Eight teams of student founders from the University of Waterloo won a total of $95,000 at the Velocity Pitch Competition – All Star Edition to invest in their innovative startups.
Waterloo Engineering students co-founded six of those startups, including the event’s first-prize winner of $25,000 — GreaseTech. The company, co-founded by Jesh Ramesh (MBET ’24), helps manufacturers prevent machine failures by optimizing lubrication processes.
The other five Waterloo Engineering teams each won $10,000. They are:
CELLECT Laboratories, co-founded by CT Murphy (nanotechnology engineering) and Ibukunoluwa Elebute (entrepreneurship, business and technology), is working on a non-invasive device in menstrual products that enables easy cervical cancer and HPV screening, improving access to life-saving diagnostics.
GrownStone, founded by Adrian Simone (civil engineering), creates sustainable construction material by transforming construction and agricultural waste such as corn stover and bean pods into innovative building supplies.
Mapkot Technologies, co-founded by Kwaku Twum (entrepreneurship, business and technology), is a platform that connects food processors with small farmers, enhancing traceability, responsible sourcing, and compliance with international standards.
PatientCompanion, co-founded by Christy Lee and Ethan Alvizo (both biomedical engineering), is a modern, user-friendly, and fully customizable patient care platform that empowers nurses to deliver exceptional care.
Swish Solar, co-founded by Miswar Syed and AmirHossein Boreiri (both electrical and computer engineering), 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.
Go to Waterloo founders win big at Velocity Pitch Competition for the full story.