Stanford
ENGR 245 - Lean Launchpad

Apply by Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM

ENGR 245 - Spring 2026

Re-direct to this website for information on the Spring Lean Launchpad class.

Apply Here for Spring 2026

Eligible applicants will be invited to sign up for a 15 min interview slot - first come, first serve. 

Interviews are in-person and will take place on:

  • Thursday, February 19

Check back on Monday the 12th for more info on the Spring class.

 

The Lean Launchpad Winter 2026 (in session)

APPLY HERE

Sign up for Pre-Application OH with the faculty here!

Make sure to check out our Application and Interview Tips 

You will be sent a link in an email to sign up for a 15 min interview slot - first come, first serve. 
Interviews are in-person and will take place on:

  • Sunday, November 16th
  • Monday, November 17th

Application Info

1. Attend Events

See schedule on Course Info page. Introducing yourself to the teaching staff is highly encouraged.

2. Form a team of four or five

You may apply in teams of four or five students.

We do not allow teams working on cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or gun-related projects.

While we’ve had instances of teams with undergrads getting into the class, preference is given to grad students. We encourage teams to apply with at least one team member in an MS&E degree program, but this is not required. 

If you have an idea you’d like to incubate in Lean Launchpad, but have not formed a team, or if you want to participate in the class, but do not have a specific idea, start by adding yourself to the Team Formation Sheet or check out the Team Formation Hub, send open calls to mailing lists, and attend the meetup sessions we will be hosting before the application deadline.

3. Apply by Friday, November 14th, 2025

If you are selected for an interview, scoring is based along the following dimensions:  

  • Team Background: Does the team have the mix of skills needed?
  • Team Chemistry: Will the team work well together? Will they get along? (tip: we recommend students to introduce each other during the interview)
  • Passion for Idea: How passionate/excited do they seem about the idea?
  • Excitement for Class: Did they demonstrate an eagerness to learn and grow?
  • Commitment to Class: Are they committed to putting in the hours?

Notes

  • Teams may not do market research for companies or work for existing companies.
  • No cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or guns-focused ideas.
  • There's a preference for teams to focus on US customers, as it isn't possible to have in-person interviews with international customers.