VR Start-Up Ready Studio

​Develop confidence and clarity in delivering startup and innovation pitches!

​​​💻 VR Start-Up Ready Studio - VR Practice, AI Feedback + Industry Partner Keynote
📅 Tuesday, January 27 | 🕐 1:00 – 3:00 pm

​📍Location: Centennial College, Progress Campus, 941 Progress Ave, Scarborough, ON M1G 3T8, Room L1-16

​Map:

​Parking:

​Closest Parking Lots are #2 and #3 
Visitor Parking is available in Lot #2, Lot #3 North, Lot #6 North, and Lot #7. You can pay for parking with a credit card at the exit gate. You can also pay with cash, debit, or credit card payment at Pay on Foot terminals located at the A Block first floor, at the C Block first floor, the L Block first floor main (west) entrance, and the Student Centre main (north) entrance.

​🗓️ Program Schedule & Structure

​​Program Schedule & Structure 🗓️

​1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

​VR Start-Up Simulation Practice + Group Activity

​• Participate in immersive VR start-up and pitch simulations
• Practice founder introductions, vision articulation, and value propositions
• Role-play start-up scenarios (elevator pitches, investor meetings, team alignment discussions)
• Peer feedback and guided reflection

​2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

​VR Start-Up Simulation Practice 2 + Group Activity 2

​• Advanced start-up scenarios with real-time challenges and audience pressure
• AI-driven feedback on pitch clarity, confidence, storytelling, and leadership presence
• Iterative improvement through repeat pitching and coaching

​2:30 pm – 2:40 pm

​Industry Partner Keynote

​• Insights into start-up ecosystems, investor expectations, and innovation trends
• Funding pathways, accelerators, and early-stage founder skills

​2:40 pm – 3:00 pm

​Live Pitch Showcase, Networking & Program Close

​• Live elevator pitch and concept presentations
• Expert and peer feedback from facilitators and industry partners
• Networking with founders, mentors, and ecosystem partners
• Program wrap-up and next steps

​Keynote Speaker:

​Bridget Ofosu is a Centennial College alumna who graduated with a Social Service Worker diploma with Leadership Distinction. She is the CEO of Be Authentic Consultations, a UGC Creator, Business Consultant, and Co-President of the DCE Organization. In 2024, she was a recipient of the CIBWE Award, which recognizes Black women for outstanding leadership, innovation, and community impact. Over the years, Bridget has built strong knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship and business, and she is passionate about contributing to COIE’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem through innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

​We have had incredible business professionals like Nancy Wilson (CEO, Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce), Ron Tsang (Centennial School of Business, Author and Speaker) and Stan Peake mentor our VR Studio cohort and guide them to success!

​View our previous VR Studio Events: https://accel.centennialcollege.ca/entrepreneurs/vr-pitching-studio/

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​Practice in realistic VR environments: Elevator pitches, investor boardrooms, and conference stages, while receiving live feedback on pacing, presence, and audience engagement.

​​The VR Start-Up Ready Studio is an intensive 1-day innovation and pitch training workshop designed to help emerging founders, creators, and innovators develop confidence, clarity, and high-impact communication skills.

​Using Virtual Reality start-up simulation environments, AI-powered performance feedback, and expert-led coaching, participants will learn how to refine their ideas and build structured business concepts. Whether on a conference stage, in an investor boardroom, or during an elevator pitch, participants will leave with the tools to pitch with precision and presence.

​​Start-up Industry Keynote and Networking 🎓

​To elevate the experience, students will participate in a live Pitch Showcase, featuring a keynote presentation by an industry partner (to be announced). Participants will present their start-up ideas, gain valuable insights into emerging innovation trends, and receive expert feedback—plus a chance to network and win micro-grant and internship/job placement.

​Program Frameworks:

• ​​Business Model Canvas (BMC):

  • ​Helps participants map their start-up idea on one page

  • ​Clarifies value proposition, customers, revenue streams, and key resources

  • ​Encourages quick, collaborative, strategic thinking

• ​Pecha Kucha Pitch Framework:

  • ​20 slides × 20 seconds each for a fast, engaging pitch

  • ​Builds clarity, discipline, and strong storytelling skills

  • ​Ideal for investor meetings, demo days, and public presentations

• ​Combined Impact:

  • ​BMC shapes a solid business foundation

  • ​Pecha Kucha turns that strategy into a compelling, memorable pitch

  • ​Participants learn to think like founders and present like professionals

​​Upon completion, students will earn a Centennial College Certificate in VR Start-Up Readiness and gain access to mentorship support for career development.

​​Program Benefits 👀

​​🌟 FREE refreshments provided for all on-site sessions
🌟 Official Centennial College Certificate in VR Start-up Readiness
🌟 Pathway to participate in COIE’s upcoming Pitch event Demo Day!

​​Participants move forward with exclusive mentorship and career growth opportunities, exploring funding, incubators, and accelerator programs while building a custom roadmap from idea to impact.

​​​We can't wait to see you there!