The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business thrives because of the generosity and commitment of our donors and friends.
Their support strengthens our ability to deliver accessible, high-impact entrepreneurship education and create opportunities for students to learn, build, and lead.
Driven by a shared belief in giving back and advancing the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the University of Waterloo, Conrad School donors help turn ambition into action. Their contributions empower students to pursue bold ideas, gain hands-on experience, and access a world-class educational environment that prepares them to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
From left to right: Esch Foundation trustees Ross McGovern, Jim Sharples and David Esch; Waterloo Engineering dean Dr. Mary Wells; Bexter team Heidi (Daeun) Han, Osose Itua, Ihn Hwan Kim, Stephen Del Grosso Milek and Dylan Policelli.
Photo credit@ Brett Nelson, P.Eng, PEO Grand River Chapter.
Manfred Conrad (left) and Howard Armitage, Founder of the Conrad School, outside the Accelerator Building in Waterloo.
Manfred Conrad and family
Norman Esch
The Esch Foundation was established in November 2004 by Norman Esch to support students pursuing interdisciplinary applications of engineering sciences and entrepreneurial learning.
After serving in the navy during the Second World War, Esch built a distinguished career in the printing industry. In 1950, he invested his entire savings of $5,000 to launch his own company, eventually founding Graphic Litho-Plate, owning Roto-Tone Gravure, and leading several related ventures. A highly respected business leader and innovator in Toronto’s printing sector, Esch remained committed to advancing opportunity through education until his passing on August 25, 2010, at the age of 92.
Through the generosity of The Esch Foundation, the Norman Esch Entrepreneurship Award was created to expand opportunities for students in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo to pursue entrepreneurship as an alternative to a traditional co-op work term. Each year, nine awards valued at up to $10,000 are presented to full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering participating in the Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program.
Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and a demonstrated entrepreneurial outlook, with preference given to students actively developing technology or engineering-based ventures and who may not otherwise receive funding for entrepreneurial work experiences. These awards empower students to build and test their own ventures while gaining meaningful, hands-on experience during their co-op term.
David Overbeeke
The Overbeeke Family Entrepreneurship Excellence Award is made possible through the generosity of David Overbeeke, a University of Waterloo alumnus (BASc ’85, Mechanical Engineering), whose contribution supports undergraduate engineering students in pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions and advancing their business education. An accomplished global business leader, Overbeeke is the CEO at Champion RCO.
The award recognizes a full-time undergraduate student in the Faculty of Engineering who is pursuing an Enterprise Co-op opportunity and demonstrating strong entrepreneurial potential. Recipients are selected based on the quality of their venture presentation, strength of business model and plan, clarity of business vision, and preparedness to lead a venture or social enterprise, as demonstrated through the beginning-of-term pitch competition.
One scholarship of up to $5,000 is awarded each academic term from Spring 2022 through Fall 2024, helping students take meaningful steps toward building and leading their own ventures.
The Honourable J. Trevor Eyton
The Honourable John Trevor Eyton is a Canadian business executive, former President, CEO and Chairperson of Brascan (now Brookfield Asset Management Inc.), and retired Canadian Senator. Trevor is a lawyer by training, receiving his Bachelor of Arts and his Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Toronto. He was born in Quebec City and raised in both Quebec and Toronto.
Trevor is highly respected for his lengthy service with Brascan Limited, now known as Brookfield Asset Management, a Canadian-based, global asset manager focused on property, renewable power, infrastructure assets, and private equity. Prior to his service to Brascan, Trevor served on numerous public and private company boards across North America.
Appointed to the Senate in 1990 by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Tervor has also served as Chairperson of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and a Governor of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and of Junior Achievement. Eyton passed away at Toronto General Hospital on Sunday, February 24th, 2019.
Make a donation
Support meaningful student experiences and innovation at the Conrad School through partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and philanthropic giving.
Contributions can be directed toward initiatives that enhance student engagement, including pitch and innovation competitions, corporate challenges, networking and roundtable events, Ignition Week programming, and experiential learning opportunities, or toward graduate scholarships and named awards that reduce financial barriers and expand opportunity.
You may also choose to support specific priorities aligned with your interests, from student programming and teaching innovation to research initiatives and dedicated student awards.