Faculty

student holding microphone at pitch competition

The Problem Lab’s Problem Pitch Competition Finals, hosted and sponsored by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, is set to showcase innovative student-driven solutions to pressing global challenges.

The competition, which focuses on solving significant issues through research and entrepreneurial efforts, offers a grand prize of $7,500 to the team that demonstrates the most in-depth understanding and creative solution of their selected, impactful problem.

"As a child, I believed in the magic of these words, certain that a sprinkle of pixie dust could make anything possible. As I grew, I traded wonder for realism and magic for logic. But somewhere along the way, I realized pixie dust is real, just not in the way I once imagined.

On March 7, an email arrived in my inbox, my paper had been accepted at the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) 2025. A monumental milestone as a first-year PhD student. Yet, the real magic was not in that acceptance. It came later that evening.

At 8:49 PM, another email arrived. My supervisor, Shavin Malhotra, the guiding force behind the paper submission, had shared the news with the entire department. Almost instantly, my inbox came alive, messages of joy, encouragement, and celebration poured in. What had started as a personal milestone transformed into a collective success.

In that moment, I realized pixie dust does exist, just not as a shimmer in the air, but as something far more powerful. It’s the unseen force of people who uplift you, the ecosystem that nurtures you, the mentors who guide you, the staff who support you, and the colleagues who walk beside you, celebrating, encouraging, and making your victories their own".

Meet Avery Kelly, a current Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) student at the University of Waterloo. Avery graduated in June 2024 with an Honours Arts and Business degree, majoring in Legal Studies.

"Transitioning from undergraduate studies to the graduate-level Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to share my journey and how it’s shaped my career path.

My introduction to the Conrad School and the MBET program began during my undergraduate years. I took BET 210, a course within the Arts and Business program that really opened my eyes to the world of entrepreneurship and business. The course connected the theoretical business concepts I was learning in the ARBUS program with real-world applications, which sparked my interest in pursuing more business-focused learning.

As I began researching graduate programs at the University of Waterloo, I was drawn to the hands-on learning and the strong integration MBET has with the local KW community. I wanted to ensure that I wasn’t falling behind in terms of work experience, and the MBET program offered the perfect opportunity to develop and apply entrepreneurial skills in real-world settings. I found out more about the program online and even connected with members of the UW Athletics department, which helped me decide that MBET was the right choice for me."

At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, innovation is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we do.

As we look toward the future, we are thrilled to spotlight some of the exceptional students in our community who have been featured in the University of Waterloo's Global Futures: Innovation Update 2025.

These students are making waves with groundbreaking ideas that could change the world. From tackling food waste to advancing medical diagnostics, these individuals are showing that the future of entrepreneurship is in good hands.

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Janet Boekhorst, Conrad Research Excellence Chair and Associate Professor at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, for being selected as one of the winners of the 2023-2024 Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award!

Professor Boekhorst’s commitment to fostering innovation, engagement, and transformative learning experiences for students strengthens the future of entrepreneurship and business education at the University of Waterloo.

students smiling post for a photo together

Ibukunoluwa Elebute (Ibukun), a part-time student in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program, has been making waves in the health tech industry with startup CELLECT.

Ibukun, who brings nearly a decade of experience in healthcare technology and holds a background in biomedical engineering (BEng and MSc), has long been committed to driving innovation in underserved communities. Before joining the MBET program, she founded the STEMite Zone Fair, which has grown to become Africa’s largest science fair aimed at nurturing young innovators across the continent.

But it’s not just about past accomplishments. Since partnering with fellow University of Waterloo student CT Murphy in September, Ibukun has co-founded CELLECT, a ground-breaking startup focused on transforming diagnostics through menstrual blood collection. The startup is tackling an important challenge in healthcare, offering an innovative approach that could change the way diagnostic testing is conducted.

We are excited to spotlight the accomplishments of one of our part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students, Omid Bagheri.

Omid, a PhD candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow in the MBET program, has been making waves in both the scientific and entrepreneurial communities with his pioneering research on metasurface-enhanced radar biosensors for non-invasive, real-time glucose monitoring.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business community is proud to celebrate two remarkable University of Waterloo alumni, Holden Beggs and Jackson Mills, who have recently been named on Forbes’ prestigious "30 Under 30" list in the education category! Their innovative work and entrepreneurial spirit have earned them a place among the most influential young leaders shaping the future of education.

Holden and Jackson's journey began at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, where their paths crossed through the Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program and Professor Wayne Chang's BET 300 (Foundations of Venture Creation) course. Though they each participated in these programs separately, they share a deep connection to the Conrad School, which played a pivotal role in their entrepreneurial development.

MBET alumni Seun Adetunji and her innovative startup, MedInclude, has partnered with Grand River Hospital (GRH) to address a critical challenge in healthcare: language and literacy barriers between patients and providers.

Ahmed Shahin, a part-time MBET and PhD Fellow at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, recently received the prestigious Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology Fellowship, an honour awarded to only about 30 students annually for demonstrating excellence in research, academic achievement, and commitment to sustainable development goals. This is the second year in a row that Ahmed has earned this recognition, and the fellowship comes with a $10,000 award. He received the award following a successful poster presentation showcasing his research.

Faculty

Student Teams Compete in the Problem Lab’s Problem Pitch Competition Finals

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust: The Magic of Collective Success

Building on Business: Avery Kelly’s Path from Undergraduate to MBET

Global Futures Innovation Update includes students from the Conrad School

Celebrating Teaching Excellence at Conrad School

Blending Education and Entrepreneurship to Revolutionize Health Tech

Spotlight on Innovation: Omid Bagheri’s Ground-breaking Research in Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring and Entrepreneurial Journey

Holden Beggs and Jackson Mills named Forbes 30 Under 30

MBET Alumni startup MedInclude partners with Grand River Hospital

MBET student Ahmed Shahin wins prestigious fellowship

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