Waterloo innovators excel at creating technologies that fuel positive change. Delivering high-impact solutions for industry and society is a differentiating strength of our University and a priority of our long-term vision, Waterloo at 100.
Strong relationships with alumni and industry partners enable us to achieve this bold ambition. In support of those relationships, I recently attended the Collision conference in Toronto with University and business leaders, Waterloo graduates and entrepreneurs. Collision promotes technology and entrepreneurship as forces for good in the world, making it a key destination for Waterloo innovators who solve problems on a global scale. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase the founders of game-changing startups from our University and connect with highly engaged alumni who live and work in the Greater Toronto Area.
Waterloo hosted masterclasses on the potential of generative AI and new approaches to responsible technology development.
Waterloo was proud to be a sponsor of Collision this year, and we used this opportunity to grow our entrepreneurial community. At a reception hosted by Velocity, Waterloo’s signature entrepreneurship program, we shared some of our latest accomplishments with successful founders, investors and corporate leaders, many of whom were also proud Waterloo graduates. Together, we celebrated milestones for the program including the launch of Velocity Fund II and the groundbreaking of Velocity’s future home, the Innovation Arena.
New and existing partners were excited to discuss these developments and explore future collaborations with our entrepreneurial community. Like many of our partners, the colleagues we met at Collision recognized that Waterloo has a track record of entrepreneurial success that stems from our institution’s deep ties with industry, our renowned co-op program and our “creator-owned” IP policy.
Experts from Velocity shared insights on how to successfully grow a business during a panel discussion at Collision.
What stands out for most of our collaborators is the community that supports our founders through the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Many who start their companies at Waterloo stay in our region to grow their ventures. Often, they remain actively engaged in our startup community as mentors or advisors on new initiatives. Their support inspires not only the students who follow in their footsteps, but also the investors, business leaders and donors who join us in creating opportunities for new ventures to flourish.
As we continue our work together, I look forward to celebrating the impact of our next generation of founders. By combining their technical expertise with their creativity and their commitment to more equitable, sustainable futures, these trailblazers will deliver solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. They will succeed not only because they have exceptional talent and motivation, but because they have the support of an extraordinary community that shares their vision.
Nenone Donaldson
Vice-President, Advancement