The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition
The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch competitions challenge you to research an important problem and pitch your research to a panel of judges. Funding is awarded to support teams that demonstrate the most thorough understanding of their chosen problem to develop a solution.
The competition encourages students to research an important problem thoroughly before attempting to solve it. By participating, students learn how to examine a problem from many different perspectives, which helps them develop their research and analysis skills. This foundational approach is expected to lead to better ideas and strategies for creating impactful solutions.
Students can research problems in a range of possible problem spaces, including from the list of topics below.
For the 2026 academic year, themes will align with the Global Futures themes as outlined by the University, with an option for other focus areas of student interest. The Futures themes form part of the Waterloo at 100 strategic vision and plan and are listed here:
- Societal Futures
- Health Futures
- Sustainable Futures (including Climate)
- Technological Futures
- Economic Futures
- Other areas of interest
For context on the Global Futures, including a description of each area of focus, please see more from the university.
Applications
Applications will be reviewed by the Problem Lab team. Selected semi-finalist teams will be notified and invited to move forward in the competition.
Each student team must clearly identify the problem area they are interested in within their application. The online application form will indicate the appropriate category to select.
Register your interest for the upcoming Problem Pitch Competition
Details to follow. For more information, contact problemlab@uwaterloo.ca.
Recommendations
Students are encouraged to review the Problem Lab Methodology before applying and to use the Problem Lab Research Guide as a starting point for their research.
This methodology was developed by Professor Larry Smith, Founder of the Problem Lab, and the research guide was created by Rachel Figueiredo, Entrepreneurship Librarian, and Alyssa Roussy (Co-op student).