Build what you believe in at Velocity

If you believe in an idea, you can build it. Every term, Velocity engages undergraduates, graduate students, staff and faculty from across the University of Waterloo through advisory, builder spaces and events to help you bring even the smallest idea to life.  

Find out how to work with Velocity and check out events and programs this fall term. 

Femtech Innovation Challenge

Velocity’s innovation challenges bring real-life opportunities to campus in collaboration with external organizations. This fall, the focus is Femtech. Over two weeks, students work in multi-disciplinary teams to create solutions addressing women’s health concerns.  

With an emphasis on going beyond the classroom, lab and library, you can put your learning and research to the test. Our innovation challenges are a powerful way for you to rapidly gain insights and feedback to understand how to turn an idea into a promising solution. 

Waterloo students working in teams during Velocity's innovative challenges

Startup 101  

At Startup 101 you’ll find out what the entrepreneurship journey looks like — directly from a startup founder. Open to everyone in the University community, experienced founders will share their first-hand experience. Explore topics like VC funding basics, how to know whether an idea is worth pursuing, and what not to do when launching a startup. 

New interdisciplinary capstone 

The Faculty of Science, in collaboration with Velocity, launched (SCI 300) this fall working on the theme of Future Cities, through Waterloo’s new Future Cities Institute. Over eight months, teams of students from multiple faculties will work together to explore the complex challenges affecting cities and communities to develop a deep understanding of problem areas and contribute to solution-oriented projects that demonstrate mastery of problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. 

Spark your creativity at Velocity co-working spaces 

Through Velocity you can access space to build and connect with like-minded individuals to spark idea generation and creativity. Velocity has dedicated spaces in South Campus Hall SCH 228, Earth Sciences and Chemistry ESC 232 and in the Math and Computing building MC 2037 where you can drop in or book a space for in-person networking and community events. 

No homework allowed: Velocity’s GPU Server 

If you’re working on extra-curricular ideas and need access to computer power to train your AI models, Velocity’s GPU server can save you time and money. Access to this kind of server on campus is usually tied to an academic research project but this server is available to any student working on their own ideas.  Apply now.

Up Start your startup 

Are you a graduate student or researcher? Up Start provides funding, validation training and bi-weekly coaching to commercialize your research efficiently. You can get up to $15,000 in funding to help turn your research into a startup. Since 2022, Velocity has supported 30 projects of all types. Apply by September 11. 

Validate your idea with Cornerstone  

Think beyond the startup activities you might expect to do, like product development, patenting, and fundraising.  The most important activity is to find your customers and speak with them. Join Cornerstone for active instructions on how to obtain warm intros, engage with external stakeholders and conduct unbiased interviews to validate your idea rapidly. You will work through a custom validation “quest” respective to your area of interest and complete it in 10 days. Earn cash prizes for helping others with introductions; demonstrating a willingness to pivot an idea (changing direction based on feedback); obtaining an outstanding insight; and making a sale. The best team takes home $5,000. 

Waterloo students listening to a Cornerstone presentation

“Waterloo students are eager to build and put their ideas to the test, and engaging with Velocity, our events, and other startup founders is a unique opportunity to ask questions and get real-world answers,” says Krysta Traianovski (BSc ’15, MBET ’16), Velocity’s associate director of founder development. 