Launch | Seneca Works | Seneca Students

Program Overview 

Those who complete the Genesis program and want to be an entrepreneur can pitch to be a part of the Launch program. Participants will receive additional free supports to drive their ventures to the next level. Supports include: 

• Group coaching [5-10 Ventures to 1 Coach] 

• Introduction to seed funding [Catalyst Fund] 

• Links to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem 

Participants in both programs will have access to the HELIX space and its facilities (Room K2010 in the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship [CITE] at Newnham Campus). This includes access to the Mike Shaver Innovation Lounge, the Collaboration Forum, workstations, technology, meeting spaces and Maker Space. 

Catalyst Fund 

The purpose of the Catalyst Fund is to provide active HELIXers in the Launch program access to up to $5,000 in grant funding to quickly deliver a measurable improvement to their venture by removing fiscal barriers stopping them from moving to the next level. 

Awarding of Catalyst Funds will be made by the HELIX Venture Fund Committee after reviewing Applications from Launch HELIXers. Recipients of HELIX Catalyst funding will be required to provide written, status updates at the midway and final report of their development project. Recipients will also be required to submit a 3 to 5-minute video. 

In the last 2 years, HELIX handed out over $200,000 in micro-grants to our student entrepreneurs.