News

Simantic, a hardware simulation startup founded by two Waterloo Engineering students, has raised roughly $600,000 USD and won spots in both the Velocity incubator and Y Combinator's Fall 2026 cohort.

Seungmin Hong (BASc '26) launched Simantic in 2025 with Ahnaf Shahriar (BASc in progress) joining as a co-founder in 2026. The company builds simulation technology that lets engineers and AI systems build, test and validate firmware in virtual environments before physical hardware exists.

An adjunct professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has been honoured by the world's largest technical professional organization for his service to the global engineering community.

Dr. George Shaker will receive the 2026 Service Award from the Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S), part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He was recognized for his leadership in strengthening the Society's global engagement, member and student support, and industry participation.

Two professors from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have been recognized with prestigious IEEE Canada awards for their contributions to electrical and electronics engineering.

Dr. Alfred Yu has been named the 2026 recipient of the IEEE Canada Outstanding Engineer Award for his transformative innovations in next-generation ultrasound imaging technology, while Dr. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the IEEE Canada A.G.L. McNaughton Award for his contributions to wireless and ultra-band communication networks.

A new quantum computing startup co-founded by Waterloo Engineering professor Dr. Christopher Wilson is accelerating toward commercialization with $10.7 million in funding and a public listing just six months after launch.

QuantumCore — spun out of research at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) — is developing an amplifier that boosts read-out signals from superconducting quantum chips operating at near absolute zero temperatures. 

Hyperlume, a deep-tech company based in Ottawa, has been acquired by San Jose-based semiconductor firm Credo Technology Group for $128 million.

Hyperlume was co-founded by University of Waterloo alum Dr. Mohsen Asad (PhD '20, electrical and computer engineering) in 2022. Its technology makes AI data centres faster, cheaper and more energy efficient.

ThinkLabs AI, a specialized AI development and deployment company, has secured $39-million to scale its physics-informed artificial intelligence platform for electric utility companies.

Founded in 2024 by Waterloo Engineering alum Joshua Wong (MASc '10, electrical and computer engineering), the investment will power the company’s capabilities to help utility providers modernize power grid infrastructure for electricity-hungry AI data centres.

Six Faculty of Engineering graduate students were named finalists in the 2026 GRADflix competition, with two taking top honours for creative videos explaining their research to a general audience.

Chemical engineering student Chen and electrical and computer engineering student Pan earned first- and second-place recognition in the University of Waterloo contest, hosted by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. 

Student startup Colare makes it easier for an employer to hire the right engineer for the job. The company uses simulation-based assessments to test candidates on real-world engineering tasks, such as CAD modelling and printed circuit board design.

Waterloo Engineering student Nain Abdi, inspired by his own co-op hiring experiences, co-founded Colare in 2025 with Esther Thomas to improve how engineering talent is evaluated.

The Faculty of Engineering is mourning the passing of a long-time leader whose work in electromagnetics helped shape modern antenna research and guided generations of students and colleagues.

Dr. Robert (Bob) H. MacPhie, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus and former faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, passed away on December 3, 2025, at the age of 92. 

A new Faculty award has been introduced to honour the resilience that carries many doctoral researchers through periods of profound personal or systemic challenge.

This year’s inaugural recipient, doctoral candidate Ahmed El Ashmawy, was recognized for completing major milestones in his electrical and computer engineering PhD while navigating extended family illness, caregiving responsibilities and significant personal loss.