Startup Studio
Transform innovative ideas into working projects utilizing advanced mobile, social, cloud, web, data, and generative AI technologies. Experience the entrepreneurial journey in a startup-style environment.
Course Overview
This project-based course (SENG 480A/BCOM 450) at the University of Victoria gives students the tools and skills to rapidly develop and transform innovative ideas into working projects. Experience startup-style development with:
- Team-based project development with real deliverables
- Industry mentorship from successful entrepreneurs
- Agile development practices and modern workflows
- Human-centered design thinking methodologies
- Interaction design and user experience principles
- Real-world challenges with tight deadlines
- Self-directed learning and problem-solving
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration between software engineering, computer science and business students
What You'll Build
Each team designs and develops a complete solution from concept to deployment:
- Live web or mobile application with public BETA
- Comprehensive project documentation
- Professional team website and portfolio
- Business model and value proposition
- User research and market validation
- Technical architecture and deployment
Teams comprise both business and computer science students, closely mentored by industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs.
Course Schedule
Note: This schedule will be updated for 2025. Dates and topics subject to change. Check Brightspace for current semester details.
| Week | Tentative Topics | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction, Ideation & Opportunity Recognition | Workshop |
| 2 | Creativity for Ideation, Team Formation | Interactive |
| 3 | Value Proposition Canvas Workshop | 🚩 Project Proposals |
| 4 | Customer Discovery, IP & Founder Insights | Guest Speakers |
| 5 | MVP & UX Prototyping, Project Management | Hands-on |
| 6 | Milestone Presentations | 🚩 Proof of Concept |
| 7 | Business Model Canvas, Industry Insights | Workshop |
| 8 | Product Development, Customer Validation | Team Work |
| 9 | Milestone Presentations | 🚩 Release Candidate |
| 10 | AI in Business, Technology Trends | Panel Discussion |
| 11 | Scaling & Growth Strategies | Case Studies |
| 12 | Funding, Legal Framework, Next Steps | Preparation |
| 13 | Final Presentations & Demo Day 🎊 | 🚩 Public Launch |
| 14 | Portfolio Completion & Reflection | 🏁 Final Submission |
Instructors & Mentors
Teaching Team
Callum Curtis
Teaching Assistant, Software Engineering
University of Victoria
Industry Mentors
Rob Bennett
COO & Program Director
VIATEC
Brandon Wright
Founder & CEO
BRNKL
Jerome Etwaroo
Director
Coast Capital Innovation Center
Annabel Youens
Founder
FairShare & Appreciation Engine
Notable Guest Speakers in 2024 and 2025
Don Mattrick
CEO, Prometheus Ventures Inc
Former President at EA, Microsoft, Zynga
Steven Myhill-Jones
Entrepreneur/Investor, Founder of Latitude Geographics
Chairman/CEO Daily Journal Corporation
Juan Orrego
Co-Founder & CEO
Cuboh
Nicole Smith
Founder & CEO
Flytographer
Jack Campbell
Co-Founder & CEO
RentSimple
Garry Van Soest
Serial Founder
Maxwell Nicholson
Founder
Blossom Social
Aislinn Sirk
Research Partnerships & Innovation Manager
University of Victoria
Andrew Wilkinson
Co-Founder & Chairman
Tiny Capital & MetaLab
Student Projects (2025)
Amazing Projects Coming Soon!
Our 2025 student teams are currently working on innovative projects that will solve real-world problems.
External Links
💡 What Makes This Course Special
Build products that solve actual problems
Network with successful entrepreneurs
Graduate with startup experience
Cross-disciplinary collaboration at the frontier of generative AI