Two Waterloo Engineering grads have won prestigious EY Ontario Entrepreneur Of the Year awards for their individual contributions and spirit of entrepreneurship. Both entrepreneurs, John Baker and Matt Rendall, received their well-deserved awards at the Ernst & Young Awards Gala in Toronto on October 24, 2013.
John Baker was celebrated in the Science and Technology award category for his success and contributions through Desire2Learn the Kitchener based firm he founded, that provides learning solutions to overcome challenges related to engagement and retention of learners.
John Baker founded Desire2Learn in 1999, while attending the University of Waterloo as a Systems Design Engineering student. He was a Waterloo Region Top 40 Under 40 award recipient in 2009, and Desire2Learn was named one of 2013's 50 Best Managed Companies. John Baker graduated with an Honours BASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, with First Class Honours and an option in Management Sciences. He is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council.
Matt Rendall won the Award for the Young Entrepreneur category, for his contributions to Clearpath Robotics, based in Kitchener.
Clearpath Robotics is a multi-million dollar corporation with a vision to "automate the world’s dullest, dirtiest, and deadliest jobs" with unmanned vehicles for land, water, and labs. Matt Rendall is a graduate of Mechatronics Engineering and holds a Master of Business and Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET, 2009) from the University of Waterloo's Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre. Matt Rendall was one of the four University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering grads who founded Clearpath Robotics. The co-founders include Ryan Gariepy, Patrick Martinson, and Bryan Webb.
The overall winner of the Ontario Entrepreneurship Award Of the Year was given to Geoffrey Smith of EllisDon Corporation, who will represent the region at the national gala held in Toronto on November 27, 2013.