Friday, April 11, 2025

Waterloo founders win big at Velocity Pitch Competition

By Darren McAlmont. This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

Many founders find it challenging in the early stages of their business due to limited access to non-dilutive funding. Here enters Velocity — the centre of entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo — with a solution to the problem since 2008.  

Velocity provides non-dilutive funding at this pivotal stage in students’ startup journey, meaning that the founder receives funding without giving up any equity or ownership of their business. This helps to alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with personal expenses, enabling founders to focus fully on driving traction and growth for their ventures. 

That’s why the Winter 2025 Velocity Pitch Competition returned this year with a bang — awarding the once coveted $25,000 cash prize to the first-place winner in an all-star showdown of exceptional Waterloo founders.  

“With the help of generous donations, Velocity brought back the big cheque under a new Momentum Grants program designed to provide support to outstanding student founders committed to growing their businesses after graduation,” says John Dick, senior director, Founder Development at Velocity. 

This year, eight exceptional past and current Waterloo founders competed for funding that will help to jumpstart or continue the work of their promising startups. In a welcomed surprise to a showcase of incredible talent — in addition to the first the first-place prize — each other finalist received $10,000 to help get them going as part of Velocity’s newly established Momentum Grant. 

“All founders participating in this event were immensely deserving of funding at this time. With the support of Velocity advisors, they have all worked tirelessly to establish their companies’ place in the market to bring about real positive outcomes for their customers,” Dick says. “Our Momentum Grants will ensure that our student entrepreneurs will be supported when they need it most, just as they are starting their full-time careers as entrepreneurs.”   

This year’s winning pitch was presented by Jesh Ramesh (MBET ’24), co-founder of GreaseTech, a company with a solution to prevent costly machine failures by optimizing lubrication processes. Inspired by firsthand industry experience, Ramesh and his co-founder Nathan Wong have integrated hardware and software into manufacturing plants to eliminate human error, reduce downtime and improve efficiency. 

Nathan Wong and Jesh Ramesh with John Dick after winning this year's competition. 

“This funding means a lot because there is not a lot of pre-seed funding available,” Ramesh says. “I know lots of students working on projects that have huge potential but could never take off the ground ... they can’t take the trip to the customer that they really need to because there’s no funding available, so I really am glad Waterloo and Velocity are doing this.” 

The University of Waterloo is ranked number one for producing the most successful entrepreneurs and founders. In fact, some of Canada’s top innovations have their roots at Waterloo.  

Sarah Willson, principal, Panache Ventures and one of the judges of this year’s competition emphasized how non-dilutive founding mechanisms like Velocity’s Momentum Grant allow early-stage founders to de-risk and take a leap of faith. “We need more of this in Canada to help build our innovation and entrepreneurship economy,” she says. 

Among the other finalists in this year’s competition were startups aimed at tackling some of Canada’s biggest challenges. From non-invasive health care solutions to sustainable construction material and AI-driven coaching, the founders represent some of what Waterloo is best known for: unconventional innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Other finalists in this year’s Velocity Pitch Competition include:  

• CELLECT Laboratories: a non-invasive device in menstrual products that enables easy cervical cancer and HPV screening, improving access to life-saving diagnostics. 
• Doro: an AI-powered coach offering immediate support to prevent everyday stressors from developing into severe mental health issues.  
• GrownStone: creates sustainable construction material by transforming construction and agricultural waste (such as corn stover and bean pods) into innovative building supplies.  
• Mapkot Technologies: MapMate a platform that connects food processors with small farmers, enhancing traceability, responsible sourcing, and compliance with international standards. 
• NewGen Health: a non-invasive test to detect kidney function. Our mission is to provide affordable and convenient health monitoring solutions that empower people to take control of their health. 
• PatientCompanion: a modern, user-friendly, and fully customizable patient care platform that empowers nurses to deliver exceptional care. 
• Swish Solar: develops self-cleaning solar panel technology to prevent energy losses from snow and sand accumulation, providing a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional cleaning methods. 

The VPC provides equity-free funding to early-stage startups to help remove some of the barriers that hinder innovation and entrepreneurial growth. The competition also serves as a platform to support Velocity's most promising new founders as they present their ventures, offering encouragement and recognition for their entrepreneurial endeavors. Learn more about how you can support Velocity’s new Momentum Grant program by giving.  

The Amplify Podcast: a space for authentic conversations

A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-R),

Navigating academia can be an isolating and challenging journey—especially for students who hold marginalized identities. The Amplify Podcast: Centering Voices from the Margins, an initiative from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-R), is carving out a space where these students can share their stories, experiences, and insights. This student-led podcast is more than just a conversation—it’s a platform to honour journeys, foster connection, and amplify voices often left at the margins.

Each episode of Amplify brings fresh perspectives to the table, tackling common topics through the lens of lived experiences. From the unique struggles of first-generation students to the barriers refugee students face in higher education, the podcast centres discussions that are often missing from mainstream conversations. Amplify creates a space where students can reflect on their journeys and discuss available supports.

Listeners gain insight into the lives of students balancing academic responsibilities, cultural expectations, and financial independence. Whether it’s the challenges of being far from family, the pressures of representation in faculty and student services, or the cultural stigma around seeking help, Amplify delves deep into the realities many students navigate daily.

In previous seasons, the podcast featured discussions with students from diverse backgrounds, sharing their unique perspectives on what it means to thrive in academia while facing systemic barriers.

Each episode is a reminder of the strength and perseverance of UWaterloo students who push forward despite challenges. The podcast also sheds light on the role institutions play in creating more inclusive and equitable environments, encouraging critical discussions on how universities can better support marginalized communities.

This season will offer insight, inspiration, and critical conversations about creating a more inclusive campus community.  

Join the conversation Whether you are a student, faculty member, or ally and you’re looking for a podcast that challenges perspectives, sparks meaningful dialogue, and prioritizes student voices, check out Amplify. Listen, engage, and be part of these students' journey:

Seasons 1-4 are now available on Spotify.

Warriors celebrate student-athletes at awards banquet

This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Athletics and Recreation website.

It was once again time to celebrate another legendary varsity season on Wednesday night at the Physical Activities Complex, as hundreds of Warriors student-athletes, staff, and VIPs convened for the 63rd annual Athletics Awards Banquet. And, at the end of the night, it was a pair of Warriors hockey stars - one from the pitch, and another from the ice - who came away with the season's biggest honours. 

Athletes of the year: Meagan Hobson, field hockey, and Matt Onuska, men's hockey

Hobson caps off a season full of honours and accolades by claiming the Marsden trophy as women's athlete of the year. The fourth-year midfielder was a force for the black and gold, tying for the OUA lead in goals with 6, and finishing in a tie for second in points, with 12. Hobson was named an OUA all-star, U Sports tournament MVP, and a first-team All-Canadian, as she captained the Warriors to their first OUA field hockey crown in 20 years.  

Onuska's dominant season between the pipes earned him the Totzke trophy as Waterloo men's athlete of the year. The second-year Health Sciences student registered a nation-best .941 save percentage and a miniscule 2.18 goals-against average for the men's hockey Warriors this season, claiming both the OUA and U SPORTS goaltender of the year awards. The first-team OUA all-star and first-team All-Canadian also starred in the classroom, as his 96.6 per cent academic average earned him recognition as a top-4 academic student-athlete at Waterloo. 

Read the full roster of award winners on the Athletics website.