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 September 10th to explore ideas, meet collaborators, and start forming teams.

OPTIONAL! Cornerstone Idea Session

• Wednesday, September 10 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic, E7, 2409.

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!

Already have an idea?

Register for F25 Cornerstone Now!

Go directly to the Cornerstone Orientation on September 17th, where you’ll get onboarded, meet Velocity staff, and accept your Cornerstone quest.

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Fall 25 Schedule

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

The listed sessions (A, B, C, D) are identical in content; you can choose the one that best fits your schedule.

Cornerstone Orientation | Wednesday, September 17

The official start of Cornerstone. Get onboarded, meet Velocity staff and accept your Cornerstone quest.

• Session A: 12:30-2:30PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: 5:00-7:00 PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic.

Cornerstone Session One

Learn how to connect with key stakeholders through warm introductions from your cohort. Choose from one of the 4

options:

• Session A: Monday, September 22 | 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: Monday, September 22 | 5:30-7:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session C: Tuesday, September 23 | 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session D: Tuesday, September 23 | 5:30-7:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic.

Cornerstone Session Two

Explore what you have learned so far in your experiences, extract insights, and improve your strategies. Choose from one of the 4options:

• Session A: Monday, September 29 | 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: Monday, September 29 | 5:30-7:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session C: Tuesday, September 30 | 1:30-3:30 PM, E7, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session D: Tuesday, September 30 | 5:30-7:30 PM, E7, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic.

Cornerstone Final Dinner | Thursday - October 9

Join the F25 Cornerstone community for an evening of food and conversation to close the program and celebrate!

• Thursday, October 9th, 4:30-8 PM, Velocity Innovation Arena (280 Joseph St, Kitchener ON, N2G 4Z5)‍
  

Register for Cornerstone Now!