How We Help

We built the fund we
wished existed when
we were founders.

Two GPs who've built companies, screened thousands of deals, and sat on both sides of the table. Here's what that means for you.

01 // Capital
The first cheque. Without the circus.
Core cheques of $150k–$1M. Scout cheques of $25k for the very earliest signal. We lead rounds and take 5–7.5% ownership. Our investment committee runs on a fixed weekly cadence — you'll have a decision within two weeks of your first meeting. Every time.
02 // Network
A world-class alumni network, activated.
1 in 4 Canadian unicorn founders graduated from Waterloo. We're embedded at the centre of that ecosystem — inside Velocity Incubator, backed by the UW Endowment. Our LP base includes founders and operators from Instacart to Flutterwave to ApplyBoard. Your next customer or co-investor is probably already in our network.
03 // Fundraising
We make your next raise easier.
We've sat on both sides of the table. When it's time for your next round, we help you sharpen your narrative, prepare materials, and make warm introductions to the right funds. Our portfolio companies don't fundraise in the dark.
04 // Honesty
Blunt feedback. The real answer.
We tell you what we actually think — about your pricing, positioning, team, and narrative. Founders who work with us describe us as the investor they call when they want the real answer. We operate like a co-founder, not a board member.
The Process

A decision in
2 weeks.
Guaranteed.

Our investment committee meets on a fixed weekly cadence. We commit on the second Thursday after our first meeting. No ambiguity, no "we'll circle back." You always know exactly where you stand — yes or a clear no.

We share our diligence questions upfront. No surprises, no last-minute asks. If we're going to pass, we tell you why and we tell you fast.

Based on CVCA data, Velocity Fund was among Canada's most active pre-seed funds in 2024.
Day 0
First meeting
Pitch + initial team and market assessment
Days 1–7
Follow-up & diligence
Questions shared upfront. No surprises.
Days 7–13
Technical diligence + investment memo
We go deep on the tech. We understand what you've built.
Day 14 — Thursday
Term sheet or clear no. Always.
Our Thesis

The Waterloo
advantage.

The University of Waterloo produces more Canadian unicorn founders than any other institution. We've been embedded in the Velocity ecosystem since we were students — our offices sit at the entrance to Velocity Incubator. We see every company from day one, before there's a deck or a round. That's not a network. That's proximity.

~70% of our portfolio

Technical teams
with early signal.

Great founders build from everywhere. When we see a technical team with early customer love, a differentiated insight, and the velocity to execute — regardless of where they went to school — we want to be the first call they make. Waterloo gives us our edge. Signal tells us when to use it.

~30% of our portfolio
What Founders Say
"
We received more valuable mentorship in one hour speaking with Akash than we did in four months from our advisors at one of the leading US biotech accelerators.
Danielle RoseCEO · Ceragen · Velocity portfolio
"
Ross has consistently been the first person I'd seek advice from for the toughest decisions and is often the first person I refer friends to when they're starting up.
Rohit RajanCEO · Dolphyn · Velocity portfolio
"
Float wouldn't exist without Velocity. Full stop. The network of mentors and founders have been hard at work to put Waterloo on the world startup leaderboard.
Griffin KeglevichCTO & Co-founder · Float · $30M Series A
"
I couldn't think of a better team that embodies the values, spirit of entrepreneurship, and community that characterized Velocity's earliest days.
Iyinoluwa AboyejiUW & Velocity alumnus · Co-founder, Andela ($1.5B) and Flutterwave ($3B)
"
The VVF was instrumental to my development and success as an entrepreneur later in life. I wouldn't be here today without it.
Henry ShiUW CS '14 · Co-founder, Super.com · $85M Series C
"
Velocity has the right atmosphere for startups — working beside other people who work day and night on their dreams was an amazing experience.
Martin BasiriCEO & Co-founder · ApplyBoard · $3.2B Series D

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