The Faculty of Applied Science (APSC) and the ICICS team behind the creation of HATCH are pleased to offer the 2024 APSC Summer Entrepreneurship Program (SEP). The program provides support to students and teams wishing to advance their ideas utilizing novel technologies or systems that could have an impact on the world. The program will also help teams position themselves for entering into the entrepreneurship@UBC (e@UBC) program.
The program will be individually tailored to the needs of individual teams.
Program
This free after-hours program provides:
- Weekly “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) group entrepreneurship sessions with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR), guest speakers, and a social gathering.
- Open Office Hours – weekly scheduled mentorship sessions with the HATCH EiR.
- Short weekly presentations (see Content below) plus reading on building a start-up.
- Training on and use of HATCH makerspace equipment, supported by the Makerspace Manager (3D printing, laser cutting, water jet)
- Shared office space.
- Limited support to cover prototyping costs.
Past Program Participants Thoughts
“It’s super helpful to have someone with so much previous experience help us navigate the unknowns and identify the areas we can improve.” – Mallory
“The program brought on really good speakers (notably the session on patent and storytelling), and I think having someone experienced to bounce ideas off is really helpful for someone like me who is working alone at the moment.”
“This program was great to provide ongoing discussions…. Each of the sessions built on the last, so it made the whole course feel very fluid and easy to follow.” – Amanda
“…the “ask-me-anything” sessions, were absolute gems.” – Amanda
“Your passion for the subject was evident, making the sessions engaging and enjoyable.” – Han
“I would absolutely refer it to a friend. I think that getting advice from you both, and getting to listen to the challenges that other groups were facing was extremely helpful.”
“Amazing amount of support available. Having access to the maker space, ICICS library, pitch book, etc., is fantastic. Especially for teams.”
Eligibility
The SEP is open to all student teams, provided one student per team is from APSC. If applying as an individual, you must be from APSC. All teams with a passion for entrepreneurship are welcome.
Overview of the SEP Timeline
- Information Sessions – Mondays at 5:15pm: February 26 and March 4, 2024 Zoom link.
- Apply by March 31, 2024
- Applications reviewed by mid-April followed by request to meet team/student
- Interviews / pitch session from April 9 – April 19, 5-10 minute session
- 10 program sessions from May 14 to July 22
The Program
The program comprises two short weekly sessions (via same Zoom link)
Session 1: Launching a start-up – Tuesdays 5:15pm – 6:15pm during program
Session 2: One-on-One Q&A – “Ask Me Anything” – Thursdays 5:15pm – 6:15 pm during program; bookable 10-minute slots
Content
- Market Size – is the market size sufficient to launch your idea?
- Competition – is there space in the market for your company?
- Customer Discovery – what are the questions to ask potential customers? Is my product a vitamin or an aspirin?
- Intellectual Property (IP) – Do you have unique IP and / or do you have competitive advantage?
- Beachhead Market – Which market you should start with and why.
- How to use equity to build the team.
- What does it mean to be a CEO? Is it right for you – attitude, skills, experience?
- Decision Criteria – “Go” / “No Go” considerations for undertaking a startup.
- Pitching your idea – How to communicate your idea to investors and stakeholders.
- How to tell your story.
Applying
If you are interested in joining us, please send either one paragraph or a 45–60 second video covering (product, problem, solution, market size, and target market), to the HATCH Manager listed below.
Please list what help you would like from us – technical, financial, or commercial.
Please apply by March 30, 2024, using the subject line “Summer Entrepreneurship Program.”
Information and Application Contacts
Applications to: Fatima Damji, HATCH Manager
More information: Francis Steiner, HATCH Entrepreneur-in-Residence