LaunchPad · CEL
LaunchPad
The Blackstone LaunchPad at UCF supports students, regardless of level or focus of study. Located in the lobby of the Student Union, our LaunchPad serves as a hub for all students to develop a business mindset to be best prepared for professional success. Whether students are looking to develop a business idea, start a side hustle, grow a business, or lead within an organization, our team is dedicated to educate, mentor, inspire, and support.
Our values
Grow a Powerful Network
The LaunchPad network connects students with experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals — explore career paths, meet potential employers, and gain insights to excel in your field.
Foster Skills for Career Success
The skills that make you stand out in the workforce — creativity, problem-solving, determination, clear communication — are the same ones that build a business. The LaunchPad helps you sharpen them.
Boost Your Earnings Potential
Explore internships, job opportunities, and competitions on StartupTree. Last year UCF’s Blackstone LaunchPad awarded over $45,000 in cash prizes to students — compete for funding to bring your business idea to life.
Exclusive opportunities
Startup Skills
Hands-on workshops on the craft of building: design thinking, business models, branding, budgeting, pitching, and protecting what you invent.
Learn moreEmerging Opportunities
Where new industries are opening up — sessions on space, cybersecurity, health and the shifting skills economy, plus what the Center and the LaunchPad can do for you.
Learn moreCareer Journeys
Alumni and founders on how they actually got there — career pivots, unconventional routes, and the decisions that made the difference.
Learn moreCompetitions
Information sessions, orientations and finals for the Joust series and the other challenges open to UCF students.
Learn moreVirtual Events
Everything you can join from anywhere — the same workshops and speaker sessions, run over Zoom.
Learn more