Future undergraduate students

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What do you get when you mix childhood curiosity, a love for learning, and a mission to fix a broken system? You get CoinWa: a gamified financial literacy app created by a student entrepreneur determined to change how teens learn about money.

Meet Naimah Venezia, the founder behind CoinWa, an innovative platform that’s flipping the script on financial education. From selling handmade jewelry to pitching a startup during Enterprise Co-op at the University of Waterloo, Naimah's journey is anything but ordinary.

We sat down for a quick-fire round of questions to learn more about the inspiration behind CoinWa, the rollercoaster ride of building an app from scratch, and why financial literacy could be the most important subject that schools aren’t teaching.

Last night, the University of Waterloo’s incubator, Velocity, hosted its highly anticipated All-Stars Pitch Competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business students who took centre stage.

As always, the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students and founders who have taken Enterprise Co-op and our undergraduate business and entrepreneurship courses crushed it in this competition! In fact, half of the finalists were Conrad School alumni and students, underscoring the transformative power of our programs and the collaborative approach to entrepreneurship that makes Waterloo so unique.

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".

Sarah Cestnick, a full-time MBET student, reflects on her recent experience at the VCIC Nationals.

"Walking into the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) Nationals, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s one thing to analyze startups in a classroom setting – but pitching investment decisions in front of seasoned venture capitalists? That’s a whole different ball game.

If there’s one thing the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program does well, it’s this: it doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship – it immerses you in it.

Most students analyze businesses in a classroom through cases. MBET students sit down with founders and analyze businesses that could change industries. Most students read about venture capital. Student Venture Fund (SVF) students sit in the room with investors to make real investment decisions."

Tyler Cormier’s entrepreneurial journey began at home, where both of his parents ran their own businesses for over 30 years. Growing up in this environment, Tyler was inspired by the freedom, innovation, and problem-solving that entrepreneurship provided.

During his undergraduate years, Tyler took courses at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, where he quickly realized that the program’s dynamic culture, innovative approach, and inspiring professors were aligned with his ambitions. This led him to pursue a Minor in Entrepreneurship alongside his Honours Sports Business degree and start his own business.

Eager to further hone his entrepreneurial skills, Tyler turned to the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program. For him, MBET was the perfect opportunity to deepen his entrepreneurial mindset and gain hands-on experience. The program equipped him with the practical tools and strategic thinking required to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world.

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."

Rashi’s decision to pursue the MBET program stemmed from her passion for innovation, technology, and social good. With a strong entrepreneurial lineage, Rashi had already gained valuable experience in leading Teknic Euchner—a company at the forefront of integrating Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize supply chains and drive automation. But her entrepreneurial aspirations also extended beyond the family business. Motivated by the challenges women in India face in accessing reliable healthcare, Rashi launched a startup aimed at improving women’s health outcomes through a tech-enabled platform.

“Through my startup, I saw firsthand the challenges of scaling impact-driven solutions,” Rashi shared. “The MBET program stood out to me because of its strong focus on bridging business and technology, and the opportunity it offered to refine my business acumen while gaining access to mentorship.”

Meet Eugenia Dadzie, an Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow and MBET student in the part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology program.

"Entrepreneurship wasn’t originally part of my plan, but as I immersed myself in Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the opportunity to start a company with colleagues emerged. It wasn’t a single defining moment that led me down this path but rather a series of doors opening, each offering new opportunities.

As a Black entrepreneur and academic, I place significant value on representation. Mentoring others who can relate to my journey is something I find deeply rewarding, and I take the responsibility to heart. I’m mindful of the added pressures that often come with being one of the few in a field, where the need to validate one's presence can feel constant. These challenges are real, and I’m interested in supporting others in navigating them, helping them recognize their worth and build confidence in their abilities."

Meet Chinazom Uwaoma, a part-time student in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology program.

"The entrepreneurial journey is long and challenging, but my cultural background has instilled in me the principles of tenacity and grit. My leadership style is deeply influenced by a saying from my Igbo heritage: "Igwe bu ike," which translates to "Community is strength."

I believe that we are strengthened by the differences we bring, not by our commonalities; our commonalities are the tools by which we harness our differences for the greater good. Predicated on the premise that everyone has something to offer, anchored on the core values of respect, mutual trust, and integrity.

Representation is crucial in keeping the vision alive. Seeing successful individuals who look like me reminds me that my goals are attainable. If I can see it, I can pursue it. Representation fosters belief, determination, and inspiration for future generations".

Future undergraduate students

Meet Naimah Venezia: Gamifying Financial Literacy for the Next Generation

Celebrating Conrad School Talent at Velocity's All-Stars Pitch Competition!

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

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

Winning, Learning, and The MBET Edge: My VCIC Nationals Experience

Alumni Impact Series: Tyler Cormier's Journey from Entrepreneur to Innovator

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

Alumni Impact Series: Rashi Jaising - Driving Innovation and Social Impact Through Entrepreneurship

Black History Month Reflections - Eugenia

Black History Month Reflections - Chinazom

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