News

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.

Hosted by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, the QVI Problem Pitch Competition challenges students to identify meaningful problems, validate their significance, to support the development of innovative, evidence-based solutions. Rather than beginning with an idea, students start by deeply understanding a real-world challenge; a foundational entrepreneurial mindset that emphasizes solving problems people genuinely face.

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.

By combining artificial intelligence, geospatial analytics, and environmental modelling, GeoSafe Climate helps property owners, municipalities, engineers, planners, insurers, and developers better understand climate-related risks before critical decisions are made.

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

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.

Big news! The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program now offers optional graduate specializations that allow students to tailor their degree and customize their path based on their interests, goals, and career aspirations.

Whether you’re launching your own startup, transitioning into product management, or driving digital transformation within an organization, MBET gives you the tools, mindset, and network to create advantage in a rapidly changing economy. 

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business recently hosted the Quantum Valley Investments Problem Pitch Competition Winter 2026 Finals, bringing together student teams to present innovative solutions to pressing real-world challenges across health, technology, and society.

Professor Nada Basir, with co-authors Jamie Ladge and Serena Sohrab, has had their paper, “Disrupted selves in transition: How women navigate fertility treatments in the context of work” (Basir, Ladge, and Sohrab, 2026), named an Editor’s Choice by the Journal of Applied Psychology.

The study examines how women balance fertility treatments with professional responsibilities, shedding light on work-life transitions and organizational support. This recognition highlights Basir’s ongoing research into complex workplace experiences and its impact on both scholarship and practice. 

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is proud to announce the launch of the Academy of Research Commercialization (ARC), a new initiative designed to empower University of Waterloo doctoral students in turning deep-tech discoveries into investor-ready ventures.