At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, we celebrate not just academic excellence but also the real-world impact our students and alumni are making. One such inspiring story comes from Ibukunoluwa Elebute (Ibukun), a part-time student in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program, who 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 under-served communities. Before joining the MBET program, she founded the STEMite Zone Fair, which has grown to become one of Africa’s largest science fairs for underserved communities, aimed at nurturing young innovators across the continent.
But it’s not just about past accomplishments. Since partnering with University of Waterloo Nanotechnology Engineering 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.
Blending Innovation with Entrepreneurship
Ibukun’s journey at the Conrad School has been instrumental in helping her bridge the gap between her deep technical expertise and the entrepreneurial acumen needed to scale her startup. As an MBET student, she has honed her skills in strategic fundraising, business development, and effective storytelling—tools that have proven invaluable as she and CT work to propel CELLECT forward.
Our mission at CELLECT is to innovate how we approach diagnostics, starting with the often overlooked area of menstrual blood collection. It’s exciting to see how the lessons I’ve learned in the MBET program have directly contributed to our success.
In only a few months since it's inception, CELLECT has already achieved remarkable success, capturing the attention of investors, competitors, and the health tech community. Some of the team's most notable milestones include:
- 1st Prize at the All Blk Market Place Pitch Competition
- 1st Place at the DMZ Boss Up and Pitch Competition
- 1st Prize at the Brilliant Catalyst Pitch Competition
- Finalist in the Road to Billions Pitch Competition (Top 7)
- Finalist in the FemTech Breakfast Pitch Competition (Top 5) in Vancouver
- Recognition as a Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer and Semi-Finalist
- Semi-Finalist at the Odlum Brown Pitch Competition (Top 10)
- Finalist at the Synapse Pitch Competition
These accolades are not just a testament to the hard work of Ibukun and CT, but also a reflection of the growing potential of CELLECT’s mission to change the future of diagnostics.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Ibukun remains focused on the broader impact of her work. “Our goal is to make diagnostic testing more accessible, efficient, and non-invasive,” she shares. “Through the work we’re doing at CELLECT, we hope to empower both individuals and healthcare providers with better tools for early diagnosis, which can ultimately save lives.”
For Ibukun, the journey is just beginning. As she continues to learn and grow within the MBET program, her vision for the future of health technology and entrepreneurship is one that combines innovation, inclusivity, and positive social impact.
Celebrating Entrepreneurship
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is incredibly proud of the successes of our students and alumni, like Ibukunoluwa Elebute and CT Murphy. Their story highlights the transformative power of blending education, innovation, and entrepreneurship to address real-world challenges.
We can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!
