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StartUp Lab Brantford
StartUp Lab Brantford (formerly LaunchPad Brantford) is dedicated to helping innovators and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. Operating within the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, our programming is open to any student in any program at Laurier’s Brantford campus – and to community members and alumni.
Whether you've already tested your idea or you’re starting out with an untested concept, we provide the resources, expertise, and networks you need to launch and grow your venture.
Located at the Community Innovation Hub on the Laurier Brantford campus, we welcome students from all Faculties and programs – at all stages of the entrepreneurship journey.
We’ll help guide you through the Discovery, Idea, Build, and Growth phases, while teaching life-long skills needed to support you and your venture.
Events and Programming
StartUp Lab Brantford programming includes hands-on workshops, one-on-one coaching, peer support, and mentorship from experienced business owners, executives, and professionals. You'll also have access to a co-working space, professional services, and potential funding.
Join us at our Brantford events to connect with students, entrepreneurs, and mentors to learn how to build and grow your startup.
Apply to the StartUp Lab
Ready to join the StartUp Lab in Brantford? You can find the application on the StartUp Lab site.
Community Changemaker
In partnership with the City of Brantford, StartUp Lab Brantford is proud to offer the Community Changemaker program.
This program helps residents of Brantford develop and launch a project that makes a positive impact in the community.
How It Works
Offered in the fall, successful applicants participate in an intensive seven-week program learning about community development, project planning, marketing their initiative and project budgeting.
Participants then pitch their project idea to City of Brantford staff for potential funding for their idea.
All successful participants receive a certificate of completion from Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as skills in innovative problem-solving and community leadership.
Program Details
See details below with program dates and how to apply. What positive change will you inspire as a Community Changemaker?
The Community Changemakers Program is a collaborative initiative between StartUp Lab Brantford and the City of Brantford, where residents of Brantford are invited to propose and/or further develop a community project that will have a positive local impact.
This free 7-week program is open to Brantford residents aged 18 and over who are interested in creating positive change in their community. Each session will be led by an experienced professional in community innovation. You'll learn how to refine your idea, create a project proposal, build a budget, and prepare a presentation. You will also have dedicated time to work on your project.
The purpose of the Community Changemakers program is intended to help residents develop and implement community-facing projects that:
- Activate Brantford neighbourhoods, such as programs, events, or projects that make a neighbourhood more vibrant, safe, inclusive, and/or sustainable.
- Develop stronger relationships between neighbours and neighbourhood groups.
- Enable residents to become more actively involved in their community by creating positive change.
- Foster pride and a sense of local belonging.
Prospective applicants to the Changemaker’s Program are encouraged to review the City of Brantford’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan (2025-2029) to learn more about the local priorities and encourage alignment of proposed projects with the Plan’s goals.
Both individuals or groups of people residing in the City of Brantford are eligible to apply. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
The Changemaker program runs on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes the following key dates:
- Applications open: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
- Applications close: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
- Program Start: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
- Final Project Proposal Presentations: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
- Grant Awards & Celebration: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025
Participants will present their finalized proposals to the City of Brantford, with the opportunity to receive funding to implement their projects. The program wraps up with an awards celebration recognizing selected projects.
This program takes place on Wilfrid Laurier Brantford's beautiful campus at the Community Innovation Hub, MDC 103, 67 Darling Street, Brantford, ON.
All participants who complete the full program will receive a certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.
You will need to provide a basic budget in your application. Below are sample items you can include in your budget.
Eligible Expenses
To be eligible, an expense must be directly related to the project being funded. Some examples include:
- Office supplies, materials, and equipment
- Facility rental
- Permits (including park rental fees), maintenance and removal costs, and insurance
- Equipment/venue rental costs
- Fees for artists, demonstrators, or performers
- Refreshments for participants
The following costs cannot be included in your budget:
- Ongoing Operations: General operating costs like salaries, rent, or maintenance of existing services.
- Fundraising & Donations: fundraising efforts for the project. Donations to other groups, religious groups, or political parties.
- Duplicate Funding: Programs already funded or that have received funding from other sources.
- Personal & Membership Costs: Membership fees or scholarships for participants.
- Prohibited Purchases: Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or gambling expenses.
- Capital & Equipment Costs: Land, buildings, or general office equipment. Note: Project-specific equipment may be considered if its need is justified.
- Pre-approved Expenses: Reimbursement for expenses made before the project's approval.
- Non-Project Costs: Expenses not directly linked to the awarded project, such as souvenirs, travel, or accommodation.
- Fines & Penalties: Any fines or penalties.
Essential information for you to know about the Community Changemaker program:
How much does the program cost? There is no cost to participate in the Community Changemakers program.
How much time is involved? In person sessions will take place on Wednesdays, from 6:00 pm - 8:30pm, starting Oct. 8th and ending on Nov. 19th with a presentation and celebration event. There may be extra time required to work on your project outside of these sessions.
Do I have to have an idea or project planned before applying? Yes, as of fall 2025, the Changemakers program requires you to provide a brief overview of your proposed project and estimated budget with your application. The budget can be a rough outline, it doesn't need to be finalized.
How much funding can I/we receive? All ideas and projects will be presented to staff from the City of Brantford at the final session. The City of Brantford staff will determine which ideas are awarded funding and how much they will be awarded, up to a maximum of $2,000 per initiative.
If my idea is not awarded any funding, will I still receive a certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University? All participants who successfully complete the program and attend all seven sessions will still receive a certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.
You can find insipiration for your Community Changemaker idea by reviewing some sample projects from previous years:
- Neurodivergent Arts Collective: A drop-in arts space designed for neurodiverse individuals of all ages to engage in independent and collaborative art projects while building social connections.
- Activ4Kids Sports Experience: A low-barrier recreational program for parents and young children to explore a variety of sports together while strengthening bonds and encouraging active lifestyles.
- New Paths Brant:A project advocating for long-term sustainable, accessible, and supportive housing solutions for adults with disabilities.
- Eagle Place Community Pantry:A dedicated community pantry for fresh and shelf-stable foods and staples to be located in the Eagle Place Community.
- Shared Pulse: A program to promote cross-cultural connection, reduce social isolation in Newcomers and create relationship-building opportunities through a Bollywood-inspired dance program.
- The Little Neighbourhood That Could: A community engagement initiative to create and activate a health and wellness garden at City View Park.
- Book of Hope: A resource guide with inspirational quotes, colouring pages, and local mental health resources with 300+ copies given out to support Brantford and Six Nations communities.
- The Kindness Card Project: This initiative distributes greeting cards with a second stamped card inside, empowering vulnerable people in Brantford to fight loneliness and build community by giving them the opportunity to both receive support and help others.
- Books for Tiny Libraries: Create human connection and belonging through storytelling by delivering a diverse collection of kids’ books to tiny libraries that tell the stories of an array of marginalized people and communities.
After reading through all the information on this website, please complete the application form to show your interest in the Community Changemaker Program. We look forward to receiving your application!
- Applications open: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
- Applications close: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025