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

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Idea Session

Looking for inspiration?

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

• Monday, September 14th - 5:30–7:30 PM - 1st Floor Ideas Clinic, PSE

Sign Up For The Idea Session!

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Fall 2026 Schedule

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

Cornerstone Orientation

The official start of Cornerstone, get onboarded to our Cornerstone Discord channel, meet Velocity staff and accept your Cornerstone quest! Mandatory to help you prepare to successfully complete the program.

Come to either:

• Thursday, September 17th, 1–3 PM – PSE, 1427 - 1st floor Ideas Clinic
• Thursday, September 17th, 5:30–7:30 PM – PSE, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic

Cornerstone Week 1: Effective Introductions & Electric Insights

Learn key strategies for conducting effective customer interviews, finding and connecting with stakeholders and translating insights into action.

Choose from one of the two options:

• Monday, September 21st, 5:30–7:30 PM – Virtual (Teams)
• Tuesday, September 22nd, 5:30–7:30 PM – Virtual (Teams)

Links will be emailed to you.

Cornerstone Week 2: Mentor & Track Meetup

Meet up with other teams in your mentor group and get support from mentors with learning more about your industry and developing a strong Lessons Learned reflection.

Choose from one of the two options:

• Monday, September 28th, 5:30–7:30 PM – PSE, 2409 - 2nd floor Ideas Clinic
• Tuesday, September 29th, Time TBD

Cornerstone Final Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Join the cohort for a final celebration of your hard work and see who wins the awards!

• Thursday, October 8th, 4:30–6:30 PM – Innovation Arena, 280 Joseph St., Kitchener

Note: At least one team member must be a current student at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, or Conestoga College to participate.