Current graduate students

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Celebrating Excellence in Teaching

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business in the Faculty of Engineering is proud to share that Professor Chris Holt has been named a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Performance Award!

This award is a reflection of the energy, drive, and passion Professor Holt brings to the classroom. His dedication to student learning, his ability to make complex concepts accessible, and his commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment make him a standout educator at Waterloo.

Meet Nikki McDonald, a student in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program at the University of Waterloo and a powerhouse on and off the ice.

In our latest blog, Nikki shares how her journey as a student-athlete shaped her path to entrepreneurship. From battling imposter syndrome to co-founding NextPlayNetwork, a platform that helps student-athletes transition into professional success, Nikki's story is all about clarity, persistence, and adaptability.

“Purpose goes beyond entrepreneurship and athletics; it’s the reason behind long hours and hard sacrifices.”

Read her full journey and what it takes to build a venture — and chase championships — at the same time.

Friday, July 11, 2025 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Conrad Blender ft. Guest Speaker Ryan Gallagher

Join us for a Conrad networking meetup with students from the Conrad E Co-op, BETS, BET 300, and MBET programs.

We’re excited to welcome Ryan Gallagher, CEO of Scribenote, an Enterprise Co-op alumni and winner of the Problem Pitch Competition, as our invited speaker. Ryan will share insights from his entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned while building his startup.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow students, alumni, and members of the Conrad community.

Register today! Spots are limited.

Entrepreneurship scholar and global leader joins the Conrad School to advance innovation and interdisciplinary growth.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is excited to welcome Dr. Felix Arndt as its new director, effective July 1, 2025. A global leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability, Dr. Arndt brings deep academic expertise and a proven track record of turning research into real-world impact.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Arndt lead the Conrad School into its next chapter of growth, global engagement, and interdisciplinary innovation.

From a motorcycle crash in August 2022 to founding a peer‑powered mental wellness platform, Jerome Mugambi embodies the resilience and community mindset fostered in Waterloo’s MBET program. 

Within twelve months of the accident, he rode coast‑to‑coast across Canada to confront fear head‑on, built a nationwide motorcycling community, and reignited his passion for basketball through youth coaching. 

Today, his startup OpenUp uses AI‑assisted mentor matching to make mental health support radically accessible, an idea refined through League  of  Innovators, DMZ, YSpace, Innovation  Factory, and Builders Club  Waterloo.

Friday, June 6, 2025 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Conrad School Blender and Problem Pitch Competition Billion Dollar Category Review

Join us at the Conrad Blender Meetup: a dynamic networking event and info session on the Problem Pitch Competition Billion Dollar Category!

Connect with fellow students exploring entrepreneurship through Enterprise Co-op, BETS, and the MBET program.

Discover this term’s two exciting Problem Pitch categories: Open Problems and Billion Dollar Problems, reviewed by Professor Larry Smith. Hear from past winners and get inspired to pitch your own big idea!
 

Don’t miss this chance to ignite your entrepreneurial journey!
We can’t wait to see you there!

Part-time MBET student Alex Salsali turned a personal story into a mission-driven venture. 

At the 2025 Consensus EasyA Hackathon, his team built Eunoia: a transparent giving platform powered by blockchain and AI and won the Polkadot Multichain Prize.
Learn how the MBET program helped shape his journey from idea to impact. 

Entrepreneurial talent was on full display this winter term as students and alumni from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Waterloo made impressive showings at pitch competitions on and off campus. From healthcare innovations to systems thinking and advanced materials, these student ventures are addressing real-world problems with creativity, drive, and impact. 

Virangi Shah, a first-year PhD student in Entrepreneurship and Organization at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, has achieved a remarkable milestone in her academic journey. Her paper, accepted at the prestigious Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) 2025 conference, marks an exciting achievement for the rising scholar and exemplifies her drive to make a significant impact in the field of entrepreneurship.