Founded by Branksome Hall, Slingshot is a unique innovation academy that gives young people opportunities to learn new skills and discover technology-driven solutions to reinvent the world as we know it. At the heart of its creative approach is teamwork, building leadership, design thinking and presentation skills to enable teens to turn their ideas into realities.

Young, innovative and curious minds who have an interest in building competencies in design thinking, entrepreneurship, technology and presentation skills. While Branksome Hall is an independent school for girls, Slingshot programs are open to all genders. Check our program pages for specific age ranges for each program.

Yes, participants are asked to bring a laptop with the following minimum requirements:

• Operating system: Windows 10 or 11 or macOS 11.7+ (no iPads/tablets as some Slingshot Innovation Academy software requires full laptop operating systems)
• *Memory (RAM): 8 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended
• *Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 processor or higher, AMD Ryzen 5 or higher, or Apple M1 or higher
• *Storage (SSD): 256 GB or higher

*App Labs only

Necessary software for the Slingshot programs will be provided, with support on how to download on the first day. IT Support will be provided once the program begins, as needed. If you have any questions about the above requirements, please email slingshotia@branksome.on.ca.

Yes! Those registered for the Venture Lab Entrepreneurship program will visit an entrepreneurship incubator to explore proven business models and network with a vibrant community of experts, influencers and entrepreneurs. They will travel there as a group with direct adult supervision. Details will be provided to families in advance of the program start date.

Those in the App Lab Program will have the opportunity to tour some of Toronto’s top innovation spaces, such as IBM, or try a Swift Playground Session at the Apple Store.

Venture Lab: Upon finishing the program, participants will earn a certificate of completion and a digital badge to include on their LinkedIn profile, showcasing their elevated leadership skills and potential.

App Lab: Upon completing all three levels, learners will earn a certificate of completion and walk away with a progressive project outcome at each stage.

• Level 1 Builder Mode: Students walk away with a polished wireframe for your own Productivity App, like a habit builder, reminder system, or next-gen to-do tool.
• Level 2 Dev Mode: Students come away with their own Smart Companion App—like a travel guide with live weather, location tips and personalized recommendations.
• Level 3 Launch Mode: Students come away with a polished, launch-ready app featuring advanced functionality like secure authentication, cloud integration and monetization features. They'll walk away with a deployable, store-ready product and real-world knowledge of the full app lifecycle—from business strategy to publishing workflows—ready to showcase a professional-grade app they built from the ground up.

Rotman @ Slingshot: In addition to a certificate credential for inclusion on their LinkedIn profile, the program delivers a holistic learning experience that enhances both intellectual development and practical insight, preparing participants for further academic pursuits and future roles in business and leadership. By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Understand and apply fundamental concepts across key business disciplines.
• Analyze external and internal factors influencing business decisions.
• Interpret and use data to support strategic and operational choices.
• Communicate ideas effectively in professional and team settings.
• Learn and network with Rotman professors
• Connect theory to practice through real-world exposure and project work.
• Develop strategic thinking and leadership skills for real-world challenges.

Pitch & Persuasion Lab: Participants receive a certificate of completion recognizing their achievements in debate, public speaking and civil discourse—a standout credential for resumes, leadership applications, interviews and future opportunities.

We accept Visa/Mastercard and eChecks.

All cancellations must be made in writing to the Slingshot Innovation Academy by email at slingshotia@branksome.on.ca.

For cancellations prior to February 28, 2026, a full refund will be issued.

For cancellations prior to or on March 31, 2026, a full refund, minus a $500 administrative fee, will be issued.

Cancellations on or after May 1, 2026 are not eligible for a refund unless the cancellation is related to medical reasons for the participant and accompanied by a doctor’s note, at which point a partial refund of up to 50% may be granted, at the discretion of Branksome Hall. Please reach out to us about the information required in a doctor’s note supporting a refund request. These partial medical refunds are only available for students who must miss three or more consecutive days of the course. No refund is available for full or partial day absences due to inclement weather or any course activities/field trips not fully utilized.

Please note that should you cancel a session and you are eligible for a refund, the 2.4% processing fee for credit card payments is not refundable at any time for any reason. Branksome Hall reserves the right to cancel/change any program at any time, in which case a full refund will be issued for any payment previously made in relation to that program. You will be notified by email of any changes or cancellations.

Please reach out to us by email to discuss any accommodations your child may need to fully participate in the program. We will do our best to support your child in achieving the maximum benefit from the program.