Entrepreneurial talent was on full display this winter term as students and alumni from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Waterloo made impressive showings at pitch competitions on and off campus. From healthcare innovations to systems thinking and advanced materials, these student ventures are addressing real-world problems with creativity, drive, and impact.
Map the System: University of Waterloo Finals and National Qualifiers
1st Place: Gabriel Jabile, a former Enterprise Co-op student, took first place and represented the University of Waterloo at the Canadian national finals in Banff.
His work explores sustainable development through a community-based lens, an outstanding example of research-driven social entrepreneurship.
The team representing UWaterloo at the Canadian finals and recipient of a $2,000 award sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.
2nd Place: Vanessa Young-Dede and Femi Adedayo, current Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students, alongside Mya Nantambu, secured second place in the Map the System campus finals.
Their presentation demonstrated a deep understanding of complex challenges and showcased the systems-thinking approach emphasized in the MBET program.
The team won a $1,000 award sponsored by the University of Waterloo Office of Research explored: Barriers to Academic Success for Newcomer Elementary School Student in Ontario.
Stu Clark New Venture Championships: University of Manitoba
Participants Drew Davidson (part-time MBET) and Kade Truman (MBET alumnus)represented their venture ArcticEdge Technologies.
ArcticEdge Technologies is developing cutting-edge protective materials for firefighter safety in extreme conditions. Their strong performance at Stu Clark further cemented the venture's growing reputation.
The 25th Rice Business Plan Competition
Ibukun Elebubte, part-time MBET student representing CELLECT Laboratories and Drew Davidson, part-time MBET and Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow representing ArcticEdge Technologies went head-to-head against the world's most promising student-led startups and competed for $1M+ in prizes.
The Problem Lab Pitch Comptition
Drew Davidson (part-time MBET) and Kade Truman (MBET alumnus) of ArcticEdge Technologies claimed first place at the University of Waterloo’s Quantum Valley Investments Problem Lab competition, winning $7500 in R&D funds.
Known for its focus on deep problem analysis, the Problem Lab recognized ArcticEdge’s unique approach to addressing critical health and safety issues in frontline emergency response.
Odlum Brown Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) Pitch Competition
Ibukun Elebute, a part-time MBET student, and her co-founder CT Murphy from CELLECT Laboratories were named among the top 10 finalists in this competitive pitch event where they secured $44K!
Their venture focuses on transforming cervical cancer screening using advanced nanotechnology, combining entrepreneurship with a powerful mission in women’s health.
GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase
Mitziana Pillai, a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) student, was awarded $1,500 for her project The Cloud Catchers.
She addressed water scarcity in Nepal, where landslides and flooding have disrupted essential water systems. Mitziana’s solution, a modular, 3D-printed fog collector, offers a space-efficient, wind-resistant alternative to traditional models. With this funding, she aims to pilot the technology in remote Nepali communities, bringing them a more reliable source of clean water.
Communitech Start-up Bootcamp Pitch Competition
Our Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit at the Communitech Start-up Bootcamp Pitch Competition. The bootcamp is all about giving founders the tools to succeed through customer discovery, market sizing, and real-world feedback.
Adanna Amechi and Dimitri Njila pitched for Cirtus to take home the top prize, securing $2,000 in cash for their innovative idea. A huge congratulations to them!
Special shoutout to Ayo Bgade-Bello, who also did an incredible job pitching his startup, Kintrace.
Velocity All-Star Pitch Competition
The University of Waterloo’s incubator, Velocity, hosted its All-Stars Pitch Competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business students who took center 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.
A special congratulations to Jesh Ramesh, MBET 2024, who took home 1st place with his startup, GreaseTech, and a $25,000 prize!
Shoutout to our Conrad School Community, who each took home $10,000:
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CELLECT Laboratories: Ibukun Elebute, Part-time MBET
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Doro: Rastin Rassoli, Enterprise Co-op alumni
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Mapkot Technologies: Kwaku Owusu Twum, Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow and Part-time MBET
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PatientCompanion: Christy Lee, BET 320 and BET 300 alumni
These achievements highlight the importance of an entrepreneurial education that combines academics with hands-on, experiential learning.
A Semester of Impact and Innovation
These student and alumni successes are a testament to the experiential learning approach at the Conrad School. Whether through MBET, Enterprise Co-op, or other programming, our entrepreneurs are applying their skills beyond the classroom; competing, connecting, and creating real change.
Congratulations to all the participants for representing the Conrad School with passion and excellence!