VelocityCase Competition

Open Minds Foundation presents

Business ideas for a coast worth protecting.

Victoria · September 19, 2026 · Free to enter

Victoria's first student-led ocean-conservation business case competition brings 180+ students together to solve one local challenge — and gives the top five teams a path to implementation.

Register your team Explore Velocity
Aerial view of the University of Victoria campus beside the water
Elliott Building · University of Victoria · Victoria, BC
180+student competitors
36+competing teams
$1,000CAD grand prize
$0entry fee

01 / The premise

A local case. A real place. A wider horizon.

Read about Velocity

Vancouver Island's coastline is among the most striking in the world — and its marine ecosystems face real pressure. Velocity asks high school students to design innovative, sustainable solutions to a localized ocean issue, grounded in actual environmental data from the Victoria region.

It is a one-day experience built to make ambitious thinking accessible: no entry fee, no flights, and no need to leave the Island to take part.

02 / The day

A fast day with room to think.

From the first case release to the final presentation, teams move through a clear sequence of research, building and delivery.

See the full schedule
  1. 10:00

    Opening ceremony

    Welcome, context, judges and mentors.

  2. 11:30

    Case release

    Teams begin research, ideation and solution building.

  3. 14:45

    Presentations

    All teams deliver to assigned judging panels.

  4. 18:45

    Awards

    The day closes with finalist presentations and recognition.

03 / Reach & outcome

The case should travel further than the room.

Velocity is planned for 180+ students and 36+ teams. The top five solutions can continue into the Project Incubator with support from OMF, partners and sponsors.

See how reach becomes outcome
180+planned student competitors
36+planned competing teams
5solutions selected for the incubator path
1local ocean-conservation challenge

05 / The organizers

Youth-led, community-rooted.

Open Minds Foundation is a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to equitable, high-impact educational experiences. The Velocity team brings that purpose into one carefully run day for students, mentors, judges and partners.

Meet the organization
  1. 01

    Make access real

    Keep the competition free and geographically reachable for Island students.

  2. 02

    Make the day work

    Coordinate cases, judging, mentorship, presentations and the opportunity fair.

  3. 03

    Make ideas move

    Connect the strongest solutions to the people and resources that can help them grow.

September 19, 2026 · Victoria, BC

Put a good idea in motion.

Register now