Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, you can receive the support to grow or begin your startup.
The Hub offers U of G students and alumni funding, dedicated office space and access to experienced entrepreneurs. The Hub focuses on helping startups develop a strong business model that can be rigorously tested and intelligently scaled.
The program is available to University of Guelph students and alumni working on innovative projects. Eligible teams must have at least one co-founder who is a current University of Guelph student or alumnus between the ages of 18 to 29. The Hub focuses on businesses in the beverage and food, life sciences, agriculture or social enterprise sectors but all ideas are welcome.
Teams accepted into The Hub are required to complete at least 30 hours of work each week and receiving full funding will be based on teams meeting certain requirements.
The positive impact and success Hub Incubator graduates are having today speaks to the exceptional value of the mentorship and program. I was surprised by how emotionally attached I became to the wins and challenges of our cohort teams. Building this sense of community was something I wasn't expecting.
$5,000* grant to help expedite growth
Access to experienced entrepreneurs
Inspiring work and meeting space
A network of accessible professionals
Tools and expertise to support growth
Learn about trends, tools and pertinent topics
Grow Your Business. With dedicated space that fosters the entrepreneurial spirit, you will be able to better focus on growing your business.
Meet Like-Minded People. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely road, but not at the Hub. You will be working in a space with other like-minded entrepreneurs who can offer advice, support and motivation.
Build Your Network. Having a strong network is an important part of success. We will connect you with business and thought leaders and other young entrepreneurs. You will also have the opportunity to connect with various people at workshops and conferences.
Office space for The Hub is located in the former VMI building on the University of Guelph main campus.
Take the time to submit an articulate overview of your enterprise - what you do, how you are different and your business model. Provide an overview of the team and each person's strengths. Ensure you demonstrate how you will utilize the resources provided by the program to grow your business.
CBaSE will review your application to gauge suitability for the Hub. We are looking for enterprises with a well-thought-out business model that have been substantiated by research. We are also looking for innovation, uniqueness, feasibility, measures of success (if applicable), milestones you are working towards and a strong demonstration of how the Hub will help you grow.
If your online application passes through the first stage of evaluation, you will be given the opportunity to pitch your business to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs. You will have up to 8 minutes to demonstrate why your idea matters, discuss the business model and introduce your founding team. The panel will then ask a series of questions. Your performance will be evaluated based on stage of development, team and personal qualities, and social impact that your business can provide.
Once accepted into the Hub, your team will have access to the space and resources for the duration of the program (4 months). In addition, your enterprise will receive up to $7,500 of funding. You will be provided mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and you will have a network of other like-minded entrepreneurs working in the space. We will work with you to develop a timeline for the milestones your business must achieve while you are in the Hub. It is expected that you complete these milestones in order to remain in the space.
Deadline to apply: Friday, August 3rd, 2018,11:59PM.
Questions? Email us at cbase@uoguelph.ca.
* Teams will receive up to $5,000 as certain requirements are met
Need more information? Check out our FAQ.