News

The University of Waterloo has been ranked the top Canadian university for producing entrepreneurs in PitchBook’s 2026 University Rankings, placing seventh globally and becoming the first Canadian university to break into the top 10.

Waterloo was also recognized as the fastest riser in PitchBook’s rankings for female founders with undergraduate degrees, climbing to 11th globally.

Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) alum Humza Ahmed is building the future of home appraisals with Automax.ai, an AI-powered platform that uses computer vision and LiDAR technology to streamline the appraisal process.

Ahmed credits Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Velocity and the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, with providing critical support early in his journey.

From improving access to clean drinking water to advancing space sustainability, student innovators from across the University of Waterloo showcased bold ideas with the potential to solve some of society's most pressing challenges during the Spring 2026 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition Finals.

Part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) and Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow student Hasti Shwan has been featured in Waterloo News for his work developing GeoSafe Climate.

Hasti's work reflects the entrepreneurial mindset we foster at the Conrad School: transforming research into practical solutions that create real-world impact.

After launching New Valley Brand House as an undergraduate student, Emma Tonellato-Keller (GBDA '20, MBET '21) chose the Conrad School's Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program to strengthen her business skills and grow her venture.

Today, as Founder, CEO and Creative Director of New Valley Brand House, Emma combines creativity, strategy and entrepreneurship to help organizations build meaningful brands. Her story highlights the value of diverse perspectives in entrepreneurship and how MBET empowers founders from all academic backgrounds to turn their ideas into lasting impact.

"MBET won't make entrepreneurship easy, but it will give you the tools to make it possible."

Students in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program recently pitched their innovative ventures during the annual MBET Pitch Day at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.

The day gave MBET students the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial thinking, receive valuable feedback from experienced judges and mentors, and demonstrate how they're turning ideas into impact.

Dr. Victor Cui, Conrad Research Excellence Chair, and Dr. Felix Arndt, Eyton Director of the Conrad School, are among 37 Waterloo researchers receiving more than $8 million in new SSHRC funding.

Their projects examine the impact of geopolitical shifts, artificial intelligence, and innovation ecosystems on the future of business and society.

The Academy of Research Commercialization (ARC) program recently celebrated its inaugural Pitch Day, showcasing the entrepreneurial potential of University of Waterloo PhD students and their innovative, research-driven ventures.

Through ARC, Waterloo PhD students gain the commercialization knowledge, mentorship and ecosystem connections needed to transform deep-tech research into solutions that can make a meaningful impact beyond the lab.

This year’s participants pitched ventures addressing challenges across industries, from sustainable materials and healthcare technologies to artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Entrepreneurship doesn't have to fit a traditional mould. For MBET alumna Divya Lala, entrepreneurship is rooted in empathy, education, and community. Through her work at the University of Waterloo and as founder of Integral Learning, Divya is helping students build confidence, discover their strengths, and succeed on their own terms.

In her Alumni Impact story, Divya reflects on personal growth, the power of diverse perspectives, the lasting influence of Professor Wayne Chang, and how MBET helped her redefine entrepreneurship as a tool for creating meaningful change.