Welcome to Level UP x FuturePath!

Riipen FuturePath connects you with career-ready students for impactful short-term projects that could lead to full-time hires. These students are eager and ready to showcase their skills and are available for full-time roles if they’re a good fit for your team.

In connection with Level UP, the FuturePath program provides you access to talent for longer term projects, and without the perimeters of Level UP!

FuturePath requires employer co-investment, with 50% of student payments provided by the employer. Beyond that, there are no volume limits - you can access this 50% subsidy for as many students (or repeat engagements with the same student) as you wish, for up to 300 hours per student!

Here’s what you need to know to get started with this cohort:

Key Program Details

Project Format & Timelines

• Each project involves 10 - 300 hours of student work per student. Project hours can be extended with individual learners if the project scope is increased.
• Employers can work with as many students as they require on each project
• Students can apply to up to five projects before November 21, 2025. Once accepted, they are committed to that specific project.

Learners propose the project dates at the time of matching; the employer can accept or decline those dates.

Projects are recommended to be scheduled for a duration between 2 to 12 weeks.

For this cohort:

• Start dates must start by November 28, 2025
• End dates must end by February 6, 2025

Your Role as a Project Host

You're more than just an employer—you’re a mentor. As a host, you’ll provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes:

• A kickoff meeting
• Clear guidance and expectations
• Ongoing check-ins and feedback

Your support ensures students stay on track and feel confident in their contributions.

Funding & Flexibility

Open to students who are deemed eligible in the program application process.

Projects should be clearly scoped to attract the right talent.

A deposit is taken upon accepting each student to your project, of 50% of the total cost of the project, up to $750.00. This deposit will be refunded to you upon completion of the project and payment of the final invoice. Total compensation varies per project, but is based on a $23.34/hour wage. Invoices are triggered every 15 hours logged into the worklog.

Payment is co-funded: for each invoice 50% is covered by Riipen, and 50% (plus applicable taxes and fees) is contributed by the employer.

For example, for a 60-hour project students are paid $1400.40, payable in four $350.10 invoices every 15 hours throughout the project. On each invoice the employer pays $175.05 (plus taxes and fees).

Attracting the Right Students

To make your project more appealing:

• Use a clear, compelling title
• Outline goals, deliverables, and required skills
• Keep your project scope focused and realistic
• A well-defined project attracts stronger applications, faster.

For more info, visit the FuturePath Knowledge Centre.

Need help? Click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of any Riipen page—we’ll respond within two business days.

Projects require clearly defined deliverables outlined in the project description. Deliverables include the working documents and the final project uploaded for review and payment. This may encompass source code, presentations, marketing materials, etc.

To validate completion, students submit deliverables as uploaded files with a reflection note. Tangible proof or samples of completed work are necessary, with redacted deliverables if under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Employers are also required to approve worklogs before invoices are processed. They will be asked to review deliverables to verify that the submitted work matches the work completed.