The hardest part of building Webstory wasn’t writing the code. It was deciding what to let go.

For TWU business student Torge Stehr, that decision—made after months of user testing and uncomfortable data—marked the real beginning of his journey as a founder inside EMBARK, Trinity Western University’s venture incubator.

Stehr didn’t come to TWU with a polished pitch deck or a clear roadmap. What he brought instead was technical ability, a habit of building, and a conviction that his education—and his entrepreneurship—should be grounded in faith. Through EMBARK, those instincts began to take shape into something more disciplined, honest, and purposeful.

Choosing TWU: A Decision Rooted in Faith and Formation

Before coming to Canada, Stehr spent time at a Bible school in Australia. At the time, university wasn’t part of his plan.

“I always felt university was too theoretical,” he recalls. “I wanted to build things, not just learn about them.”

That perspective began to shift during his time in Australia. Through prayer and reflection, Stehr sensed a calling to pursue formal education—but in an environment where faith would not be sidelined.

“I didn’t want to build my future while completely disregarding my faith,” he says. “I wanted my education to be grounded in it.”

After connecting with Canadian peers and learning more about Trinity Western University, Stehr felt a clear conviction that TWU was where he was meant to be. That sense was confirmed during orientation, when he experienced something unexpected: faculty members praying over incoming students.

“That moment stood out to me,” he says. “I realized this was a place where professors actually cared about students as people.”

A Builder Before a Business Student

Stehr’s inclination toward building started early. At 15, he launched his first small web development business in Germany—going so far as to petition a court for permission to register a company as a minor.

“I’ve always loved building,” he says. “Even when projects didn’t take off, the joy was in creating.”

But he also recognized a gap.

“I was strong technically, but weak on the business side,” he explains. “I wanted to learn how to actually make something sustainable.”

That desire—to pair technical ability with business understanding—ultimately led him to the School of Business at TWU.

Discovering EMBARK Before Day One

Stehr learned about EMBARK before he had even enrolled at TWU. While researching the university, he came across the incubator on LinkedIn and applied—initially for an internship—before he even landed on TWU campus.

“I was excited because EMBARK wasn’t just about ideas,” he says. “It was about people, mentorship, and actually doing the work.”

For Stehr, EMBARK represented something university alone could not: access to a community of founders, mentors, and peers who would challenge him to test assumptions and engage the real world.

“That network,” he says, “has probably been the biggest return on investment of my education.”

Learning the Discipline of Entrepreneurship

Through EMBARK, Stehr was introduced to Lean Startup principles and the discipline of validation—less building in isolation, more listening and learning from users.

“That’s been one of the hardest lessons for me,” he admits. “I love building. But EMBARK kept pushing me to talk to people first.”

Mentorship played a central role. Stehr describes regular conversations with EMBARK Director Ian Angell as formative.

“Ian is very direct,” Stehr says. “He’ll tell you when something isn’t working. It can hurt in the moment, but it’s exactly what you need.”

That honesty, paired with accountability, helped Stehr begin to think not just like a developer, but like a founder.

Balancing Faith, Academics, and a Startup

The journey hasn’t been easy. As an international student, Stehr faced academic pressure, part‑time work, and language challenges—particularly heavy reading loads in his first semester.

“There were nights I was doing homework until one or two in the morning,” he says. “Sometimes you wonder if the sacrifices are worth it.”

Yet he also describes a surprising truth: working on Webstory often felt like rest.

“School and making money felt like work,” he says with a smile. “Building Webstory felt like free time.”

Support from EMBARK and from faculty across TWU helped him stay grounded during those demanding seasons.

Webstory: Learning Through Real‑World Testing

Webstory began as an experiment: a platform that allows organizations to build video‑based websites designed for more authentic, human communication.

“One of our earliest test cases happened through a Bible school in Australia,” Stehr explains, led by his co‑founder and mentor, Callum. “It wasn’t about scaling—it was about learning.”

The results were instructive. While users spent significantly more time on the site, conversion rates didn’t improve.

“That was humbling,” Stehr admits. “The numbers didn’t lie. It forced us to rethink our assumptions.”

Through further user testing—including sessions with TWU students—Stehr and his team began to explore new directions, including applications in education and micro‑learning.

“The biggest lesson,” he says, “is not to fall in love with your idea. Stay flexible.”

Becoming a Different Kind of Leader

Asked what kind of leader he hopes to become, Stehr’s answer is simple and reflective.

“I want my life to point to God,” he says. “Through how I treat people, how I lead, and how I build.”

He describes a leadership style grounded in trust, responsibility, and honest feedback—encouraging people while also challenging them to grow.

That posture aligns closely with EMBARK’s philosophy: forming founders not just to launch ventures, but to lead with integrity.

A Message to Students Who Are Hesitant to Start

For TWU students who have ideas but feel unready, Stehr offers candid encouragement.

“Doing something—even if it fails—teaches you more than waiting to be perfect,” he says. “Initiative matters.”

In a rapidly changing world, he believes courage and curiosity are as valuable as grades.

“The opportunities right now are incredible,” he adds. “If you feel called to build something, start. You won’t waste the time.”

EMBARK is Trinity Western University’s venture incubator, supporting early‑stage founders through mentorship, validation, and real‑world learning. By bringing together students from diverse disciplines, EMBARK helps cultivate an entrepreneurial culture grounded in purpose, integrity, and collaboration.