JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
ANNUAL EVENT | $70K+ IN PRIZES | APPLY WITH YOUR BUSINESS
Get ready for the JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition, where we spotlight MRU's best student entrepreneurs! With a hefty $70,000 in prizes on the line, it's the largest and longest-running pitch competition in Western Canada.
But wait, there's more - before the main event, team up with experienced mentors to fine-tune your business and pitch. Open to all degree-seekers from every corner of the campus.
Compete for funding
Unlock opportunities for up to $70k funding and essential resources to ignite your business.
Learn how to craft your story
Master the art of formulating and delivering a compelling pitch
Expand your network
Link up with industry leaders, alumni and past winners, expanding your circle for exciting career opportunities. Get ready to open doors!
A Transformative Experience for Student Entrepreneurs
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Derek Rucki, Co-Founder at Inspired Go
“Competing in LaunchPad is an opportunity to surround yourself with students who are doing something, if you’re an obsessive student entrepreneur it’s fun to be around other obsessive student entrepreneurs.”
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Alexandra Daignault, Founder of the Sarjesa Group
“I started to learn about the ways that businesses can tap into markets to solve social problems and it changed my whole perspective.”
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Paul Shumlich, Founder of Deepwater Farms
“Without that initial $10,000 we got from JMH, we wouldn’t have been able to make the mistakes we made, and learn from that and continue on. Without that, it wouldn’t have become Deepwater Farms and I wouldn’t be living out my dream.”
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![Rowan Dymond and Carmen Lim Winning at LaunchPad]()
Rowan Dymond and Carman Lim, Co-Founders of LookMa!
“Winning at JMH LaunchPad as a student entrepreneur removes a significant financial hurdle. It gives you a sense of belonging to a community that believes in you. Winning this award makes you feel like you have a team of experienced individuals in your corner, cheering you on and supporting you every step of the way.”
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Marc Nzogibwami, Acquisition Entrepreneur
"For me, it was an experience where I was able to come up with an idea from scratch, put some serious thought into it, and have a goal to work towards being on stage and pitch to 300 people, and get validation about whether or not this was actually a good idea.”
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Charter Beselt, Co-Founder of AVIS Drone Solutions
“Winning at JMH LaunchPad has been transformative for AVIS. Not only has it provided the financial resources to conduct crucial market research and make strategic investments, but it has also given me a significant boost in confidence personally. Knowing that a group of successful entrepreneurs believes in me and my vision is incredibly empowering.”
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Carille Mendoza, Co-Founder of Little Blue Cloud
“I hated public speaking, I didn’t want to present in class or anything. So, LaunchPad was the most intimidating thing. However, after going through LaunchPad, you get to think about what you really like doing because you get to do it all.
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Elissa Grohne, Founder of Upper Brand and Swearit
“LaunchPad is this incredible hub of students, instructors, and community members, coming together with the collective goal of building businesses in Calgary.”
Get in touch
Sydney Harder
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategist
Sydney holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with minors in Social Innovation and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. At the Institute, Sydney designs and delivers programs that help student entrepreneurs develop their ideas, strengthen their businesses and navigate the challenges of building a venture. Through founder-focused programming, mentorship and one-on-one coaching, she supports students at every stage, from exploring an emerging idea to growing a business already making sales. Before joining the Institute, Sydney founded a sustainable arts company and worked in program development at IncluCity Calgary, a local user experience startup.
Contact Sydney at sharder@mtroyal.ca if you have any questions or need support applying
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fill out the application and include as much detail as possible. If chosen, one of our mentors will schedule a pitch time and practice pitch with you. Have an unsuccessful pitch? Don't worry, it's not a no, it's a no not yet. We’re always here to support you in your entrepreneurial growth (and 2nd pitches)!
If you have questions before applying? Book a meeting with Sydney to chat about your idea.
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Absolutely! We're here to empower you to dive in. Our curated programs are designed to guide you towards the point where launching a business becomes a reality. Plus, we're a hub of vibrant community events waiting for you to jump in. Explore our event and program calendar for all the exciting details here.
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For sure! Members of the LaunchPad community come from across campus, with diverse backgrounds and goals. Regardless of your business model, we are here to help!
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100%! We always encourage you to enroll in MRU’s entrepreneurship classes, but if you cannot take the classes for whatever reason, we would still love to see you get involved. There’s a LaunchPad program for you whether you have an idea, you have started running a venture, or you have a changemaking idea.
Applying
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We are happy to accept applications from individuals or co-founding teams. If you have a co-founding team, we expect both team members to attend all pre-sessions to get the most out of the support we provide.
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Whether you are pursuing any degree program across campus, the LaunchPad Pitch Competition welcomes you. Our inclusive approach values diverse perspectives and knowledge, making it the perfect fit for students with varying degrees of business experience. Rest assured, you do not need business expertise to take part — sometimes less is more!