Incubator Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Zen Launchpad Incubator Program. If you have any questions not answered here please reach out to contact@zenlaunchpad.com.

What is the Zen Launchpad Incubator program? The Zen Launchpad Incubator program helps promising startup founders take their startup company from idea to MVP through a twelve week program.

Where can I apply for the Zen Launchpad Incubator Program? You can submit your application HERE.

What happens after I apply? Within a few days our team will assess your application and if we feel there is a fit we will move you to a due diligence process where you will be asked to provide some additional background, once that is complete you will move to a formal interview followed by an offer.

Who is eligible for the Zen Launchpad Incubator Program? You must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident with an innovative startup business idea.

What if I am not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident? You are probably looking for our Startup Visa Program which you can apply to here.

Can I apply if my company is idea stage, MVP, series A ect? Yes. Generally we give preference to earlier stage companies but we are open to talking to anyone.

How many companies are accepted into the Zen Launchpad Incubator Program? The program has space for up to 15 companies per year.

How do I maximize my chances of getting past the initial screening? Make sure you provide as much detail as you can about your business. If you are at the idea stage provide as much background info as you can on yourself and why you are qualified to build the business you are proposing.

Can you help me build my business before I apply for the program? Absolutely. We have over a decade of experience helping early stage founders. Reach out to us at contact@zenlaunchpad.com to discuss how we can help you.

Is the program in person? The program is in person but when needed we can be flexible.

What is the required time commitment for the program? The program runs for a period of 3 months during which you’ll be expected to attend face-to-face or online workshop training sessions 12 hrs. per week. You should also expect to participate at least 8 hours per week in various open lab sessions and industry social events. The rest of your time, you should be actively working on your venture, moving it forward.

What if help is required with additional services? We can provide packages or individual services in the areas of marketing, content development, engineering, manufacturing and prototyping. These services are not included in the incubator program and additional fees apply.

What types of resources do you offer to startups? The Incubator Program provides various resources to help startups grow and succeed, such as access to office space, mentorship, personalized training, funding opportunities, networking events, and business support services. Additionally we have access to a fabrication lab including laser cutters, 3D printers, packaging, printing equipment, electronics workstations, and workshop tools.

What types of start-ups do you work with? We are broadly sector agnostic and are happy to discuss any startup. We do however have certain skillsets that make us a better fit for some sectors such as: Robotics, B2B SaaS, FinTech, EdTech, IoT, AR/VR, and manufactured product development.

What is the length of the incubator program? The incubator program is twelve weeks in length and is physically on-site at the Zen Launchpad HQ in North Vancouver Canada. In some cases we can offer some of the courses online if needed due to travel constraints.

Can you connect start-ups with investors and funding opportunities? We will try to connect you with funding opportunities in the local ecosystem as well as help you refine your pitch.

Are there any costs associated with joining your incubator program?

There is no cash cost but we do ask for 5% equity of any company launched via this program.

How do I get started? To get started simply fill out the application. Once we recieve your application we will be in touch for a quick call to discuss your candidacy and from there we will do a formal due diligence and interview process. This part of the process is very quick and you will know if you have been accepted into the program within about three weeks.

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please contact us at contact@zenlaunchpad.com