Blackstone LaunchPad
The Blackstone LaunchPad network ensures entrepreneurship is accessible and relevant to every college student, regardless of major or future goals. Blackstone joins UCF to create a campus hub for innovation, where students cultivate entrepreneurial skills, receive guidance from a dedicated faculty director, and connect with like-minded peers.

Welcome to The LaunchPad
Come visit us in the Blackstone LaunchPad located in the lobby of the Student Union on UCF’s main campus. Schedule a 1-on-1 confidential mentor meeting, join one of our industry speaker events, RSVP for innovation mixers or check out ways to compete for cash! Visit ucf.startuptree.co for our schedule and further details.
Skills for Career Success
The skills needed to build a successful business – creativity, problem solving, determination and clear communication – are the skills needed to build a successful career. The Blackstone LaunchPad gives students the opportunity to hone these skills so they can compete in the job market and fully realize their potential.
A Powerful Network
The LaunchPad network gives students opportunities to learn from established entrepreneurs, business leaders and Blackstone professionals. Through this, they see what entrepreneurial skills look like in a day-to-day career context and are mentored as they bring their ideas to life.
Blackstone LaunchPad Mentors
Students are able to receive dedicated guidance from our renowned mentors.

In Residence Mentors
Cameron Ford
- Creativity and Innovation Expert
- Edu-Tech Experience
- Entrepreneurship Champion
- Competition Organizer
Mike Pape
- Biotech Entrepreneur
- Cofounder of Esperion Therapeutics
- Entrepreneurship Professor
- Problem Solving Expert
Cameron Marsh
- Finance Expert
- Business Growth Strategist
- Market Discovery Expert
- Business Operations Expert
Cassandra Willard
- Sports & Entertainment Lawyer
- Nonprofit Law Expert
- Intellectual Property Expert
- Girl Scouts Board Member
Jesse Wolfe
- Shark Tank Alumni
- Food Industry Expert
- Marketing Expert
- Retail Sales Expert
Justin Buzzi
- Social Media Marketing Expert
- Web3 & NFT
- Franchising Expert
- Hit $10 Million in revenue
Mike Lynch
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship Professor
- Serial Intrapreneur
- Former BCG, NASCAR, ADT, VC
Elizabeth Trader
- Computer Engineer
- Fintech Entrepreneur
- Sustainable Tech
- Customer Discovery Expert
Rachel Flasterstein
- Serial Entrepreneur
- Founder of “The Tampa Mermaid”
- SAAS Entrepreneur
- Startup Weekend Winner
Community Mentors
Kristen Unico
- Analytical Skills
- Marketing
- Writing
- Strategy
Melissa Stires
- Corporate Development
- Stakeholder Management
- International Relations
- Leadership Development
Adrianna Sekula
- Networking
- Relationship Building
- Public Speaking
- Public Policy
Andrew Kim
- Consulting
- Networking
- Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
Alexandar Cusell
- Software Development
- Project Management
- Team Building
- Leadership
Phil Dumas
- Fundraising
- Licensing
- Product Development
Jennifer Englert
- Business Strategy
- Legal
- Negotiation
Albert Manero
- Research
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Patricio Cuesto
- Corporate Development
- Operations
- Organizational Development
- Leadership Development
Brooke Hill
- Visual Communication
- Editing
- Fundraising
- Film Production
Jo Newell
- Emotional Intelligence
- Public Speaking
- Business Development
- Leadership
Jarrod Ethridge
- Title Insurance
- Negotiation
- Commercial Real Estate
- Contractual Agreements