Ideas Lab
6 WEEKS | $1000 STIPEND | APPLY WITH A BUSINESS IDEA
If you've got an idea or a budding business ready for growth, Ideas Lab is the program for you.
In six transformative weeks you will take the idea you’ve been kicking around and turn it into a foundation you can build a business on. With coaching that meets you where you’re at we help you take the right next step in making your
Beyond the standard program. driven entrepreneurs gain access to extended personalized coaching and funding to bring their business to life.
Get paid
Earn $1,000 while developing your business idea over 6 weeks with opportunities for additional mentorship and funding.
Build a business
Discover the ins and outs of bringing your business idea to life in an engaging and supportive environment.
Expand your network
Link up with seasoned pros, expanding your circle for exciting career opportunities. Get ready to open doors.
Turn your good idea into a great idea with expert guidance.
Master the art of problem solving and other essential entrepreneurial skills.
Collaborate with a cohort of 9 other ambitious student teams, immersing yourself in a vibrant community of changemakers and trailblazers.
Develop a comprehensive game plan for your business/idea, connect with entrepreneurial coaches, and gain skills that will shape your entire career and business.
The Ideas Lab journey
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Meet your cohort, identify the problem your idea is solving, and start talking to real people to challenge the assumptions behind it.
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Keep validating your core problem through customer discovery, and start shaping your solution around the data you've gathered.
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Armed with real data about your problem and your customers, it's time to pivot or refine your idea with evidence based divergent thinking.
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Put your improved idea to the test. You'll pitch to a panel of judges who evaluate it on three fronts: desirability, feasibility, and viability.
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Now that you have a solid foundation, it's time to plan the business. Who are your competitors? How will you make money? What advantages can you leverage to get ahead right now?
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Program Showcase. Present everything you've built — your pitch, your evidence, and the story of how six weeks reshaped your idea.
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For driven students ready to turn an idea into a real business, we continue with funding and personalized coaching, supporting you as you build the traction you need to launch on your schedule.
Program details
Session info
Cohorts run October 20th - November 24th, 2026 and January 12th - February 16th, 2027.
Mandatory in-person session times:
Tuesdays: 4 to 6 p.m.
1 Hour in person coaching meetings scheduled around you.
All sessions will take place in
Slate Innovation Lab (EB3121)
Requirements
Lab participants can expect to work 6-8 hours per week during the program.
Participants must attend all in-person sessions to receive the $1,000 funding
To be eligible for the Sprint, participants MUST NOT have any classes scheduled during session times.
Get in touch
Orin Bailey-Davies
Entrepreneurship Development Officer
An artist, innovator, and game enthusiast, Orin is passionate about building worlds and bringing people together. This drive for creation and community is what fuels his work. As a JMH LaunchPad alumni, he navigated the startup journey with his own venture, Shapesynth, winning $15K in 2025. Orin believes deeply in the potential of student entrepreneurs. When he’s not supporting student ventures, you can find him actively involved with the Calgary Game Developers Association (CGDA), participating in game jams and events, or searching for the next great addition to his collection of over 100 board games.
Contact Orin at obail724@mtroyal.ca if you have any questions or need support applying to Ideas Lab
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fill out the application form to apply. If you require any support with filling out your application, email program manager Sydney Harder at obail724@mtroyal.ca for assistance.
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Students that apply and participate in our programs see a significant increase in their personal and professional growth. By participating in our program, you'll be exposed to new ways of thinking and business concepts that aren’t taught in a classroom, which can be instrumental in shaping your future endeavors. You'll have the chance to work on an idea you are passionate about and learn from others who are on the same journey as you.
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We seek imaginative individuals eager to explore innovation, acquire career-enhancing skills, and make a positive impact on the world. If this resonates with you, apply now!
To qualify, you must be a full-time or part-time MRU student enrolled in a degree or transfer program with good academic standing. Unfortunately, open studies students are ineligible for our programming. However, we warmly welcome you to join our community events and benefit from our mentoring and coaching services, extended to students campus-wide.
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 sessions to get the most out of the program. Only one stipend will be provided to a team/individual. If you have a larger team, pick two people who you think will get the most out of the program.
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We have one main facilitator throughout the program along, with two to three full time coaches/mentors that attend all sessions alongside you. We like to rotate you between all coaches to ensure you get ample support. The Lab cohort is small so you will receive quality support from everyone participating.
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All sessions take place in the Slate Innovation Lab (EB3121) and are conducted in-person. Occasionally, there may be off-campus sessions, but rest assured, we will provide ample advance notice for your convenience.
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Rather than submitting a final project, you will have the opportunity to pitch your business idea at the end of the program. We do not grade you, but instead provide feedback and support to amplify your business idea. The great part is that even after the program, we will continue to provide you support with your business.
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This is not an internship; rather, it's a transformative work-integrated learning experience where you'll collaborate closely with your problem mentor and their business, collectively tackling a business challenge. This opportunity allows you to enrich your resume with invaluable hands-on experience, positioning you strongly for future internships or post-graduation positions.
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Whether you are pursuing any degree program across campus, the Ideas Lab program 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, your background and expertise will be highly appreciated and contribute significantly to your team's success.
You do not need business expertise to take part—sometimes less is more!
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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. If you have a new business idea, reach out to our team first and we can work together to decide if participating in Lab again will help you, or if we can find another program that will fit with your experience level.