When Jeanue Chung started his undergrad in Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto (U of T), he was a student with academic curiosity about space which soon revealed a systemic challenge: a lack of sovereign launch capability and Canada’s domestic talent loss.
“Canada doesn't launch rockets,” Chung explains. “There was a need for sovereign launch capability. On top of that, I think there needed to be an emphasis on creating talent and retaining it right here in Canada.” Identifying that gap became the foundation for his company, LUNR Aerospace, which launched in his dorm room while an undergraduate studying Astrophysics at U of T.
From Academic Curiosity to Entrepreneurial Action
Chung is the first to admit that entrepreneurship wasn’t a lifelong ambition, but that quickly changed: “It’s really just about identifying a problem, becoming very passionate about it, and that naturally shifts your focus into being an entrepreneur.” His experience underscores that while business instincts are essential, entrepreneurship often begins with recognizing a meaningful problem and taking the first step to act on it.
Scaling Beyond the Classroom
As LUNR developed, Chung entered the NEXT36 program, a national initiative focused on identifying entrepreneurial potential. Reflecting on that stage, he notes that the program “focused on individuals that have the kind of entrepreneurial spirit to drive a successful company.” While he ultimately left the program, the experience reinforced the importance of aligning a venture’s messaging with national priorities and long-term impact.
Support for the Journey
Throughout this period, the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) played a supportive role, where Chung credits the centre for its physical and communal infrastructure. “Just having a place to work as a student is always good,” he says. “You get to work here 24-7… and you get to surround yourself with people who are working on cool projects.”
From Academic Curiosity to Entrepreneurial Action
Chung is the first to admit that entrepreneurship wasn’t a lifelong ambition, but that quickly changed: “It’s really just about identifying a problem, becoming very passionate about it, and that naturally shifts your focus into being an entrepreneur.” His experience underscores that while business instincts are essential, entrepreneurship often begins with recognizing a meaningful problem and taking the first step to act on it.
Discipline, Trade-Offs, and Daily Reality
Balancing entrepreneurship with full-time academics and varsity athletics required discipline and trade-offs. Leading up to becoming a Varsity Blues Cross Country athlete, Chung developed habits that carried over into his work as a founder. “You work hard, you become disciplined, and I think that carries forward in everything you do,” he says. However, the demands of running and scaling business eventually required prioritization.
Chung is candid about the realities of student entrepreneurship, including long hours and limited social time. Yet he maintains that the path is manageable. “It’s doable. It’s completely doable,” he emphasizes, while underscoring that the challenge lies not in feasibility, but commitment and balance.
Rethinking Entrepreneurship Myths
When asked about common misconceptions of entrepreneurship, Chung is direct: “Everybody loves the idea of entrepreneurship and being a founder… but the reality is all about execution.” He cautions that building a business isn't a curated aesthetic or a shortcut to success; it’s a lot of work.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is equally unambiguous: don't wait for the perfect moment. “The world is indifferent to your hesitation,” he says. “It’s important that you don’t get too hung up on starting and just take the first steps.”
Continuing the Conversation at Share Your Spark
Chung will expand on these experiences and lessons as our featured speaker at Share Your Spark on March 3, 2026. The event, part of U of T Entrepreneurship Week, is an opportunity for students and the larger U of T community to hear firsthand how academic curiosity, paired with discipline and execution, can launch a meaningful career.