What is Cornerstone?

Cornerstone helps students from any faculty who are enthusiastic to explore their potential ideas, and that want to join a like-minded community over two weeks to take action.

The Cornerstone program is focused on getting outside the university to speak to potential customers and simplifies the process of taking the next step, building confidence, and opening doors to build your idea for real.

No pitch deck. No pressure. No technical skills required

Cornerstone is Velocity’s challenge where over two weeks you’ll test your idea, potentially meet your first users, and build confidence in your idea. You’ll join a supportive community of students who are all taking their first steps into entrepreneurship — with coaching, mentorship, and the chance to win 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

Don’t have an idea quite yet?

The Cornerstone idea session is a fun, one-day event on May 14 to explore ideas, meet collaborators, and start forming teams.

Already have an idea?

You can skip and go straight to Cornerstone Orientation on May 22, where you’ll get onboarded, meet Velocity staff, and accept your Cornerstone quest.

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Spring 25 Schedule

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

Cornerstone Idea Session | Wednesday, May 14

A fun, one-day event to explore ideas, meet collaborators, and start forming teams. This for you if you don’t have an idea and need some help with brainstorming and want to explore what Cornerstone is all about!

• Session A: 1:30 - 3:30 PM - E7-2317/2357 or,
• Session B: 5:30 - 7:30 PM - E7 2nd floor Ideas Clinic

Cornerstone Orientation | Thursday, May 22

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

• Session A: 9:00 - 11:00 AM - E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: 12:00 - 2:00 PM - E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session C: 2:00 - 4:00 PM - E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic

Cornerstone Session One | Monday, May 26

• Session A: 1:30 - 3:30 PM - E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: 5:00 - 7:00 PM - E7 2nd Floor Ideas Clinic

Cornerstone Session Two | Monday, June 2

• Session A: 1:30 - 3:30 PM - E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic or,
• Session B: 5:00 - 7:00 PM - E7 2nd Floor Ideas Clinic

Cornerstone Final Dinner | Thursday - June 5

Join the S25 Cornerstone community for an evening of food and conversation to close the program and discuss next steps.

• Thursday June 2nd, 4:30-8 PM, Velocity Innovation Arena (280 Joseph St, Kitchener ON, N2G 4Z5)

Register now