Hub Incubator Application Process
Application Dates:
Applications for IgniteLab are now closed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by end of day Friday, September 19th.
*Please note all application questions are listed below. Please take the time to read and prepare your answers before starting the online application form.
Application Process:
To participate in the Hub programs, students must apply to each program individually. Applications open about two months before the program start date, so be sure to join our mailing list or follow us on social media to receive timely notifications.
Please do not start the application form until you have reviewed and prepared all answers to the questions below. Once you are ready, you can copy and paste your answers into the form. All questions must be completed, and a required video pitch must be submitted for your application to be considered.
Applications must be submitted by the deadline, as late or incomplete submissions will not be evaluated. We will review all applications and may contact you with questions or request an interview if needed. Applicants will be notified of their application status a week after our application deadline
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application!
Preview of Application Questions
Interest in Entrepreneurship
- What specific topics or industries are you most interested in?
- What inspired you to pursue entrepreneurship?
- Have you previously started or been involved in any entrepreneurial ventures?
- If so, please describe
- What did you like, or even dislike about it?
- Do you already have an idea for a business?
- If yes, what is your idea for a business venture?
- What kind of progress have you made thus far?
Program
- What do you hope to gain from participating in this entrepreneurial program?
- What skills or strengths do you possess that you believe will contribute to your success as an entrepreneur?
Video Submission
- Applicants will be required to submit a 1 minute video (maximum) telling us why you want to be in this program.
Problem/Solution
- Briefly describe the problem your business wants to solve.
- Briefly describe your solution (company/product) in one sentence.
Entrepreneur Readiness
- Why did you start this business idea? What excites you about it?
- What skills do you currently have to develop your product and what skills do you need to acquire?
Business Information
- What is the name of your business?
- Which industry or sector is most aligned with your idea?
- How long have you been working on this business idea?
- What kind of progress have you made thus far? Eg. Market Research (primary or secondary), early prototyping, customer interviews, etc.
- The Wood Centre is part of the Lang School of Business and Economics, which is committed to developing future leaders for a more sustainable world. If applicable, how will your business idea contribute to improving life or using business as a force for good? You might consider aspects such as sustainability, social impact, accessibility, equity, or community benefit.
Customers
- Who are the key customers who will buy your product?
- What do these customers currently do to address this problem?
- What unique value would your company deliver to your customers:
Competition
- Who are the main competitors of your company?
- What differentiates your product from competitors and what unique value does your company offer to customers?
Financial
- How will your company make money?
- How do you plan to use the $1,000 business grant to support the development of your product or company? E.g., prototyping, materials, ingredients, other early-stage costs, etc.
Time Commitment
- Are you able to commit to attending each of the 10 two-hour sessions on Thursdays?
- Outside of our sessions, how many hours per week can you dedicate to working on your business idea?
Personal Statement
- Why this idea, and why you? What motivated you to start this business, and what excites you most about working on it?
- What skills do you currently have to help develop your product, and what skills do you still need to learn or bring in through a team member?
- Why do you want to join IgniteLab?
Video Submission
- Applicants will be required to submit a 1 minute video (maximum) of yourself pitching your business idea.
Business Information
- What is the name of your business?
- Which industry or sector is most aligned with your idea?
- What is the specific problem you want to solve?
- What is your business solution?
- Who are your target customer segments?
- What unique value proposition do you give your customers?
- How long have you been working on your business idea?
- What market research have you completed to date? Did you get market validation or pivot?
- What kind of progress have you made thus far?
- Who are the main competitors of your company? Please explain.
- What differentiates your product or service in comparison to your competitors
- Website link, video link or examples of prototype (if applicable)
- The Wood Centre resides in the Lang School of Business and Economics. We are striving to be recognized globally for our commitment to developing future leaders for a more sustainable world. How would your business idea contribute to improving life and using business as a force for good?
Lean Business Model Canvas
- Applicants are required to fill out a Lean Business Model Canvas.
Budget
- How will your company make money?
- How do you plan to spend the stipend you receive from the program? ($3000)
- Applicants are required to submit a short-one page budget, for more information please visit this website
- You are only required to show the Categories and Budgeted amounts. Please make sure that the total of your budget equals $3000
Video Submission
- Applicants are required to submit a 1-minute video (maximum) of yourself pitching your business idea.
The John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise is developing innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Guelph. We look for innovative and sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. We instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and leadership, character-building values that help develop citizenship. We help to bring ideas to life!