About Enterprise Co-op
Waterloo is world-renowned for its strength in innovation and co-operative education. A signature program at Waterloo, Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op), allows students to pursue an entrepreneurial co-op option in which students start their own business while earning a co-op credit.
After graduation, E Co-op students continue with their venture, begin a new one, or use their E Co-op know-how to obtain employment. E Co-op is a great experience that builds business knowledge, capabilities, and independence that employers value.
As an E Co-op student, you’ll enter the program during a work term with a business idea and the drive to turn it into a business. Over your term, you’ll receive ongoing mentoring and feedback on your business development. You’ll be part of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports and propels students to succeed. You will have:
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A wide network of mentors, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
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The opportunity to apply for the Norman Esch Enterprise Co-op Awards.
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Practical workshops and seminars to help you build your business.
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Access to conference passes, distinguished guest speakers, and presentation.
What is Enterprise Co-op, anyway?
If you're an undergraduate student with a business or not-for-profit idea that you'd like to get off the ground, the Enterprise Co-op could be just the option for you. Discover how.
Who should apply?
Have you been thinking about a new business concept? Whether it's no-tech, low-tech, high-tech, service, consulting, or more. If you have an idea you want to take to market and have the passion to build your venture, E Co-op may be for you. We are looking for students with:
- A well-formulated idea,
- A strong understanding of the target market,
- The drive to excel as an entrepreneur.
E Co-op is open to co-op students from all faculties at the University of Waterloo: Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics, Science and Health.
Application deadline notice
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis within posting cycles every term. The final application deadline is the last month of each term for consideration to join the next term:
- Fall term: August 16
- Winter term: December 16
- Spring term: April 16
Meet Professor Wayne Chang
Wayne Chang is a Continuing Lecturer and Enterprise Co-op Coordinator at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.
For over 10 years he has taught undergraduate students venture creation, business models and startup business processes. He has also taught part-time students in the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program.
Link to profile: Wayne Chang
Want to get even more out of your Enterprise Co-op experience?
Our limited enrolment BET 300 and BET 400 courses are only available to students who are committed to starting a venture through E Co-op, Velocity, or on their own.
The E Co-op program is an amazing opportunity that gives you time to work on your own venture as a student [while earning a co-op credit], which is incredibly unique and rewarding!
E Co-op lets you build your idea. It gave me the freedom to prove myself wrong, the resources to find new paths forward, and connected me to a community of peers equally dedicated to improvement.
