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
From homemade matcha to a thriving pop-up
Inspired by their own dietary needs and shared love of matcha, this mother-daughter duo launched Hearty as a pop-up offering handcrafted, premium matcha drinks made with allergy-friendly, clean ingredients. Since then, they have hosted more than 45 events and served more than 1,500 drinks across the Waterloo Region.
Both founders have brought their Conrad School experiences into the venture. Shatha is completed the MBET program, where she gained mentorship, market insights and an entrepreneurial community that supported Hearty's development. Jana, a Mechatronics Engineering student, took BET 300 during Hearty's early stages and applied the course's business planning, analysis and communication tools directly to the venture.
Their story demonstrates how entrepreneurial education can help turn a personal need into a business opportunity and how combining different perspectives, from engineering to business strategy, can help a venture grow.
Canada is the move: Building in Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Waterloo ranked among the world’s top universities for producing entrepreneurs
The University of Waterloo has been ranked the top Canadian university for producing entrepreneurs in PitchBook’s 2026 University Rankings, placing seventh globally and becoming the first Canadian university to break into the top 10.
Waterloo was also recognized as the fastest riser in PitchBook’s rankings for female founders with undergraduate degrees, climbing to 11th globally.
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
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.