Are you ready to turn your bright idea into an early-stage venture?

Students at fall term innovation ecosystem mixer
January 3, 2023

Velocity spaces, programs and events support students

 

Tapping into Velocity’s resources on campus opens the door to a community of like-minded student innovators, coaches and subject-matter experts. It is where students interested in developing their entrepreneurial mindset can transform ideas beyond the ideation stage.

Velocity $5K competition attendees

Campus programs are open to students at all stages of their entrepreneurship journey and spark and nurture the entrepreneurial mindset. Programs range from Zero Experience, for students starting their idea exploration, to Cornerstone (applications are open now) where students get the chance to test ideas, validate business plans and share knowledge and resources with other founders. 

Last year Velocity welcomed innovators at all stages back to the Velocity Science lab (ESC 232), for students solving science-based problems, and opened Velocity Digital (SCH 228) and Problem Lab HQ (MC 2037) giving students the physical space and support to explore problems and work on solutions.

Apply to work in our creator spaces

“Velocity is great because you get those connections, especially working in the healthcare space you need to get noticed in the healthcare setting and Velocity has other founders and coaches that have worked in that space, so it helps build that network,” said Dhvani Patel, Co-Founder of RelayMD, fall term 2022 Velocity $5K pitch competition finalist.

Throughout the winter term, Velocity will host a range of events including hackathons, roundtables, expert speaker events and, of course, our flagship event, the Velocity $5K pitch competition, where student teams will have the chance to showcase their passion for innovation for a chance to win four $5,000 prizes. 

Start building your network at our first event of the term on January 13th at South Campus Hall. The Innovation Ecosystem Mixer is a chance to forge and foster connections, and learn about Velocity programs, spaces and other University of Waterloo entrepreneurship opportunities.

Sign-Up for the Innovation Ecosystem Mixer

Whether you have a fully-realized idea and are already working on the solution or it’s early-stage and you are ready to explore, Velocity is a community that welcomes and supports you. 

“I was debating whether or not to go to the coffee chat,” said Mulei Mao, one of four team members of H2GRO, the winning team of Velocity’s Climate Change Hackathon last term. “If I hadn’t gone…none of the effort and luck that helped us win would have happened — you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone.”

Let us help you.

Not sure where to begin and need some guidance on how to join Velocity and use our resources?
Enter into our Innovation Portal. A Velocity representative will guide you in the right direction.

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