Students at the University of Waterloo are constantly generating bold, creative ideas but finding the right spaces to advance them and make an impact can be challenging. Opportunities to connect with both the campus community and the broader Waterloo ecosystem are essential for turning those ideas into reality. Last week, Velocity’s Innovation Open House brought these opportunities directly to students, gathering a wide range of organizations dedicated to supporting student innovation. The event set the stage for students to discover just how many pathways exist to bring their ideas to life.
There were ten groups and initiatives present at the event; from entrepreneurial and startup support to social innovation and early‑stage idea development. For many students, it was a chance to explore resources, build relationships, and discover how they can shape innovation both on campus and across the city.
Velocity, the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, and the Lanterna Black Innovation Hub (LBIH) all provide support for startups and entrepreneurial ventures. Velocity is known for hands‑on programming, pitch competitions, and early‑stage venture support. The Conrad School offers a more academic pathway, with structured courses and venture‑creation frameworks. LBIH provides tailored support for Black entrepreneurs through coaching, networking, and community‑building as well as a social “Fridays at 5” gathering. Together, these groups offer students multiple entry points into entrepreneurship.
Faculty‑specific innovation groups were also represented. Math Innovation supports students working at the intersection of mathematics and real‑world applications, helping them advance their ideas and startups. The Pearl Sullivan Engineering Ideas Clinic offers hands‑on engineering design experiences and workshops that strengthen practical problem‑solving skills. These faculty‑rooted initiatives show how innovation can grow directly from academic disciplines.
Organizations such as GreenHouse and the Grebel Peace Incubator focus on social innovation and community impact. GreenHouse supports student ventures addressing community needs, climate action, and social challenges. The Grebel Peace Incubator centers its work on peacebuilding, justice, and later stage social impact initiatives. Their presence highlights the diversity of the various initiatives at Waterloo, proving that innovation can not only take form in technological advances but also meaningful social change.
Finally, The Library for Entrepreneurship and Socratica also help students in the early stages of innovation. The Library for Entrepreneurship provides market research tools, databases, and workshops that help students build strong foundations for their ventures. Socratica, in contrast, fosters creativity, offering a collaborative weekly maker space for non-school projects. Together, these spaces and sources help students refine their thinking, validate ideas, and prepare for the next steps in their innovation journey. By supporting the earliest sparks of creativity, these groups ensure that students have the confidence and clarity to move forward.
Altogether, the Innovation Open House showed just how many doors are open to students who want to build, explore, or experiment with new ideas. Whether someone is dreaming up a startup, tackling a social challenge, or just taking their first steps into the world of innovation, there’s a community ready to support them. The groups at this event provide students with the resources and tools to make Waterloo a place where ideas are more than just dreams.