News

Ibukunoluwa Elebute (Ibukun), a part-time student in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program, 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 underserved communities. Before joining the MBET program, she founded the STEMite Zone Fair, which has grown to become Africa’s largest science fair aimed at nurturing young innovators across the continent.

But it’s not just about past accomplishments. Since partnering with fellow University of Waterloo 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.

At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, innovation is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we do.

As we look toward the future, we are thrilled to spotlight some of the exceptional students in our community who have been featured in the University of Waterloo's Global Futures: Innovation Update 2025.

These students are making waves with groundbreaking ideas that could change the world. From tackling food waste to advancing medical diagnostics, these individuals are showing that the future of entrepreneurship is in good hands.

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Janet Boekhorst, Conrad Research Excellence Chair and Associate Professor at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, for being selected as one of the winners of the 2023-2024 Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award!

Professor Boekhorst’s commitment to fostering innovation, engagement, and transformative learning experiences for students strengthens the future of entrepreneurship and business education at the University of Waterloo.

We are excited to spotlight the accomplishments of one of our part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students, Omid Bagheri.

Omid, a PhD candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow in the MBET program, has been making waves in both the scientific and entrepreneurial communities with his pioneering research on metasurface-enhanced radar biosensors for non-invasive, real-time glucose monitoring.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business community is proud to celebrate two remarkable University of Waterloo alumni, Holden Beggs and Jackson Mills, who have recently been named on Forbes’ prestigious "30 Under 30" list in the education category! Their innovative work and entrepreneurial spirit have earned them a place among the most influential young leaders shaping the future of education.

Holden and Jackson's journey began at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, where their paths crossed through the Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program and Professor Wayne Chang's BET 300 (Foundations of Venture Creation) course. Though they each participated in these programs separately, they share a deep connection to the Conrad School, which played a pivotal role in their entrepreneurial development.

Ahmed Shahin, a part-time MBET and PhD Fellow at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, recently received the prestigious Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology Fellowship, an honour awarded to only about 30 students annually for demonstrating excellence in research, academic achievement, and commitment to sustainable development goals. This is the second year in a row that Ahmed has earned this recognition, and the fellowship comes with a $10,000 award. He received the award following a successful poster presentation showcasing his research.

Every November, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) unites innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers around the world in a celebration of creativity, new ventures, and groundbreaking ideas.

This year’s theme, "Entrepreneurship is for Everyone," resonated deeply with our mission to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Throughout the week, we were inspired by the stories of individuals who have both shaped and been shaped by the Conrad School’s dynamic environment. From insightful discussions with faculty to hands-on workshops led by award-winning entrepreneurs, GEW underscored the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

In September, the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business welcomed a new set of University of Waterloo PhD students to the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) classroom through the highly successful Entrepreneurial PhD Fellowship program.

The fellowships were awarded to support outstanding, business-minded Waterloo doctoral students who are interested in commercializing their research. The following recipients will complete the three-year part-time MBET program alongside their regular doctoral studies, tuition-free.