Throughout the program, we’re committed to being available to help you with the process and aid with any roadblocks or concerns.
If you have questions about the program, are confused about certain parts, or hit any major milestones do not hesitate to contact us on Slack or by email. You can also book a time here if needed (by request).
Ray Walia
Co-Founder and CEO - ray@launchacademy.ca
As part of the last decade, Ray has been an integral part of the movement to make Vancouver, Canada’s leading hotspot for Innovation and Technology. His impact can be measured in the startups he has founded and funded, the volume of entrepreneurs he has mentored, and the countless events he has produced to champion Vancouver’s homegrown talent as well as the amount of international attention he has garnered for the city’s tech sector.
Sam Chan
VP of Programs - sam@launchacademy.ca
Sam is the Head of Programs at Launch Academy, where he oversees the development of the incubator’s various programs. Over the years, he has advised hundreds of startups on their go-to-market strategies. Formerly, he consulted for Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm, and NBC on their developer relations strategies, and ran some of the largest hackathons in the world. Sam holds a BA in Communication from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.
Camille Bonnet
Program Manager - camille@launchacademy.ca
Camille currently works as the Program Manager with Launch Academy and has been part of the team for over 3 years. Originally from France, she came to Launch Academy with a background in Human Resources in the Tech Industry, having previously worked for companies such as Ubisoft and DNEG. She has been persuaded to eat kale chips and go hiking around BC – making her an honorary Vancouverite. She is your go-to person for the Heli Program.
Jean Yoon
Senior Program Manager - jean@launchacademy.ca
With a passion for video games and tech, Jean landed her first tech job at Launch Academy 4 years ago. She is also a Twitch.TV video game streamer with an accumulated view count of 5 million views, the founder of SFU’s first online video-gaming club - SFU Online Entertainment League -, and remains active in the E-sports & video game scene. She is your go-to contact for the Maple Program and great food recommendations.
Samson Li
Community Manager - samson@launchacademy.ca
Samson is the community manager at Launch Academy, where his goal is to put on events and help members feel welcomed. Samson comes from a background in child & youth care and psychology, where he helped young individuals build relationships and develop life skills. Furthermore, Samsom has experience in sound design from his time at Vancouver Film School. This has brought him to work in freelance, studios, youth work, outdoor camps, school districts, and now the startup space. In his spare time, Samson enjoys playing video games, working out at the gym, trying new restaurants, and learning new ways to be creative in the digital space.
Preeteesh Singh
Marketing Manager - preeteesh@launchacademy.ca
Preeteesh is a full-stack marketer with vast experience in digital marketing, advertising, branding, and social media management. From working as a stockbroker in Mumbai to being an editor for a community newspaper in Toronto, he explored his career options before finding his passion for marketing in 2014. Since then he has worked on various marketing projects for companies in immigration, fantasy sports, rock concerts, hospitality, multipurpose arenas, and events. Preeteesh likes learning about the newest tech trends, values effective creativity, and enjoys photography.
Elena Kiseleva
Digital content Manager - elena@launchacademy.ca
(Currently on maternity leave)
Elena developed her passion for tech by promoting a social business incubator, covering dozens of founders’ stories in digital media, and leading a content team in the US-based EdTech startup. At Launch Academy, she works on social media. In her spare time, Elena is an outdoor enthusiast. Her curiosity led her to climb Europe’s highest mountain and scuba dive in the Indian Ocean on an expedition with the World Guinness explorer.
Suggested Prompts
How can I effectively reach out to the Launch team if I encounter a specific challenge during the program?
What additional resources or support might be available from team members with expertise in areas like marketing, community building, or program development?
In what ways could connecting with different team members enhance my learning experience and help me achieve my milestones?
Module Comments 0 Analytics Settings
Introduction and Onboarding
MODULE
Welcome to Heli!
MODULE
Important: Onboarding
MODULE
What is Launch?
MODULE
Meet the Launch team
MODULE
Get connected to our network
MODULE
Resources
Program Details
Monthly Company Updates
Immigration Process
Released on February 18, 2024
Incorporation Process
Released on February 18, 2024
CHAPTER 1 : CUSTOMER DISCOVERY AND LEAN CANVAS
Released on February 18, 2024
Defining Your Startup Idea
Released on February 18, 2024
Forming Your Core Team
Released on February 18, 2024
Market and Competition
Released on February 18, 2024
Competitors analysis
Released on February 18, 2024
Build Your Lean Canvas
Released on February 18, 2024
Find Your Early Adopters
Released on February 18, 2024
User Interviews
Released on February 18, 2024
Defining Your Value Proposition
Released on February 18, 2024
Build your pitch deck
Released on February 18, 2024
Build your website
Released on February 18, 2024
IMMIGRATION DELIVERABLES - Part 1
Released on February 18, 2024
CHAPTER 2: PRODUCT MARKET FIT & MARKET RESEARCH
Released on February 18, 2024
Finding Your Product Market Fit
Released on February 18, 2024
IMMIGRATION DELIVERABLES - Part 2
Released on February 18, 2024
Market Research and Creating a Go-to-Market Strategy
Released on February 18, 2024
CHAPTER 3 : BUILD YOUR PRODUCT
Released on February 18, 2024
Building Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and Prototyping
Released on February 18, 2024
User Testing
Released on February 18, 2024
Product Demo
Released on February 18, 2024
Revenue model
Released on February 18, 2024
Get your first customers & generate revenue
Released on February 18, 2024
CHAPTER 4: MARKETING, PR & BRAND IDENTITY
Released on February 18, 2024
Start building your brand
Released on February 18, 2024
Marketing & PR
Released on February 18, 2024
Social media footprint
Released on February 18, 2024
CHAPTER 5: FUNDRAISING & FINANCES
Released on February 18, 2024
Elevator pitch
Released on February 18, 2024
Develop your network
Released on February 18, 2024
Fundraising
Released on February 18, 2024
Accounting and Finances
Released on February 18, 2024
HELI - NEXT STEPS
Released on February 18, 2024
HELI - OFFBOARDING