About the Launch Pad

Entrepreneurial Launch Pad

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About the Launch Pad

The Launch Pad provides seed funding, expert resources, and business connections to launch entrepreneurial initiatives at the University of Cincinnati. Entrepreneurial initiatives are vital to the University's goals of advancing innovation, commercializing technologies, attracting new resources, and improving the regional economy.

Examples of entrepreneurial initiatives include efforts to develop new electromechanical devices, chemical products or novel materials, pharmaceuticals, research tools, diagnostic or testing kits, software or training systems, or revenue-generating services of any type that would be useful to the larger community.

Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and all applicants will be offered mentorship and assistance with business plan development, identification of business or industry partners, and solicitation of external funding. The program is open to all full time faculty and staff. Students may participate if they are working with a faculty member.

Proposals will be awarded each year in amounts in the range of $10,000 to 25,000. The funds must be used for technology validation or other business startup costs. Awards are provided in the form of loans to be reimbursed over a period of time according to an agreed upon milestone set at the beginning of the project.

The awards will be made by the Launch Pad steering committee based on the overall quality of the application and likelihood of commercial success.

Applications should be submitted to the Office of Entrepreneurial Affairs and decisions will be announced within 4 weeks after the application deadline.

Next Submission and Notification Deadline

Submission Deadline: September 5, 2008
Notification: October 3, 2008