The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch competitions challenge you to research an important problem and pitch your research to a panel of judges. Funding is awarded to support teams that demonstrate the most thorough understanding of their chosen problem to develop a solution.
The competition explicitly challenges students to research an important problem thoroughly before attempting to solve it. By participating, students learn how to examine a problem from many different perspectives, which helps them develop their research and analysis skills. This foundational approach is expected to lead to better ideas and strategies for creating impactful solutions.
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business will host the Problem Pitch Fall 2025 competition finals on Friday, December 5th.
Meet the finalists
The student team finalists are:
Team name: TaxBuddy
Members: Nathan Farquharson
Problem: Canada is struggling with a shortage of accountants with 87% of firms struggling to hire due to a reduced workforce.
Nathan Farquharson
Team name: Yogipop
Members: Kritika Saihgpaul
Problem: Canadians want healthier natural sweeteners, but without access to them, we're stuck with outdated, unhealthy options.
Kritika Saihgpaul
Team name: Cool Flash
Members: Katie Avison, Jordyn Maywood, Maya DeVries, Mariam Busari
Problem: Sweating in silence: The unmet need of menopausal hot flashes.
From left to right: Mariam Busari, Jordyn Maywood, Maya DeVries, Katie Avison
Team name: Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics Lab (OBEL)
Members: Sanjay Veerasammy
Problem: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are costly and silent invaders of global workplaces
Sanjay Veerasammy
Team name: H.A.L.O
Members: Dylan Ellingson, Jared DiZio, Mena Azab, Carter Demars
Problem: Every year, tens of thousands of post-surgery dogs go unmonitored and risk serious complications because clinics lack continuous vital-sign monitoring.
Dylan Ellingson, Jared DiZio, Mena Azab, Carter Demars
Meet the judges
The judges' panel includes:
Nabil Fahel
Nabil is a founder, entrepreneur, and investor with two decades of experience advancing startups, innovation, and economic development in Canada. He launched and led flagship startup programs at Communitech, attracting Shopify to Waterloo Region and later scaling Shopify Plus globally, driving its U.S. partner network and creating over 1,000 jobs in Waterloo Region. As a senior leader at Atomic, he spearheaded the Canadian expansion of Terminal, building engineering teams for 50 fast-growing companies and generating 500+ jobs nationwide. Now serving as a Vice President at Communitech, Nabil advises numerous startups, including Open Quantum Design. Nabil also co-founded ETHGlobal, Founders & Builders, and Founders & Physicists, reflecting his enduring commitment to innovation, talent, and community impact.
Nabil Fahel
Headshot of Kyle Faller
Kyle Faller
Kyle is co-founder and CEO at Intelline, one of the first problem pitch competition winners, and YC W19 alum. At Intelline, Kyle has built the world’s first 4-stroke opposed piston engine, creating a practical path to zero emissions for heavy duty industrial power. A Waterloo-based startup, Intelline is scaling to first customer deliveries in 2026. Kyle studied mechanical engineering at Waterloo, and developed electric powertrains at Alta Motors and Tesla before launching Intelline. For fun, Kyle builds custom cars and bikes. In 2025 Kyle launched Intelline Works, making specialized engine parts for 1500+hp vehicles.
Julie Ellis
In her early 30's, Julie was no longer waking up with enthusiasm for the workday ahead. She knew she needed a change from her corporate career.
She dreamt of her own big gorgeous goals and with that clarity, she co-founded Mabel's Labels - making personalized labels for all the stuff kids lose as they go out into the world.
The business grew wildly, and Julie became an award-winning entrepreneur, eventually selling the business to an industry giant.
At Mabel's Labels, she learned growing a business to 8-figures was easier with a group of growth-minded women around her. Now, she helps other women get connected, solve problems and grow bigger businesses, reaching their own big gorgeous goals.
Julie’s book, Big Gorgeous Goals is written for women entrepreneurs who want to step out of the small box they are in and set world domination in their sights. In discussion with sixteen women entrepreneurs, Julie explores their stories and pairs that with how she built, grew, and sold Mabel’s Labels. On the Figure 8 podcast, Julie has conversations with 7- and 8-figure revenue women entrepreneurs about their growth journeys.
Julie Ellis