Frequently Asked Questions

The Launch Pad does not offer funding directly, and we cannot guarantee that you will receive funding, but we do help our ventures locate sources of grants and/or funding. We can also review and offer feedback on your proposals. Funding is typically conditional on many factors outside of the scope of control of The Launch Pad.

To get started, there are 2 simple steps: creating a profile and submitting a Venture Assessment Form.

The profile gives prospective entrepreneurs access to other entreprenuer's profile information and helps foster communication by facilitating team building and networking opportunities.

If an entrepreneur would like an in-person consultaion with The Launch Pad staff to discuss a particular venture, then a Venture Assessment Form must be submitted.

Instructions for creating a profile and submitting a Venture Assessment form:

Step 1: Create a profile
- Go to www.thelaunchpad.org
- Click the "Create new account" link
- Enter your account information
- Click "Create new account" button

Step 2: Submit a Venture Assessment Form
- Login to your profile
- Click on "Venture Assessment Form" link
- Enter your venture information
- Click "Submit" button

Yes. The Launch Pad's free mentoring service is only available to current degree-seeking students or degree-holdling alumni of the University of Miami. We are unable to offer this mentoring service to certificate students.
 
However, we just recently opened up a forum section on our website that is open to the public. We are also working closely with the community to create different intitiatives that will help spread entrepreneurship accross South Florida, as our long term goal is to help create and sustain a healthy entrepreneurial job market here in South Florida.
 
In addition, all of our events and workshops are open to the public.  You can find these events on our calendar.

The Launch Pad is open during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Special times can be arranged upon request. 
Please note that appointments may not be available during special events.

The Launch Pad office is in the University Center, room 100. We are across the breezeway from the campus book store.

The Launch Pad can help guide you in your business plan writing and offer feedback but we will not be writing your plan for you. We are happy to be involved at every step of the process.

After a one-on-one facilitation session with someone from The Launch Pad team, we will give you feedback and offer several "next-steps" to help develop your project further. If you are serious about following through with your venture, make another appointment to show us your progress, and we will then consider you for The Launch Pad Venture Coaching Program.

The Launch Pad Venture Coaches are a select group of entrepreneurs, business professionals, and inventors. We ask that you please send a copy of your resume to thelaunchpad@miami.edu, as well as a brief description of what you hope to accomplish in joining the group, and we will review your experience and get back to you to set up a meeting as soon as possible.

There is no fee for University of Miami students, faculty/staff or alumni. Facilitation, programming, web site use and registration, and mentoring are all offered free of charge.

Most of our events are offered free of charge, however, certain events may require a fee for participation.

The Launch Pad offers one-on-one facilitation to help students and alumni develop their ideas into a company. We can also help them in putting a team together, and with business plan evaluation, strategy, and basic business guidance. This may be done with members from the Launch Pad team, as well as with special mentors from the business community who volunteer their time to share their experiences and insights. Appointments for one-on-one consulting are required.