MIX Innovators Launchpad
Mission
First-time founders eager to launch their business ideas now have access to a valuable resource on campus: the MIX Student Innovators Launchpad.
This program supports student entrepreneurs aiming to establish and expand their business ventures. Participants will gain a working knowledge of how to evaluate their innovative ideas from both business and customer perspectives, along with essential skills in conducting customer discovery interviews—the crucial first step in any commercialization process.
This course equips attendees with entrepreneurial skills and insights applicable across various career paths.
The workshop series is integrated with the NSF Regional I-Corps program.
Eligibility Criteria for the MIX Innovators Launchpad:
Technology-Based or Tech-enabled Idea: Teams must propose a solution or idea grounded in real, applicable technology.
Academic Level: Participants must be enrolled students ranging from junior and senior-level undergraduates to graduate students (Masters and PhD).
Cross-University Collaboration: Teams may include students from other universities.
Faculty Advisor Requirement: The MIX Incubator can assist applicants in connecting with a Professor aligned with their proposals. Each team must have a designated Principal Investigator (PI) of Record.
Interview Process: All teams will undergo an interview as part of the selection process.
Contact: Minjin Batzorig, MIX Operations Coordinator, mbatzor@gmu.edu
VISIT the GMU I-CORPS Website for more information.
MIX Innovators Launchpad Program Spring 2026:
Phase 1 and Phase 3:
Meeting Format: In-Person
Location: Horizon Hall Room 2107 on GMU campus
See Schedule Below:
Pre I-Corps Launchpad Session Dates: (Fridays, time TBD)
Session A - February 6, 2026
Session B - February 13, 2026
Session C - February 20, 2026
Post I-Corps
Session D - March 27, 2026
Pitch Practice Session - April 10, 2026
Final Pitch Day - April 17, 2026
Phase 2:
Meeting Format: Remote / Online
Location: Zoom/Teams
See Schedule Below:
I-Corps Session Dates:
Intro Call - February 23, 2026 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session 1 - March 5 - 9:00 AM - 12: 00 PM
Session 2 - March 12 - 9:00 AM - 12: 00 PM
Session 3 - March 19 - 9:00 AM - 12: 00 PM
Session 4 - March 26 - 9:00 AM - 12: 00 PM
Session 5 - April 2, 2026 - 9:00 AM - 12: 00 PM
Sample Program Schedule for Spring 2026:
Next Steps – Program and Funding Opportunities
Once you have successfully completed the Innovators Launchpad program, we can support you in applying to the programs and funding opportunities below:
Mason Enterprise Accelerate Investor Conference (First Prize - $5K)
VISIT: https://acceleratedeals.org/student/Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Patriot Pitch Competition (First Prize - $8K)
VISIT: https://business.gmu.edu/PatriotPitchMid-South I-Corps Hub Builder Program (Microgrant)
VISIT: https://www.midsouthhub.org/builder-programThe VentureWell E-Team Program (Stage 1: $5K, Stage 2: $20K)
VISIT: https://venturewell.org/e-team-program/The VentureWell Ecosystem Futures Fellowship ($35K)
VISIT: https://venturewell.org/ecosystem-futures-fellowship/National Science Foundation (NSF) National I-Corps Program ($50K)
VISIT: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/i-corps/national-teams-applicantsNSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs:
Phase I ($305K) Phase II ($1.25M), and Phase IIB ($500K)
VISIT: https://www.sbir.gov/about
Contact: Minjin Batzorig, MIX Operations Coordinator, mbatzor@gmu.edu
VISIT the GMU I-CORPS Website for more information.
Our Incubator
A space to incubate your ideas
Do you have a business idea or want to learn more about entrepreneurship?
At the MIX Incubator we support students and faculty from ideation to startup.
This space is a resource for students at all stages of their entrepreneurship journey.
Start a business. Join a team. Learn how to pitch your idea.
It all happens at the Incubator.
Come explore what we have to offer!
Previous Students
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Zach Suh, ElderlyEats
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Sahil Jagtap, Airstitch
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AccelP3
Through the MIX Launchpad, we learned to validate assumptions through real customer conversations, sharpen our value proposition, and think like founders.”
- Morolake Okanlawon, Yingjie Zhang, and Hsuanchih Kuo
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Aniwear
“The biggest benefit has been the connections and the quality of experience that the mentors have. If you have an idea or business you should definitely apply as it's a great way of validating it and getting traction.” - Joshua Peterson
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Anvil Labs LLC.
“The biggest benefit (of the MIX Innovators Launchpad) for us was getting a chance to network with people in our industry who could help us take our business to the next step.
Try to take advantage of having business savvy people at your disposal.” - Justin Luckenbach Chelsea Camacho-Zambrana, James Hope, Finn Schaefer
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Petal
“The Launchpad pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me one very important lesson - it’s not just about building a product; it's about building a product that people want.”
- Nikhil Tirunagiri
Our Sponsors & Partners
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Mason Enterprise
Mason Enterprise mission is to create a high functioning, inclusive ecosystem for entrepreneurs where George Mason plays a leading role leveraging the university’s assets to deliver knowledge-based interventions that benefit all involved.
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Athletes Innovate
AthletesInnovate is a sports‑focused venture and investment group that helps build and grow companies by offering ideation support, fundraising training, and deal consultation where athletes’ involvement drives value.
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NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers
NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers is a national award-winning legal practice recognized by Legalweek in 2024 as the best law firm in the US for enabling startup success.
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KEEN Engineering Unleashed
Engineering Unleashed, powered by the KEEN Foundation, helps universities integrate an entrepreneurial mindset into engineering education by providing resources, frameworks, and a collaborative network of institutions.
Contact Us
Minjin Batzorig
MIX Operations Coordinator
mbatzor@gmu.edu
Location
Horizon Hall 1408 & 2100 - 4475 Aquia Lane - Fairfax, VA