The Launch Pad

Our website is currently undergoing maintenance but will be back online soon. In the meantime to schedule meetings or for general inquiries please email [email protected] 🚀

Reflecting on our End-of-Year Celebration 🚀

We wrapped up an incredible year by bringing together founders, collaborators, and innovators from across the University of Miami community.

We’re grateful for everyone who attended!

Here’s to another year of innovation, impact, and bold thinking. 💡

The Spring 2026 Start-up Roadshow winners are heading to eMerge Americas!

Join us to support the UM ventures, Siyanse and Lingocraze, and learn more about their ideas and so many more!

📅 April 23–24
📍 Miami Beach Convention Center

Stop by and get inspired!💡

Join The Launch Pad’s Cane2Cane group, a community for entrepreneurship, innovation, and support. 💡

Whether you’re building a startup, exploring a new idea, or just curious about the entrepreneurial space, you’ll get access to:
-Business plan guidance
-Pitch and marketing support
-Funding insights
-Strategy and mentorship

This is a resource designed to support founders at every stage.
🔗 Tap the link to join: https://cane2cane.miami.edu/hub/university-of-miami/groups/the-launch-pad/about

We are excited to welcome Jordan Meier as our new Assistant Director of the Launch Pad! In this role he will support the venture development of student, staff, and faculty entrepreneurs.

Most recently, he served as a Program Manager for Launch Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina, where he led accelerator programming and curriculum development. He also served as a Faculty Education Associate for Yale Ventures at Yale University, supporting education initiatives within translational research and venture creation.

Previously, Jordan worked as a Venture Capital Analyst at Root System VC and in entrepreneurial support roles for the state of Connecticut.

Welcome to the team, Jordan, we’re so happy to begin working with you!

We’re thrilled to welcome Elery Rojas from Base 44 as a speaker at our End of Year Celebration this week!

She’ll join us as we close out the year together and reflect on our growth. 🚀

Be sure to RSVP to the event using the link in our bio.

Our Director, Sam Palmer-Shields, was recently awarded the May A. Brunson Award by the University of Miami Women’s Commission 🌟

We are incredibly proud of Sam and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition!

This award honors individuals who have made a meaningful impact on improving the status of women on campus. Sam exemplifies this in every way. Through her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to building inclusive, empowering spaces, she continues to create opportunities for women to grow, lead, and thrive. From expanding access to entrepreneurship and innovation to fostering a culture of collaboration and support, her impact is felt across the entire university community. 💛

Read more about the award and Sam’s incredible work at the link: https://wcommission.miami.edu/annual-breakfast/awards/index.html

Congrats to all of the ventures who participated in USTAAR Demo Day and the selected winners! The Launch Pad is so happy to support founders seeking these resources.