Laurier Startup Fund

Laurier Startup Fund is a student-managed, seed-stage investment vehicle, run by top undergraduate and MBA students from Wilfrid Laurier University. It provides participants direct experience in due diligence, investment evaluation, and strategic recommendations for early-stage companies, integrating academic learning with practical venture capital operations. This unique model prepares students for future roles in the venture ecosystem.

Established in 2014, the Laurier Startup Fund originated from the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. Its creation addressed a seed-stage funding gap for tech companies in the Toronto-Waterloo Tech Corridor, a key insight driving its formation. Concurrently, it offers students hands-on venture financing exposure, linking academic insights with the practical demands of the regional startup ecosystem.

The fund supports early-stage technology companies in the Toronto-Waterloo corridor, supplying vital seed capital and strategic guidance. Its long-term vision cultivates future venture capitalists and entrepreneurs through immersive investment experience. Laurier Startup Fund aims to consistently identify, nurture, and propel innovative ventures, enriching regional economic development and strengthening the broader startup landscape.