Five days to see what’s possible.
You don’t need a business plan. You don’t need all the answers. You just need an idea you’re curious enough to explore.
Groundwork is a five-day, hands-on experience that gives you the time, tools and support to take an idea off the page and see what’s possible.
You’ll explore the problem, test your assumptions, build something real and get feedback along the way from CEC coaches, mentors and industry professionals. By the end of the five days, you’ll have a clearer sense of your idea’s potential, what you’ve learned and what to do next.
Maybe it becomes a business. Maybe it becomes a portfolio project. Maybe you discover it’s not the right idea after all.
That’s the point.
Bring the idea. We’ll help you do the groundwork.
What happens at Groundwork?
01
A Hands-On Roadmap
Focused activities and guidance to help you explore your idea, test assumptions and move it forward.
Daily Action Sessions
Short, practical sessions that help you understand the problem, shape your idea and build quickly.
02
Coaching & Mentorship
Feedback, advice and perspective from CEC coaches, mentors and industry professionals.
03
A Place to Build
Dedicated co-working space at Waterloo Campus, with quiet zones and collaborative meeting rooms—or join online.
04
A Proof of Concept
Build a tangible version of your idea that you can demonstrate, test and continue developing.
05
A Clearer Path Forward
Leave with evidence, insights and next steps to decide whether—and how—to take your idea further.
06
Don't have an idea yet?
Start here.
The Groundwork Idea Clinic is a 90-minute, hands-on session designed to help you find an idea worth exploring.
You’ll tap into your interests and experiences, spot problems and opportunities, and turn them into ideas you can take into Groundwork.
You’ll also meet other students and potential collaborators along the way.
Tuesday, October 20 · 5:30–7 PM · Virtual
How the five days work
Learn in the morning. Build in the afternoon.
Each day combines focused sessions with dedicated build time, giving you the structure to keep moving and the flexibility to work at your own pace.
Get support when you need it. CEC coaches, mentors and industry professionals will be available throughout the week to help you work through questions, test your thinking and keep your idea moving.
Join in person at Waterloo Campus or online.
EXPLORE
BUILD
REFINE
TEST
DEMO
Monday · October 26 | Foundation & Discovery
9:45 AM — Registration
10 AM–2 PM — Foundation & Discovery
Pinpoint the problem you’re solving. Explore your customers, define the opportunity and understand the “why” before building the “what.”
2 PM onward — Build Block
Dig deeper into your customers and market, shape your idea and begin building.
Tuesday · October 27 | Turn Your Idea Into a POC
10 AM–12 PM — From Discovery to Build
Turn what you’ve learned into a plan for your core product or solution.
2 PM onward — Build Block
Start building your Proof of Concept with coaches and mentors available for support and feedback.
Wednesday · October 28 | Build, Test & Iterate
10 AM–12 PM — Check-In & Feedback
Get a mid-week reality check, troubleshoot challenges and use quick feedback loops to keep moving.
2 PM onward — Build Block
Refine your Proof of Concept and respond to what you’re learning.
Thursday · October 29 | Polish & Prepare
10 AM–12 PM — Demo Prep
Learn how to communicate what you built and prepare for your final demo.
2 PM onward — Final Build Block
Finish your Proof of Concept and get ready to show it.
Friday · October 30 | Demo & Next Steps
10 AM–12 PM — Live Demos
Show what you built, celebrate the progress and get feedback from coaches, mentors and industry professionals.
Next step: Use what you learned to decide where your idea goes from here.