The Launch Pad is a career guidance component of the Toppel Career Center, providing resources to entrepreneurs and inventors at the University of Miami. We serve students and alumni from every school and college to support our community of entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship is a career choice; a career that you can start now!
Our team is available Monday through Saturday to help you with:
   learning business basics
   guidance in developing your idea, a team, or a company
   advice on growth strategies to take your venture to the next level
   networking with industry experts and investors

Appointments are recommended, but feel free to stop by and ask any questions you may have.

The Launch Pad is part of the Toppel Career Center and offers career guidance, resources, and advice to entrepreneurs, innovators, and inventors at the University of Miami. One basic goal of The Launch Pad is to show University of Miami students and alumni that starting a new venture is a legitimate career path and a viable way to make a living. A second key goal is to encourage every University of Miami student who wants to start a new venture –either for-profit or not-for-profit—to do so in South Florida and thereby contribute to the economic and social growth of our region.
Through regular individual and group consultative sessions, workshops, and networking events – and through the good work of a network of local Venture Coaches –The Launch Pad is strengthening an entrepreneurial culture at the University of Miami and helping students and alumni from every school, college, and campus transform innovative ideas into successful and sustainable South Florida enterprises. The Launch Pad programs connect ideas, people, and resources; provide advice and guidance; builds relationships with experts in the local business community; and thus increases the likelihood of bringing new enterprises –whether for-profit or not-for-profit, to South Florida.

At a Glance
• Opened our doors on August 27th, 2008
• Over 500 members have created profiles on www.thelaunchpad.org
• Over 150 Venture Assessment Forms submitted, from early ideation stages to help with expansion of 40-employee company
• Community partners include Enterprise Florida, The Florida Venture Forum, The Beacon Council, The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
• #1 US partner for Global Entrepreneurship Week
• Community outreach includes MOMentum at the Miami Children’s Museum and consulting services to business owners in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, beginning in Liberty City