Join a community of aspiring student entrepreneurs and innovators

Launch Pad is a program for first-year students who are passionate about approaching problems in new ways, developing big ideas and wanting to make their mark. As a Launch Pad student, you’ll get personalized support and mentorship while you learn how to innovate; and, you’ll have the opportunity to start, grow or create a venture of your own.

What It’s Like to Be in Launch Pad

As a Launch Pad student, you would:

Enroll in BA 167 (3 credits, winter) and 168 (3 credits, spring) as a cohort; in the course series, students form teams to pursue their own venture or innovative project or join teams led by their peers.

Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to entrepreneurship opportunities and events at OSU and in the Portland, Corvallis and Bend startup communities.

Forge connections to mentors and experienced innovators, as well as a community of Beavers dedicated to supporting you, your goals and your overall OSU experience.

Access the DAMlab Makerspace, which provides access to 3-D printing, prototyping tools, 3-D modeling software, and more. Launch Pad students learn how to use a range of equipment to help make their ideas happen.

Learn how to deliver a pitch and earn funding to develop your idea in the course.

A Model Program

Launch Pad has been recognized as a model first-year college experience program by VentureWell, a national organization that funds and trains faculty and student innovators to create successful, socially beneficial businesses. Learn more.

Who Should Participate

  • students of any major or academic interest who are driven to get new ideas off the ground or who want to build solutions and make a difference
  • students who want to connect with other Beavers who care about innovation and who want to develop a network of other Beavers
  • students who are interested in innovation or entrepreneurship, or who have an idea, or who have already started a business and are looking to advance it further

Eligibility

We keep things pretty simple. To participate, students must:

  • be first-time freshmen for fall of the year they'd like to participate; and
  • demonstrate a passion for entrepreneurship, innovation or invention; direct experience with starting a business is not required – if you have passion, drive and/or ideas, we want to work with you.

To Join

Ready to get started? Complete our short form to indicate your interest. We’ll help you enroll in Launch Pad before winter term, a program designed to help first-year students develop innovative ideas and products.

Questions?

Want to learn more? Get in touch! Complete our Contact Us form.