Turn Your Capstone Into a Venture
Have an idea with the potential to go beyond Capstone? The Clearpath Founders Mechatronics Capstone Award is designed to help aspiring founders take the first steps toward commercialization.
Round 1: Seed Funding
All teams will receive $1,000 per team.
This funding is intended to help you enhance your project's outcomes and explore commercialization opportunities. We're NOT looking for you to change the scope of your Capstone project. Instead, think about how you can strengthen your solution, validate market interest, and prepare for what comes next.
Round 2: Pitch Competition
Teams interested in pursuing commercialization can apply to compete in a pitch competition for additional funding.
Eligibility
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Full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year Four of Mechatronics Engineering who are undertaking a fourth-year Capstone Design project.
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Selection to be based on project proposals that, in the opinion of the selection committee:
o address a real-world problem and provide evidence of market need
o demonstrate innovation and a clear competitive advantage
o show strong potential for commercialization and customer adoption
o demonstrate the team's commitment to advancing the project beyond Capstone
o demonstrate how the award funding would be used to advance the venture toward commercialization or market readiness
Application deadline and selection process
Submit a Rapid Plan by November 16, 2026.
Interested students / teams can apply by completing the following application form
A Faculty of Engineering selection panel will review all applications and determine the shortlisted teams who will be invited to participate in the pitch competition.
Important Dates
- Pitch Competition: Early December 2026
- Pitch Date: TBD
Value
- Awards available valued up to $10,000 each
- The total award funds will be divided equally among the winning team members
What's Next?
Successful teams are strongly encouraged to continue building their ventures through opportunities such as the Esch Pitch Competition and Velocity's Summer Accelerator.
Your Capstone project doesn't have to end at graduation. It could be the start of your next venture.