Surrounded by game-changing ideas and people, it’s easy to feel inspired at Waterloo. Here, at Canada’s number-one university for founders, you'll find learning and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
With unlimited access to free resources, you have everything you need to take your ideas to the next level: coaching, mentorship, funding, for-credit courses, workshops, pitch competitions, high-end tools and equipment – and, most importantly, people who believe in your potential.
Own your ideas
If you come up with an idea during your time at Waterloo, it's yours to develop. We're here to help, of course, with incubators, mentorship, funding, and more!
Incubators: turn your ideas into action
Our incubators provide you with access to workshops, networking, one-on-one coaching, funding, mentorship, and student creator spaces.
Velocity
Velocity, our flagship entrepreneurship ecosystem – helps you grow your venture at every stage and level of experience
Pitch competitions – win funding to help advance your business idea
Velocity Foundations – learn about important issues while building an innovative mindset
Social incubators
Grebel Peace Incubator – help to build a more just and peaceful world
Greenhouse – for students who want to create social or environmental change
Flint Hub – Indigenous students can explore entrepreneurship and contribute to the growth of Indigenous economies
Make entrepreneurship part of your degree
Want to learn about entrepreneurship but not ready to launch a business? You can take courses through the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business as part of your Waterloo degree.
Add a minor to your degree
- Entrepreneurship minor (or option if you're in Engineering)
- Indigenous Entrepreneurship
- International Trade
- Management Studies
- Social Innovation
Use co-op to gain experience
Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students – junior co-op students work with early-stage startup companies who don't have the resources to hire full-time staff
E-co-op – start your own business while earning a co-op credit
Facilities to fuel your creativity
There's an incredible range of hands-on opportunities waiting for you at Waterloo.
Student design teams
Have fun and get experience with our 20+ student-led design teams working on solar cars, robots, rocketry, submarine racing, autonomous cars and sailboats, and more.
Canada's largest student hackathon
1,000+ hackers from around the world come to Waterloo for a hackathon like no other. At Hack the North, discover a community of like-minded hackers, connect with world-class mentors, and build because you love to build.
Go in depth with year-long projects
In many programs, you can complete a year-long project of your choice as part of your final year. Many students use their projects to explore potential careers, to start their own company, or as good training for a Master's degree.
Maker spaces
Get access to Architectural Engineering Maker Space (high-end digital fabrication tools), Velocity Digital (space to unleash new software, electronic, and medical technology ideas), and Velocity Science (access to instrumentation and consumables, mentorship, and technical advice).