The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is proud to host and sponsor the Problem Lab’s Winter 2026 Problem Pitch Competition, where Waterloo students showcase their research-driven approaches to tackling today’s most pressing challenges.
Applications for this Winter 2026 term will close Sunday, February 8, 2026 by 5 p.m. EST.
The Winter 2026 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Lab Pitch Competition challenges students to research an important problem and pitch their findings to a panel of expert judges.
Funding is awarded to teams that demonstrate the most thorough and insightful understanding of their chosen problem as a foundation for developing impactful solutions. The competition emphasizes deep research before solution-building, encouraging students to examine problems from multiple perspectives and strengthen their analytical, critical thinking, and research skills. This rigorous, problem-first approach is designed to generate stronger ideas and more effective strategies for real-world impact.
Problem spaces will align with the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures themes, part of the Waterloo at 100 strategic vision, including Societal Futures, Health Futures, Sustainable Futures (including Climate), Technological Futures, and Economic Futures, with flexibility for other areas of student interest. By engaging with Global Futures, participants explore challenges shaping our collective future and contribute research-driven insights toward meaningful, forward-looking change.
“We believe the Problem Lab and the Quantum Valley Investments Problem Pitch Competition will encourage students to focus on fully understanding a problem before venturing to solve it, and will lead to better ideas and strategies for new businesses.”