Blog

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."

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.

The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program at the University of Waterloo has been a transformative experience, blending my corporate and entrepreneurial background into a launchpad for growth. As someone with a Degree in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics, MBET has allowed me to build on these foundations and explore new avenues for growth and innovation.

My journey began with 9 years in the international airline industry, where I honed my leadership skills and strategic mindset as a Corporate Manager. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, I co-founded an eCommerce startup that grew to a $10M valuation in just four years and later launched Ross Hill Art, promoting Canadian art to global audiences.

MBET is much more than just academic rigour or venture building—it’s about the people. The faculty, staff, and peers have created an environment that’s collaborative, energizing, and endlessly motivating. Every single day, I look forward to stepping into class and being part of this dynamic community.

As we wrap up the Spring 2024 term, we’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) students in the recent Product Video Showcase Competition. This competition was designed to spotlight the incredible work done by our students during their work term, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

The challenge was clear: create a compelling 90-second video that showcases a product or service developed during the work term. Unlike startup pitches, the focus was on illustrating the product’s features and how it can be used by potential customers. The goal was to produce a video that could serve as an ongoing piece of marketing content for social media campaigns and other promotional efforts.

Hey there! I’m Munib Nasir, and I’ve always been passionate about helping and inspiring others. Before diving into the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, my journey has been quite eclectic. Previously, I worked as a full-time content creator on the streaming platforms Twitch and YouTube. This allowed me to share my love for gaming and life in a growing community. Along the way, I also gathered experience working in the nonprofit sector and in marketing. Little did I know, the MBET program would be the place where all these threads of my life would weave together into something amazing.

The MBET program has been impactful to me for several reasons. It is refreshing to hear the professors give feedback with such candor, especially in a world where people are more inclined to tell you what you want to hear rather than what you need to hear. This honesty has been crucial in helping me identify and address weaknesses in my plans. Beyond the academic and professional growth, the MBET program has also been a journey of personal development, as it has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. 

Beginning a journey that commenced in the realms of healthcare research and academia, I found myself drawn to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship - a path that would lead me to new challenges, opportunities, and ultimately, to the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program. My name is Kailimi Li, and I invite you to join me as I recount my transformational experiences and the pivotal role of collaboration in navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The MBET program at Conrad School was the perfect catalyst for this transformation. Courses like Innovation and Consulting as well as Strategy Management not only broadened my understanding of business practices but also inspired me to think of ways to counter the norm within the construction industry.The program’s emphasis on experiential learning allowed me to engage directly with early-stage ventures, validating startup business models that resonate with real-world needs.

From the beginning of my journey at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Waterloo, I felt that I had made the right choice. The environment of innovation and cultural diversity here allowed me to connect with people with incredible professional trajectories from all over the world!

From large companies like Apple and Facebook to entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized businesses of colleagues from China, Egypt, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, and many other places.

What makes the experience here so unique is the combination of a welcoming environment and a challenging curriculum that together promote both personal and professional growth.

The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on training in venture capital investing through the University of Waterloo's Student Venture Fund (SVF).

Not only do students gain real-world experience sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, and pitching investments, but they also have the opportunity to participate in a prestigious venture capital competition.

This year, full-time MBET student Hisham Ismail had the honour of representing the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the annual Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. This marked the first time an MBET student had attended the competition, which draws top MBA talent from around the world!