We are really excited to announce a new expansion of University of Waterloo’s VeloCity, the VeloCity Workspace. Located in the Communitech Hub in downtown Kitchener (right across from the uWaterloo school of Pharmacy), VeloCity will now offer a co-working environment for very early stage startups coming out of the University of Waterloo. Details are below — big thanks to the Accelerator Centre and the Communitech Hub for helping get this plan together so quickly.

We are looking for startups that are interested in moving in right away! Any questions about this space please comment on this post or email velocity@uwaterloo.ca.

UPDATE: I have set up a page with the below info and the application form at the bottom.

VeloCity Workspace overview

VeloCity is offering a workspace to current and past University of Waterloo students allowing them the opportunity to become Accelerator Centre cliental at a low cost.  Our goal will be to focus on product development and aiding business startup while providing the best possible resources.

What do you get?

Essentially, you will become an Accelerator Centre client, which offers (as their website states):

A professional office space and stimulating work environment. Mentoring and professional support. Administrative support. Access to office equipment such as photocopiers, printers and scanners. Fully equipped meeting rooms, networking areas, and much more.

Through VeloCity we will also offer a set program centered on a 4 month cycle during which an advisory board will receive constant progress updates concerning your startup.  These updates will be used to determine whether or not an offer of an additional four months should be made.

Cost for the space is still yet to be determined, currently it is free.

Eligibility

To apply for a position in the VeloCity workspace you must meet the following requirements:

• A current University of Waterloo student (grad or undergrad), graduate of the University of Waterloo or otherwise have a clear affiliation with the university.
• Founder of an early stage product or service idea considered to fit in the broader ‘digital media or mobile technology’ industry.
• Willing to commit to four months working within the space.

Groups containing founders unaffiliated with the University of Waterloo will be considered, however, at least one founder must meet the first aforementioned criteria.

Apply to get in (the process)

To apply, simply fill out our form (is coming soon, send an email to velocity@uwaterloo.ca for now go to the bottom of this page) requesting name, contact information, and a one-page summary about your idea/product/company. Once submitted, the advisory board will arrange for an interview whereby the entire team will be asked to meet, pitch the idea and undergo a brief interview.

Within the following few days, the advisor board will make its decision and you will then be notified on the next steps.

Current students looking to apply during their cooperative work terms must complete the application and review process before the first round of interviews for the following term are finalized.

Once accepted

Once accepted to the VeloCity workspace, you will be placed in the next available area.  Ideally, start dates will coincide with the school terms at the University of Waterloo (January 1^st, May 1^st, and September 1^st) in order to better accommodate current students looking to use the space during their coop terms.

Startups in the space are eligible for another four month period, if requested, based on the recommendation of the advisory board.  In order to be eligible for another four months there must be notable progress and achievement of milestones.  Note that these decisions will be made by the end of the third month of the quarter.

Move on to the community or Accelerator Centre

The goal of the VeloCity workspace is to help you get a point where you have revenue that will enable you to either become self-sufficient or a strong candidate for a position in the Accelerator Centre.

Advisor Board

• Jesse Rodgers (VeloCity)
• Tim Ellis (Accelerator Centre)
• Kevin Tuer (Communitech Hub)

Other things

1. There will be limited space reserved for current students on co-op terms.
2. A number of items will be provided with the space, including: desks, chairs, internet connections, black and white printing, whiteboards, access to meeting rooms, limited parking, access to the services offered by the Accelerator Centre, a kitchen, some administrative support, and working around a great network of people.
3. Those within the workspace will be granted access to events at the VeloCity residence.
4. It is not necessary to be VeloCity alumni, or a current VeloCity student to apply for the workspace.