LaunchPad FAQ
What is the LaunchPad?
The LaunchPad at Bird Library is an innovation hub connecting Syracuse University’s ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring innovators, inventors and creators.
What is entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is first and most importantly a mindset. It is the creative process of exploring ideas, identifying problems and solutions, building teams and iterating through continuous discovery. For some, this process leads to venture creation. For others, it leads to critical thinking and skills that better position them to become global leaders and citizens in an entrepreneurial world.
You do not have to want to start a company to work with the LaunchPad. You just need a curious mindset, want to meet like-minded people and explore ideas together. Most of our student innovators do not go on to start companies. They go on to work for innovation companies and are often the first to be hired because of the mindset and entrepreneurial skills they learn through this program.
What's the glass cube in Bird Library?
Our inviting space, the glass cube on the main floor of Bird Library, is ideal for ideation and brainstorming, meeting other like-minded innovators, co-working, team building, venture development, meetings with coaches and mentors, networking events, workshops, venture demos and product launches as well as other collaborative activities.
It is an inviting setting for Fireside Chats, Toolkit Workshops, student entrepreneurship and innovation club meetings and panel conversations. The “Bird’s Nest,” a private space within the cube, has video conferencing equipment for more private conversations with mentors, investors, customers or global partners. The space is staffed by LaunchPad professionals, student mentors and supported by a network of industry and alumni coaches and subject matter experts.
Best of all, the space is open on the same schedule as Bird Library, which means 24/5 during the academic year and extended hours on weekends. You will find interesting people working here all hours of the day and night, seven days a week. Becoming a member entitles you to unlimited access.
How do I get started?
- Come to an event. There are numerous opportunities to connect at events we hold each month. The event calendar is on this website
- Follow us on Instagram at LaunchPadSYR.
- Follow us on LinkedIn: LaunchPad Syracuse University
- E-mail us to set up a meeting: LaunchPad@syr.edu
- Stop in the LaunchPad on first floor of Bird Library and meet with a student Innovation Mentor or one of our professional staff. Schedules are prominently posted in the LaunchPad, and you will find business cards with their e-mails. No matter how you get started, we're here to help.
Are LaunchPad services free?
Yes, all LaunchPad services are free, including the one-on-one mentoring sessions, events and online resources, and negotiated resource deals!
How does the LaunchPad process work?
- Complementing existing campus offerings that engage and support student entrepreneurs with additional tools, resources, etc.
- Coordinating regional or sector-based experiences and opportunities for students to gain exposure for their venture.
- Convening students at global events with world-class networking and mentorship opportunities.
How do I find a mentor or coach? How are they selected?
To learn more about our mentor network, stop in the LaunchPad, first floor of Bird Library, or e-mail LaunchPad@syr.edu.
LaunchPad staff help pair you with expert industry and alumni mentors and advisors whose interests, skills, expertise and background align with what would be most helpful to you and your idea. The LaunchPad also has Entrepreneurs in Residence, faculty members and alumni. The LaunchPad regularly hosts expert days with professional service providers. Check the calendar on this website, read the weekly newsletter or follow us on social media to learn more.
We have peer coaches available to help shape your idea with specialized skill sets in areas that are helpful to startups, such as software, data analysis, user experience, video production and content development.
I don’t have an idea yet, or I want to work on another startup’s team. What should I do?
Connect with LaunchPad staff, so we can learn more about your interests and goals to help clarify what you want out of an innovation experience. Many LaunchPad startups need someone with your skills, and we would love to connect you. Or we can explore topics you are interested in, and help you shape your own innovation journey.
I have an idea, but I don’t have any money to build a business. How can the LaunchPad help me?
The program and mentoring are structured around the principle that “validating” an idea (i.e., figuring out if people want it, who those people are, how much they would pay for it, etc.) should be fast and inexpensive to do. There are lots of resources and tools to help build your venture at no or low cost.
What about business plan competitions?
The LaunchPad coordinates many campus business plan competitions, including ‘Cuse Tank, the Impact Prize, Hult Prize, ACC InVenture Prize, the Raymond von Dran iPrize (on behalf of the iSchool), and the Hunter Brooks Watson Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award. The LaunchPad promotes, helps build the pipeline and prepares students to pitch in other campus competitions such as Orange Tank and the Panasci Business Plan Competition run by the Whitman School of Management, as well as national competitions. See LaunchPad Programs for more information on competitions.
Do you help nonprofit startups?
Yes, we are committed to advising and resourcing all ideas and ventures through the program. We have many mentors, resources, tools, connections or workshops specifically geared towards nonprofit organizations. Impact entrepreneurship is a major commitment for the LaunchPad at Syracuse University.
Does the University take a stake in my idea or venture?
No. No third parties, including the University, takes any stake or claim to any student, staff, alumni or community idea or venture from the LaunchPad program. The program guides and empowers students, staff and alumni to make their own decisions about their venture and to do the work themselves.
The entrepreneur retains all student, staff, alumni or community intellectual property. However, Faculty intellectual property is governed by the university’s policies. Faculty interested in the program are advised to start first with the Syracuse University Office of Technology Transfer to understand university guidelines on faculty commercialization.
Will the LaunchPad fund my idea?
The program provides free, confidential one-on-one mentoring and resources, tools and networks that can enable venture creation. The network does not provide capital. However, it can provide direction on how to seek external investment and funding. If seeking capital, the LaunchPad network can help innovators explore the option of outside investment, participation in an accelerator, as well as other capital options.
The LaunchPad can provide support and assistance putting together a pitch deck for investors, help refine and practice pitches, create and compile the appropriate reports, documents, and summaries and advise where and how to find investors.
Who sees my idea and information?
LaunchPad personnel (staff and student mentors) who you share your ideas with, as well as participants and judges at business plan competitions where you choose to pitch, will see what you voluntarily share. This sharing is for the sole goal of providing support, mentorship and resources. You choose what you elect to share, with whom and when.
The LaunchPad collaborates with the Syracuse University Innovation Law Center and patent attorneys and suggests you start by getting advice from these resource providers on how to best protect your idea as you share it to build a team, seek mentors and advisors, pitch it at business plan competitions and approach investors. The LaunchPad team does not sign NDAs because participation is voluntary.
What is entrepreneurship?
The LaunchPad is the central hub in the Syracuse University innovation ecosystem and works closely with our partners, including academic and curricular programs offered by colleges and schools across campus. See LaunchPad Innovation Ecosystem for more information on campus and community partners.
We also coordinate a campus-wide Stewardship Council, comprised of the leaders of these academic and service programs, which meets semi-annually to share ideas and engage in collaborative activities. We can be the one-stop shop to help connect these resources across campus to support your ideas.
What programs does the LaunchPad partner within the community?
See LaunchPad Innovation Ecosystem for more information on our extended partners.
What is Blackstone, and what is the connection?
Blackstone is the global leader in alternative asset management headquartered in New York, New York. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Blackstone, provided seed funding for development of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University. The Foundation’s focus is dedicated to building and supporting sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems across the world. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation provided initial seed funding to start the program at Syracuse, and nearly two dozen other universities around the world. Together, these colleges are part of a global network supporting entrepreneurs.
What is Techstars, and what is the connection?
Techstars provided powerful tools and training to the LaunchPad network during its formative period. A premier program supporting innovators on a global scale, Techstars offered access to proven resources to innovate faster, including programs such as Techstars Startup Weekend, Techstars Startup Week, and Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerators.
Do you have more questions?
If you have a question we have not answered, email us at LaunchPad@syracuse.edu.