Build ventures. Drive innovation. Lead change.
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business in the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering serves as the academic engine for entrepreneurs.
Building on Waterloo’s strong culture of innovation and experiential education, the school provides hands-on learning in venture creation, innovative commercialization, and strategic start-up growth.
Through a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and outreach programs, students gain the skills and experience to launch new ventures, drive innovation within organizations, and lead in rapidly evolving markets.
Conrad School graduates are ambitious, action-oriented decision-makers equipped to transform ideas into impactful business outcomes.
Start your entrepreneurial journey here
"Waterloo has been a main driving force behind Canadian entrepreneurship, powering Canada’s largest tech-corridor network to help innovators move ideas from the lab to the marketplace." - The Waterloo Impact Report 2026.
Undergraduate Students
Enhance your undergraduate degree by joining Conrad School's specialized programs, experiences, and courses.
Graduate Students
Commercialize your ideas and earn your master's degree, PhD, or complement your studies with graduate offerings.
News
Building brands, building businesses
After launching New Valley Brand House as an undergraduate student, Emma Tonellato-Keller (GBDA '20, MBET '21) chose the Conrad School's Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program to strengthen her business skills and grow her venture.
Today, as Founder, CEO and Creative Director of New Valley Brand House, Emma combines creativity, strategy and entrepreneurship to help organizations build meaningful brands. Her story highlights the value of diverse perspectives in entrepreneurship and how MBET empowers founders from all academic backgrounds to turn their ideas into lasting impact.
"MBET won't make entrepreneurship easy, but it will give you the tools to make it possible."
MBET students showcase entrepreneurial innovation at annual Pitch Day
Students in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program recently pitched their innovative ventures during the annual MBET Pitch Day at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.
The day gave MBET students the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial thinking, receive valuable feedback from experienced judges and mentors, and demonstrate how they're turning ideas into impact.
Conrad School professors receive federal funding to advance research on global business and innovation
Dr. Victor Cui, Conrad Research Excellence Chair, and Dr. Felix Arndt, Eyton Director of the Conrad School, are among 37 Waterloo researchers receiving more than $8 million in new SSHRC funding.
Their projects examine the impact of geopolitical shifts, artificial intelligence, and innovation ecosystems on the future of business and society.
Blog
Returning to Waterloo, Rebuilding Momentum
A decade after graduating from the University of Waterloo's Systems Design Engineering program and discovering entrepreneurship through the Conrad School, MBET student James Cheng returned to the university to build a new venture—and found a community, opportunity, and renewed sense of momentum.
Building an immigration engine for high achievers
At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, MBET students apply structured frameworks to turn experience into disciplined venture building. For Joshua, this meant integrating validation, customer discovery, and market insight into every stage of his process—strengthening both his decision-making and confidence as a founder.
Through the program’s hands-on learning, direct faculty feedback, and collaborative community, Joshua advanced BaseLeaf, a SaaS platform simplifying immigration for high achievers. Now live with paying customers and focused on U.S. merit-based pathways, the venture is preparing to scale as part of the Velocity Summer 2026 cohort.
From Cali to Waterloo: finding my "why" in business
MBET student Andres Felipe Toro shares his journey from Colombia to Canada, shaped by diverse experiences across sectors and countries.
Drawn to entrepreneurship as a tool for meaningful change, he is focused on building ventures at the intersection of sustainability, social impact, and viable business. Currently, he is exploring solutions in affordable and transitional housing.
Through the MBET program, he has strengthened his ability to test ideas rigorously while embracing uncertainty as part of the process, all within a diverse community that challenges assumptions and sharpens thinking.
Events
Problem Pitch Competition Finals: Spring 2026
Join us for the Problem Pitch Spring 2026 Competition Finals, hosted by the Problem Lab at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business!
Watch University of Waterloo student teams present compelling, research-driven pitches on real-world problems before a panel of industry judges. Rather than pitching solutions, finalists demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges worth solving, the essential first step in building impactful ventures.
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