Tech Liftoff

For business students

Tech LiftOff offers an unparalleled opportunity for computing and business students to engage with top-tier CTOs and high-level tech managers in a series of informative talks on how they built their products. Learn about the tech industry’s inner workings, trends, and best practices, then work with expert product and computing mentors to build a product and bring it to market. Apply to Tech LiftOff to gain valuable insights, meet potential co-founders and mentors, foster innovation, and ideate tech solutions that can reshape industry.

Apply Program details

Are you a BCIS/BCS/BDS student?

Check out our Tech Liftoff program for Computing students

 

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Expand your industry expertise

Learn from Calgary CTOs and technical managers about building products for a tech company

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Add a unique experience to your resume

Build new products and services to solve real problems

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Get paid to build your technical skills

Link up with industry experts, expanding your circle for exciting career opportunities. Get ready to open doors!


Experience Tech LiftOff

In diverse teams of four you will:

  1. Develop a comprehensive game plan for your business/idea, connect with entrepreneurial coaches, and gain skills that will shape your entire career and business.
  2. Learn about emerging technology from senior-level technical managers and develop a game plan to launch your company.
  3. Uncover the secrets of working on a business and gain an exclusive inside perspective into the dynamic world of innovation.

 

Program details

 

Session info

Tech LiftOff 2024/2025 will begin on Oct. 22 and run for 8 months, applications for the Fall 2025 cohort will open in the Spring.

There will be a mandatory information session for all applicants who wish to be considered for the program in the Slate Innovation Lab.

Program requirements

  • Tech LiftOff is open to Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Computer Information Systems, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Bachelor of Data Science students. Only 18 participants will be admitted.
  • Participants must complete the 8-month program to receive the funding.
  • Participants must attend all in-person and mentoring sessions to receive the funding.

Apply to Tech Liftoff for business students

Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort have closed, please refer to the application below for what to expect when the Fall 2025 application open in the Spring.

Apply

Diana Grant-Richmond

Get in contact

Diana Grant-Richmond

Program manager

Diana a graduate of Mount Royal's General Management program (2017), a former founder (Unravelled Yarns), LaunchPad alumna, and an experienced mentor. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, volunteering, social innovation, technology, and supporting female-identifying innovators and entrepreneurs, particularly in creative disciplines. Diana brings 12 years of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and energy to her role. She is always available for a conversation, whether about an emerging idea, innovation, a new venture, or finding your next steps.

Book a meeting

 

Contact Erin at dgrantrichmond@mtroyal.ca if you have any questions or need support applying to the TechLiftOff.

For additional information on our other programs, contact us at info@innovate.com.

FAQs


Applying

How do I apply?

Fill out the application form to apply. If you require any support with filling out your application, email dgrantrichmond@mtroyal.ca for assistance.

Please note, there are 2 application forms; one for BCIS students and one for non-BCIS students. Please make sure to select the correct application form when applying.

 

Why should I apply?

Take this opportunity to gain valuable experience building an innovative hardware solution while simultaneously working with students and mentors from various backgrounds to build your product. After building your product, you will have the opportunity to present your product to an audience of fellow students, faculty, and members of the LaunchPad community!

 

 


General FAQs

How big are the teams?

Your teams will have 5 students, each with a specific focus. In addition to the students on your team, each group will have a senior student mentor and a faculty mentor who will provide guidance and mentorship to your team as you build your product.

 

Is this an internship?

This is not an internship; rather, it's a hands-on experience that will give you the opportunity to work closely with a team of students and mentors from various disciplines to create an innovative tech solution. At the end of this experience, you’ll have gained 8 months of transformative experience that can be added to your resume and portfolio, positioning you strongly for future internships or post-graduation positions.

 

What program do I need to be in to take part in TechLiftOff?

TechLiftOff is open to business and computing students.

 

If I have previously participated in Tech LiftOff, can I apply again?

We are excited that you enjoyed it so much you’d like to reapply. We want to ensure students get ample opportunity to take part so we encourage you to apply to our other programs we offer. You can check out our program page to learn more or reach out to our team to chat about the opportunities we can offer you.