Innovation starts with understanding, not solving. The first of its kind in Canada, the University of Waterloo's Problem Lab is designed to help innovators create ventures of significant economic and social consequence.
At the Problem Lab, we challenge the conventional wisdom that great solutions come from quick fixes and rapid prototyping. Instead, we're obsessed with problems — identifying them, dissecting them, and truly understanding their depth and complexity.
At the Problem Lab our vision is to revolutionize how we approach innovation. We believe that the most transformative breakthroughs come from deeply understanding the problem first. Through our unique programs, competitions, and partnerships, we guide students, entrepreneurs, and organizations to become problem connoisseurs — experts who can identify and analyze challenges with the potential for disruptive economic and social impact.
Why? Because when you fall in love with the problem, not the solution, you unlock more possibilities. Join us in developing a problem-understanding mindset that leads to more meaningful, impactful innovations.
Students
Are you interested in entrepreneurship, a problem, or developing your research and analysis skills? Learn how to examine a problem from many different perspectives, at an event, workshop or a competition.
For students →
External partners
Businesses, non-profit organizations, charities and public agencies seek our assistance with problem analysis. Faculty and staff can conduct the analysis, supervise a student team to do so, or help partners create their own analyses.
For external partners →
"We believe that the Problem Lab and the Quantum Valley Investments Problem Pitch Competition will encourage students to focus on fully understanding a problem before venturing to solve it, and will lead to better ideas and strategies for new businesses. We expect the program to grow over time and play an important role in the University’s, the region’s, and Canada’s innovation ecosystem."
— Mike Lazaridis