$15,000 in cash prizes up for grabs

Ready to make a real impact in the future of cities and communities? Join the Future Cities Institute and Velocity for the Future Cities Innovation Challenge!

‍Who: All University of Waterloo students. No experience necessary!
What: A two-week challenge to flex your creativity and problem-solving skills
When: June 8-19, 2026
Why: Your ideas could contribute to the creation of more resilient cities and communities.

What’s in it for you?

• Team up: Collaborate with fellow students to tackle real-world problems in a variety of problem spaces.

• Make friends: Connect with like-minded peers and grow your network.

• Learn from the best: Gain insights and mentorship from housing industry experts from across the country.

• Innovate: Discover groundbreaking ways to create evidence-based scalable solutions that build more resilient communities and cities.

Note: You don't need to have a team to register; you can register as an individual.

How can you be part of it?

Kick-off Event:

🗓️ Monday, June 8.

⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 p.m

📍 University of Waterloo campus. (Exact location TBD)

• Info and team formation session: Dive into the problem spaces, challenge schedule, prizing, and everything you need to get started.

• Food and refreshments: Enjoy a light dinner while meeting your team and gearing up for the challenge!

Key mandatory dates

Kick-off event: Monday, June 8 | 4:00-6:00 PM | Location TBD

• Mandatory for all participants to find team members and problem space

Project showcase: Wednesday, June 17 | 4:30- 6:00 PM | Innovation Arena, 280 Joseph St, Kitchener

• Mandatory for all teams that advance to the Top 16

Final awards and presentations: Friday, June 19 | 1:30–4:00 PM | Innovation Arena, 280 Joseph St, Kitchener

• Mandatory for all teams that advance to the Top 8

At least one member from each team must attend other events such as workshops and advisor office hours.

Questions? Email us

Don’t miss out –  Register Now!