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100 students, 100 judges: Velocity tries something new
100 students, 100 judges: Velocity's largest pitch competition yet.
Velocity tried something it had never done before: 100 student teams pitching to 100 judges from the Region's tech and business communities, all in one day, in the Science Teaching Complex.
The event, the largest Velocity pitch competition to date, helped kick off the second Waterloo Tech Week, leading into Hack the North. After a morning of lightning pitches across five rooms, the top 10 teams advanced to an afternoon final to compete for prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.
President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bill Rosehart joined students, judges, alumni, founders and investors for the networking lunch and opened the finals with welcome remarks.
"Having 100 students pitching to 100 judges on a Saturday says a great deal about the culture at Waterloo," Dr. Rosehart said. "This is a community that encourages people to test ideas, challenge convention, and create new opportunities."
He noted that since 2008, Velocity has supported more than 1,200 founders and 560 startups, helping create more than 11,000 jobs and $40 billion in enterprise value. "Behind every statistic is a story, a student with an idea, a founder willing to take a risk, a mentor who offered guidance, a community that believed it was possible."
The competition follows PitchBook's recent ranking of Waterloo as seventh in the world for producing entrepreneurs, the top university in Canada and the first Canadian institution to crack the top 10.
"This is what Velocity and Waterloo have been doing for years, but it's great to see some recognition," said John Dick, Managing Director of Velocity, who MC'd the event. "I'm not satisfied with seventh. We're going to keep climbing."
Dick said the 100-to-100 format is a prototype, and participants will receive a survey in the coming days to help shape future events. To learn more or get involved as a mentor, judge, or supporter, visit Velocity.
Shaping our shared future, together
Across the University of Waterloo community, donors enable students and researchers to turn inspiration into life-changing experiences.
In our 2025–2026 Report on Giving, you’ll read stories that reflect the many ways donors are shaping student experiences, strengthening community, advancing research , and empowering the next generation to lead and innovate.
Thank you to everyone who supports the game-changers at Waterloo. Your generosity is fueling our momentum as we move together towards an exciting future.
Don't miss the 2026 LUMEN Festival this Saturday night!
“OCULUCIS” is a light art installation by artist Hermes Mangialardo. Sponsored by the University of Waterloo.
The University is once again proud to be a sponsor and content partner of our community's premier festival of art, light, and technology.
Highlights for 2026 include:
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Visit the Waterloo Public Library main branch parking lot for incredible UWaterloo activations including Quantum Quest (presented by the Institute for Quantum Computing); Engineering Uptown Lab (presented by Engineering Outreach); and the Science of Shadows Studio (presented by Science Outreach).
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As always, check out art by UWaterloo fine arts students at the Student Art Innovation Lab (SAIL), this year featuring MFA student Sherri Hay's Winter
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You literally can't miss the giant eyeball activation, OCULUCIS.
Visit the festival website to plan your evening.
Homecoming this weekend!
At Homecoming, generations of Waterloo come together for one shared experience: a celebration of past, present and future.
Join us on Saturday, September 19 to celebrate Waterloo’s community and traditions (old and new). There’s something for everyone to enjoy — from the annual Fun Run to campus tours and the football game.
When and Where
Share your perspective on Waterloo’s future. President Bill Rosehart wants to hear from you. The voluntary and anonymous survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by Wednesday, September 30.
Warrior Rec Instructional Programs Registration Deadline – September 18, 11:00 AM. Dance, Martial Arts, Skating, Skipping and Climbing lessons available. Find out more and register today.
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
Warriors Youth Swim Lessons, registration is now open for LTS Child/Youth Preschool 1 – Swimmer 9. Group and private lessons available. Register today!
Join us for the Warriors Fuel Grand Opening, at Columbia Ice Fields September 14–19, and celebrate with a special offer: Buy One, Get One FREE smoothies all week long, including Homecoming! Stop by, bring a friend, and find your new favourite way to fuel your day! See the New Hours: Warriors Fuel
Crochet/Knit Stress Buster Drop-in Sessions, every Monday from September 14 to December 14, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.(no session on October 12). Evenings: September 23, October 19, and November 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. CPH 2371.
Chemistry Seminar Series: Ingo Krossing, “Fluorinated Anions for Electrolytes and Interphases – A thrive through the Li and Post-Li Battery World,” Tuesday, September 22, 10:30 a.m., QNC 1501
Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Register to attend this free public event.
GIS Speed Run Session 1: What is GIS?, Tuesday, September 22, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., online.
Belonging at Waterloo: From Being Here to Being Part of Something, Wednesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., online. This Healthy Waterloo webinar is primarily intended for students, with faculty, staff, alumni, and external community members also welcome to attend. The session will explore belonging, social connection and wellbeing during the university experience.
Home Routes folk concert: Shawna Caspi, Thursday, September 24, 6:00 p.m. Potluck / 7:00 p.m. Concert, Brubacher House - North Campus UW, Frank Tompa Dr., Waterloo
Climate pedagogy across the curriculum: approaches for higher education, Friday, September 25, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EV2 room 2006
Safeguarding Science Webinar: Module 8 - Protecting Knowledge: Research Security in Social Sciences and Humanities (English), Monday, September 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Teaching with Tech: A Practical ViewBoard Workshop - In Person (TII5010), Tuesday, September 22, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., LIB 329 (Tech Sandbox)
Accessibility Ally Network: Accessibility in Work Meetings, Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Belonging at Waterloo: From Being Here to Being Part of Something: Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., virtual. Professor Troy Glover explores how social connections and shared experiences can foster a sense of belonging on campus. Registration today.
Noon Hour Concert Series - Ryan Baxter, Piano Music by Indigenous Composers in Canada, Wednesday, September 23, 12 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, Selected work for piano by Indigenous Canadian composers, played in the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation. Free Admission
Climate pedagogy across the curriculum: approaches for higher education, Friday, September 25, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., EV2 room 2006
Celebrate Indigenous Culture at the 2026 Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát Pow Wow, September 26, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Columbia Icefield (CIF) Outdoor Field. Free Admission.
Introduction to Crochet, Monday, September 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Wednesday, October 14 and 21, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (class is held over two weeks). It will also be held on Monday, November 2, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on the Cambridge Campus on Tuesday, September 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location will be sent at registration. Note: This workshop costs $25.
Science Grad School Fair, Tuesday, September 29, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., STC, Main Commons (by STC 1001 and Starbucks)
Campus Bird Walk, Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., Brubacher House
When the System Fails: A Story of Mental Health, Islamophobia and Accountability Documentary Film Screening and Conversation, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., EC5, Room 1111
Noon Hour Concert Series - Subhira Quintet, Worldly Jazz from Chile, Wednesday, September 30, 12:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, Combines musical ethnic roots of Chile and other countries with classical music, jazz and South American rich dancing traditional music.Free Admission
Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, "Knowledge Mobilizationin Canada and Beyond: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?" Thursday, October 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: EC5 1111 (Enterprise Theatre). For questions, contact Nadine Quehl (nquehl@uwaterloo.ca).
More Feet on the Ground Certificate, Monday, October 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., PSE 7303/7363.
Safeguarding Science Webinar: Module 2: Dual-Use Technologies: Know Your Research - Know Your Partners - Assess the Risk(English) - Tuesday, October 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WaterLeadership Certificate: Knowledge Mobilization 101, Wednesday, October 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in E2-2350. Earn the certificate, gain transferable skills. All undergrads and grads welcome from all faculties. Space is limited, registration required.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website.
PhD oral defences
Physics and Astronomy, Saba KARIMI, “Transformation of Stable Polystyrene Glasses toward Equilibrium.” Supervisor(s), Dr. James Forrest. Visit the Faculty of Science website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 11 a.m., PHY 308
Biology, Fatma Hassan MOHAMMED, “The function and inhibition of SARS-Cov-2 main protease(mpro).” Supervisor(s), Dr. Todd Holyoak. Visit the Faculty of Science website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Friday, September 18, 2026, 1 p.m., B1 266
School of Public Health Sciences, Alexandra Butler, "Solitary cannabis use among Canadian secondary school students: Prevalence, risk patterns, and the protective role of school connectedness across a period of public health policy change." Supervisor, Dr. Scott Leatherdale. Email health.graduate.administration@uwaterloo.ca for a copy. Oral defence Monday, September 21, 9:00 a.m., BMH 3119 (hybrid).
History, Michael Michael, "The Indigenous Global Village: Indigenous Anti-Colonialism, Media, and Exchange in the Global Sixties." Supervisor, Prof. Susan Roy. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer until Monday, September 21, 2026. Oral defence Monday, September 21, 10:00 a.m., PAS 2464 (hybrid).
Physics and Astronomy, Eivind JOERSTAD, “Quantum Information Probes in Holography: Shell Geometries and Black Hole Singularities.” Supervisor(s), Dr. Robert Myers. Visit the Faculty of Science website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 11:00 a.m., PHY 352
Chemistry, I-Hsuan YEH, “Dopant–Carrier Exchange Coupling in Mn2+-Doped Metal Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals.” Supervisor(s), Dr. Pavle Radovanovic. Visit the Faculty of Science website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m., C2 361
School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, Nayadeth Arriagada Oyarzun, "Navigating vulnerability and viability with an intersectional lens: the case of small-scale fisheries of Chiloé, Chile", Dr. Prateep Nayak, narriagadaoyarzun@uwaterloo.ca, Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 1:00 pm, remote