The Hub Incubator
At the Hub Incubator, we can bring your business ideas to life!
The Hub Incubator is an integral part of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports U of G students aspiring to become entrepreneurs. Through our comprehensive programs, we empower student founders to develop early-stage venture ideas to turn their visions into reality. We offer extensive training, strategic guidance, resources, mentorship from industry experts, and essential funding to lay the groundwork for innovative start-up concepts. Our goal is to enhance entrepreneurial knowledge and skills within a supportive and engaging environment that fosters the development of commercially viable ideas. Ultimately, student founders emerge with a confident plan to bring their products to market.
Programs
The Hub Incubator consists of three specialized programs designed to guide participants through the early stages of entrepreneurship, from ideation to preparing for launch.
Entrepreneurial-minded students can choose to apply to the initial program and progress sequentially through each stage, or they can enter at any level if their business concept is further advanced. Each program includes mandatory weekly sessions complimented by assigned tasks to help move your concept forward. These sessions are the cornerstone of the Hub and feature presentations, insights from industry experts, coaching, mentorship, workshops, and a supportive community. They provide continuous opportunities to learn the essentials for creating a commercially viable product that customers will pay for. However, the responsibility to complete the work rests with you, and the assigned tasks will help you transform your idea into a profitable business. Moreover, student founders will receive up to $4000 in funding to accelerate their growth.
The Spring term program caters to students passionate about entrepreneurship but lacking a specific business idea. Rather than focusing on generating ideas, we initiate the process by identifying problems worth solving. We guide participants through various tools to analyze and address these pain points, nurturing their creative confidence to ideate potential solutions. The aim is to impart a problem-solving framework, leveraging tools commonly utilized in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and innovation to address significant societal challenges. This program provides foundational knowledge on identifying compelling problems, which may ultimately lead to innovative business solutions.
Eligibility:
- U of G students returning to school in September
- No entrepreneurial experience required
- Can attend every 1-hour session over 6 weeks
Applications: Open mid-March and close early-April
Program Dates: Mid-May to Mid-June
Platform: Teams (Virtual)
Stipend: Please note that there is no stipend associated with this program.
The Fall term program is tailored for early-stage business development, providing foundational tools to unlock your venture's potential. Emphasis is placed on validating your concept to determine its viability as a business. Through extensive market research, participants may make modifications or pivots based on their findings during the program. The ultimate objective is to determine if there is a product-market fit supported by credible data, indicating the concept's potential success in the marketplace.
Eligibility:
- U of G student or recent alumni
- Well developed concept for a business
- Can attend every 2-hour session over 10 weeks
Applications: Open early-August and close early-September
Program Dates: September 26th, 2024 - November 28th, 2024
*Please note end and start dates are subject to change based on the selected availability date of applicants to the program.
Program Structure: A 2-hour session once a week over the 10 weeks + 4 hours with mentors + assignments.
Stipend: $1000
The Winter term program seamlessly picks up where IgniteLab left off, with the groundwork already laid that validated your business idea. This phase delves deeper into essential business concepts, including budgeting and financing, go-to-market strategies, branding, sales, and crafting an investor pitch deck. The program culminates in an exhilarating public Expo and pitch competition for cash prizes. The ultimate objective is to formulate a strategic plan for your next steps, whether it involves seeking financing, joining an external incubator or accelerator, or preparing for launch!
Eligibility:
- U of G student or recent alumni
- Must have a specific problem you aim to solve with an innovative product that can be commercialized.
- Must have validated your business concept through effective market research and customer discovery.
- Can attend every 2-hour session over 10 weeks
- Must be available for the Expo day
Applications: Open early-November and close at the end of the month.
Program Dates: End of January to beginning of April.
Program Structure: A 2-hour session once a week over the 10 weeks + 4 hours with mentors + assignments + LaunchLab Expo.
Stipend: $3000
Why Apply to the Hub?
Be Your Own Boss: Make your dream of owning a successful business a reality by starting here! The Hub will be your first steps in learning how to ensure your idea can be a profitable business venture.
Get Inspired: Our dedicated, inspiring space fosters the entrepreneurial spirit and provides access to valuable resources, allowing you to focus on advancing your concept.
Meet Like-Minded People: Entrepreneurship can be isolating, but not at the Hub. Collaborate with other like-minded entrepreneurs who offer support, advice, and motivation.
Build Your Network: A strong network is crucial for success. We connect you with business experts, thought leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs.
The John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise is developing innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Guelph. We look for innovative and sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. We instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and leadership, character-building values that help develop citizenship. We help to bring ideas to life!