What is Cornerstone?

Cornerstone is Velocity's two-week sprint for students and researchers from any faculty who want to explore an idea they have or even just an area of interest with a supportive community. It is focused on introducing you to potential customers and stakeholders who live and work outside the university. It will help you build the confidence you'll need to have productive, empathetic conversations that will create the foundation of your idea and give it real impact.

No pitch deck. No pressure. No technical skills required

Join the hundreds of students and researchers all exploring their own ideas through coaching, networking, and the chance to win great cash prizes.

$2,500 in prizes to be awarded.

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Program overview

What happens at Cornerstone?

You’ll work on validating your idea by talking to real customers. Along the way, you’ll get:

• Mentorship from experienced founders and advisors
• Startup Quests to guide your progress (updated in real-time with your mentor)
• Workshops & Fireside Chats with guest speakers (like past Cornerstone prize winners and Velocity founders)
• Dedicated team chat spaces on Discord to collaborate and check in
• A Final Showcase + Dinner where the best-validated ideas will win cash prizes

Looking for inspiration?

The optional Cornerstone idea session is a fun, two-hour event on January 14th to explore your interests that can become ideas, and meet potential collaborators.

Optional! Cornerstone Idea Session

• Wednesday, January 14th 5:00-7:00 PM , E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic

This is for you if you don’t have an idea and want some help with brainstorming and to explore what Cornerstone is all about!

Sign Up For The Idea Session!

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Already have an idea?

Go directly to the Cornerstone Orientation on January 21st, where you’ll get onboarded, meet Velocity staff, and accept your Cornerstone quest.

Winter 2026 Schedule

When you register, you will choose one of the session times below:

Cornerstone Orientation

Come to either:

• Wednesday, January 21st 12:30-2:30PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Wednesday, January 21st 5:00-7:00 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic

The official start of Cornerstone. Get onboarded, meet Velocity staff and accept your Cornerstone quest. Learn how to connect with key stakeholders through warm introductions from your cohort.

Cornerstone Session 01

Choose from one of the 4 options:

• Monday, January 26th 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Monday, January 26th 5:30-7:30 PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Tuesday, January 27th 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Tuesday, January 27th 5:30 - 7:30 PM - MC 2065

New! Cornerstone Mentor Sessions

Times and locations depend on your chosen track. This will be shared with you in January.

This term we’re bringing the mentors to you: join your fellow Cornerstone questers and relevant mentors from your area for an in-person discussion of the industry. Tracks include: software, health, deeptech and hardware, creative, small business or consumer and specialty.

Cornerstone Lessons Learned Dinner

• Thursday, February 12th 4:30-8:00 PM Innovation Arena, 280 Joseph St., Kitchener

Join the W26 Cornerstone community for an evening of food and conversation to close the program and celebrate! Prizes will be awarded in a final ceremony.

Register for Cornerstone Now!