Learn more
Tech Liftoff - Computing
8 Months | $2000 Stipend | For Computing Students
Engage with top-tier tech leaders, learn industry best practices, and bring your tech product to market with the support of expert mentors and potential co-founders. Applications open spring 2025 for Fall!
Learn moreMentorship
Open to all students
Whether you’re working on a budding idea or already having a business started, our team of Entrepreneur Development Officers are here to help you with their expertise and resources.
Meet our teamAmbassadors
Open to past program participants
If you’ve been part of the LaunchPad community through programs, mentorship, or events, we’d love to have you as an ambassador!
Learn moreconnectFirst Social Entrepreneurs
Open to all students
This program is currently closed, please fill out the waitlist form below to be contacted with future opportunities and program updates.
Join the waitlistSide Hustle Expo
Competition Event | Prizes | Must Have a Business Idea to Apply
A dynamic showcase and market where student entrepreneurs set up trifold displays featuring various products and services. Runs in February.
Our alumni: where are they now?
Paul cultivated his business as a student, then grew it into western Canada’s first commercial vertical farm. Growing over 700 kg of fresh, delicious and sustainable greens, Paul is tackling food insecurity across the city.
Paul Shumlich
Aislinn pitched Aisy Cakes in 2013 on the JMH LaunchPad stage, winning $7,500 and using that experience to launch her entrepreneurial journey. Now the founder of Grant Design, a boutique branding studio working with major brands like WestJet and Lululemon.
Aislinn Grant
In 2014, Derek Rucki and Stefan Radeta wowed the LaunchPad audience with their bold goal to rival Nike and Garmin with their TLink Golf watch, selling over 15,000 units and earning awards like Calgary’s Best Consumer Startup. Now, Derek co-founded InspiredGo, delivering over 2 million meals across Western Canada, while Stefan serves as CTO of Caret, an award-winning tenant engagement platform.
Stefan Radeta and Derek Rucki
We are here to help you.
Every year we help over 100 MRU students find their passions in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Meet our team View upcoming events