Turn ideas into action. Build ventures. Drive innovation. Lead change.
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is the University of Waterloo’s catalyst for entrepreneurship and transformation, creating conditions for change.
Within the Faculty of Engineering, we bridge business, technology and engineering to turn ideas and opportunities into action and impact. Through education, experiential learning, venture creation, commercialization and innovation, we help move what’s possible forward.
The Conrad School develops entrepreneurial thinkers, builders and leaders who can launch ventures, drive innovation within organizations and create meaningful change.
Find your opportunity to build what's next.
Whether you're exploring an idea, building a venture, commercializing research or looking to drive change within an organization, the Conrad School gives you the knowledge, tools. experience and connections to move forward.
Undergraduate Students
Add entrepreneurship and innovation to your Waterloo experience.
Explore opportunities, develop entrepreneurial skills and gain hands-on experience turning ideas into action.
Graduate Students
Take your ideas, research and ambitions further.
Build the skills to launch ventures, commercialize innovation, lead products and drive transformation.
Partnership Opportunities
Connect to create opportunities for collaboration, innovation and impact.
Partner on student projects, engage with programs, enhance student experiences or collaborate on research.
Entrepreneurship Hub
Take your ideas beyond the classroom.
Explore hands-on programs, workshops, competitions, and communities that help you test ideas, build skills and turn possibility into action.
News
Alumni Impact Series: Kamal Lutfi (MBET ’21)
After the closure of his first venture during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamal Lutfi entered the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program seeking a structured path to relaunch as a founder in Canada’s innovation ecosystem. MBET provided the clarity, community, and disciplined approach he needed to rebuild his entrepreneurial foundation.
Kamal credits the program with reshaping his leadership, strengthening his customer-development discipline, and teaching him to leverage Waterloo’s innovation network. He learned to treat each iteration as a hypothesis and to view failure as valuable data.
Today, Kamal is building a purpose-driven venture grounded in validated opportunity and long-term impact. He continues to stay connected to the Conrad School through mentorship, sharing real-world experience, and creating opportunities for future founders. His journey reflects MBET’s core mission: transforming setbacks into strategy and empowering resilient, evidence-based entrepreneurship.
Problem Pitch Fall 2025 competition finals
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is set to host the Problem Lab’s Problem Pitch Fall 2025 Competition Finals, where student teams will demonstrate the depth of their research into important real-world problems.
Sponsored by Quantum Valley Investments®, the competition awards $7,500 to the team that shows the strongest understanding of the problem they aim to solve.
This year’s finalists represent a wide range of challenges and innovative thinking, supported by a panel of accomplished judges from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Larry Smith: empowering students to reach their full potential for 45 years
This week, Waterloo News shines a spotlight on professor Larry Smith, who marks a remarkable 45-year milestone of teaching at the University of Waterloo. Over four decades, Smith has become a pillar of the university’s entrepreneurial spirit, helping build its reputation for innovation, risk-taking, and real-world relevance.
Blog
Advancing professionally and personally: an MBET student perspective
From the beginning of my journey at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Waterloo, I felt that I had made the right choice. The environment of innovation and cultural diversity here allowed me to connect with people with incredible professional trajectories from all over the world!
From large companies like Apple and Facebook to entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized businesses of colleagues from China, Egypt, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, and many other places.
What makes the experience here so unique is the combination of a welcoming environment and a challenging curriculum that together promote both personal and professional growth.
MBET student gets real-world venture capital experience
The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on training in venture capital investing through the University of Waterloo's Student Venture Fund (SVF).
Not only do students gain real-world experience sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, and pitching investments, but they also have the opportunity to participate in a prestigious venture capital competition.
This year, full-time MBET student Hisham Ismail had the honour of representing the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the annual Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. This marked the first time an MBET student had attended the competition, which draws top MBA talent from around the world!
Beyond Academics: The MBET Experience
The University of Waterloo values experiential learning that takes student experience beyond academics. This is exactly why Kevin Ye, MBET candidate 2024, was drawn to explore the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program.
Events
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning September 23rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of PSE, outside the C&D, from 3-5 pm for a chat and to connect.
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning September 23rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of PSE, outside the C&D, from 3-5 pm for a chat and to connect.
What will you catalyze?
Whether you're building a venture, commercializing research, developing new products or driving change within an organization, the Conrad School can help you take the next step.