News

When Will Paskar graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in mechanical engineering, he knew he wanted to do more than design technology. He wanted to shape how it was used to create value. His career path from engineering graduate to technology and business leader reflects exactly the kind of transformation the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program was designed to support.

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.

Five Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) teams from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business had a strong showing at the 2026 BMO Apex Startup Challenge, with three advancing to the graduate finals.

CELLECT Laboratories Inc. earned second place in the graduate track and first place in the elevator pitch competition, while Jtcipher secured third place.

The results highlight the impact of MBET ventures and the program’s emphasis on venture creation, pitching excellence and experiential learning.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is proud to host and sponsor the Problem Lab’s Winter 2026 Problem Pitch Competition Finals, where Waterloo students showcase their research-driven approaches to tackling today’s most pressing challenges. For the 2026 academic year, themes will align with the Global Futures themes as outlined by the University.

Finalist teams will present their research to a panel of industry leaders and alumni for a chance to win $7,500 in R&D.

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.

After the closure of his first venture during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamal Lutfi entered the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program seeking a structured path to relaunch as a founder in Canada’s innovation ecosystem. MBET provided the clarity, community, and disciplined approach he needed to rebuild his entrepreneurial foundation.

Kamal credits the program with reshaping his leadership, strengthening his customer-development discipline, and teaching him to leverage Waterloo’s innovation network. He learned to treat each iteration as a hypothesis and to view failure as valuable data.

Today, Kamal is building a purpose-driven venture grounded in validated opportunity and long-term impact. He continues to stay connected to the Conrad School through mentorship, sharing real-world experience, and creating opportunities for future founders. His journey reflects MBET’s core mission: transforming setbacks into strategy and empowering resilient, evidence-based entrepreneurship.

This week, Waterloo News shines a spotlight on professor Larry Smith, who marks a remarkable 45-year milestone of teaching at the University of Waterloo. Over four decades, Smith has become a pillar of the university’s entrepreneurial spirit, helping build its reputation for innovation, risk-taking, and real-world relevance. 

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is proud to host and sponsor the Problem Lab’s Fall 2025 Problem Pitch Competition Finals, where Waterloo students showcase their research-driven approaches to tackling today’s most pressing challenges.

Unlike traditional pitch competitions that focus on solutions, the Problem Pitch challenges students to dig deeper, spotlighting their ability to understand the root of a significant problem. This emphasis on problem analysis is what often sparks the most transformative innovations.

Finalist teams will present their research to a panel of industry leaders and alumni for a chance to win $7,500 in prize funding.

Silas Ifeanyi came to Waterloo with industry experience and a passion for entrepreneurship. Through BE 600: Management and Leadership at the Conrad School, he refined his leadership style and now applies those lessons every day as an Engineering Educational Developer at the Pearl Sullivan Engineering IDEAs Clinic.

From leading student teams to driving innovation in nanotechnology and MedTech, Silas is a prime example of how technical expertise + entrepreneurial mindset = real impact.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business in the Faculty of Engineering is proud to share that Professor Chris Holt has been named a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Performance Award!

This award is a reflection of the energy, drive, and passion Professor Holt brings to the classroom. His dedication to student learning, his ability to make complex concepts accessible, and his commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment make him a standout educator at Waterloo.