LaunchPad Brantford
LaunchPad Brantford is an on-campus incubator dedicated to supporting current Laurier students, Laurier alumni and the wider community with turning your business dreams into a reality. Whether you have tested your idea through Laurier's innovative curriculum and co-curricular experiences, or if it's still an untested idea, you can apply to LaunchPad Brantford to bring your entrepreneurial ideas to life.
The overall aim of LaunchPad Brantford is to support the growth of entrepreneurs and to teach life-long skills to those connected to Laurier Brantford. Our goal is to transform the Brantford start-up ecosystem and build a place where people can come together with their ideas to make them happen.
How We Help
Whether you have a new business idea, are growing an existing business or exploring how entrepreneurship can create change, we have the resources, expertise and networks you need to launch your venture.
LaunchPad Brantford provides a diverse set of programming, tailored to entrepreneurs at many different stages of business development.
Programming includes:
- online curriculum
- one-on-one coaching
- peer support
- mentorship
- access to professional services
- workshops
- a co-working space
- access to potential funding.
All advisors and mentors associated with LaunchPad Brantford have had business ownership experience and provide advice and support to business challenges and opportunities you may face in your endeavour.
Our Work in the Community
We strive to support entrepreneurs and to build a place where people can come with ideas and make them happen.
How are we different? We invite not only students and alumni into our program, but all local community members to create, innovate and to devise solutions that keep up with the emerging trends and issues we face in today’s business environment. Whether your goal is to create a venture with social purpose or launch Brantford’s next success story, we teach life-long and relevant skills to those connected to our Laurier Brantford community.
Our Programs
There is no better place to launch a new and innovative venture in the Brantford community than at Laurier. We offer a number of programs tailored to support all entrepreneurs, no matter the level of experience or stage of business development.
All programs are open to current Laurier students, Laurier Alumni, and community members living in Brantford, Brant County or Six Nations.
LaunchPad Foundations is the startup program offered to those that have a business idea or are in the very early stages of launching.
Check out LaunchPad Foundations if you:
- Have an idea you would like to turn into a business or social enterprise.
- Want to learn about entrepreneurship and how to launch your business.
- Are willing to share your experiences and journey with other like-minded innovators.
- Want to work in a creative and inspiring environment.
- Are dedicated to committing your time to the program to help grow yourself professionally and personally.
LaunchPad Connect is group of established business owners who connect on a regular basis through meetings, mentoring and events. It is an opportunity for you to learn from mentors who can help you manage the unique challenges of running your own business in a confidential and supportive environment.
Check out LaunchPad Connect if you are:
- A current business owner, looking to connect with peers and share experiences to help solve current business challenges in a confidential setting.
- Looking for an experienced mentor to provide advice and can help you stay focused and on track to achieve your goals.
- Searching for knowledge and tools about trends, solutions and best practices to keep your business relevant and ahead of the competition.
- Dedicated to preparing and meeting once per month.
- Focused on growing yourself professionally and personally
Join the Community Changemaker program, offered in partnership with the City of Brantford, to develop and launch a project that can make a positive impact in this community. This program is offered twice a year and all participants receive a certificate of completion from Wilfrid Laurier University. For more information and session dates, visit our registration page.