Create Momentum.

Fuel bold ideas—help early-stage founders overcome barriers and drive change.

Create Momentum

Velocity empowers students to make a lasting impact by pushing them to go beyond the classroom and the lab. By confronting real-world challenges head-on, these founders gain the insights and experience necessary to create scalable solutions that drive meaningful change. For over 16 years, Velocity founders have transformed industries—and with your support, they’ll continue to shape the future.

Early-stage founders face daunting obstacles, especially when managing the financial strain of personal expenses during critical moments.

The Velocity Momentum Grant steps in where it matters most—providing non-dilutive funding to help founders push forward at a pivotal stage in their startup journey. Your support helps them focus on what matters: growing their ventures and creating impactful change.

With your contribution, we can give today’s founders the momentum they need to bring their bold ideas to life.

Interested in sponsorship options? Find out about current opportunities.

Grant Recipients

CELLECT Laboratories
A non-invasive device in menstrual products that enables easy cervical cancer and HPV screening, improving access to life-saving diagnostics.
Founders: Ibukun Elebute, CT Murphy
GreaseTech
An automatic verification system that ensures manufacturing equipment is being lubricated properly and helps manage the manual lubrication preventative maintenance processes.
Founders: Nathan Wong, Jesurun Ramesh
Doro
An AI-powered coach offering immediate support to prevent everyday stressors from developing into severe mental health issues.
Founders: Rastin Rassoli
GrownStone
Creates sustainable construction material by transforming construction and agricultural waste (such as corn stover and bean pods) into innovative building supplies.
Founders: Adrian Simone
Mapkot Technologies
MapMate a platform that connects food processors with small farmers, enhancing traceability, responsible sourcing, and compliance with international standards.
Founders: Kwaku Owusu Twum, Daniel Buston
NewGen Health
A non-invasive test to detect kidney function. Our mission is to provide affordable and convenient health monitoring solutions that empower people to take control of their health.
Founders: Shiv Naik, Mazhar Shahen
PatientCompanion
A modern, user-friendly, and fully customizable patient care platform that empowers nurses to deliver exceptional care.
Founders: Christy Lee, Ethan Alvizo
Swish Solar
Develops self-cleaning solar panel technology to prevent energy losses from snow and sand accumulation, providing a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional cleaning methods.
Founders: Miswar Akhtar Syed, Amirhossein Borer

Velocity advisory team selects recipients based on demonstration of their entrepreneurial mindset through business traction.

All Current University of Waterloo students and recent graduates who are actively working with Velocity on their startup.

No. The goal is to provide vital support at a critical time in the founder journey.

Founders may use this non-dilutive funding however they wish. There are no strings attached.

"Velocity provided us with the funds we needed to get our pilots up and running and many connections with medical institutions. The network of startup founders was invaluable for sharing their previous experiences"

Christy Lee

Co-founder, PatientCompanion

Swish would have remained just a dream without the amazing support from Velocity. Starting a startup is already a daunting endeavour but doing it in a new country just two months after arriving was particularly challenging. Thankfully, the on-campus Velocity programs provided a solid community and support network that quickly eased my feelings of being an outsider.

Miswar Akhtar Syed

Co-founder, Swish