To infinity and beyond: co-op students drive impact in AI research at startup
By: Micaela Kelly (she/her)
InfinityQ is a startup with a bold mission: to solve complex problems using quantum-inspired and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. From optimizing financial portfolios to streamlining supply chains, the company is helping industries make smarter, faster decisions.
At InfinityQ, Waterloo co-op students are deeply embedded in the research process. They define problems, build algorithms and present their findings to global audiences. Their work is shaping the future of mathematical optimization.
The company’s commitment to student development and the opportunities it provides to students earned InfinityQ the 2025 Employer Impact Award for Impact in Research.
It’s a huge honour to receive the Impact in Research Award. I started as a co-op student myself, and now I get to create the dream opportunity I wished I had back then.
Brian Mao (MMath ’23), head of algorithms, InfinityQ
Company snapshot
Industry: Technology (AI and mathematical optimization research)
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Years of operation: 5
Years as a co-op employer: 2
Total Waterloo co-op work terms: 4
Key co-op student roles: Mathematical algorithms and machine learning developer, performance software development
The approach
InfinityQ integrates students into every stage of its research and development cycle.
“We treat co-op students like full-time researchers. They’re not just supporting—they’re leading projects, publishing and presenting globally,” Mao says.
Students take part from the beginning of each project and help to:
- define the problem
- research solutions
- build and test algorithms
- present to global audiences
The team at InfinityQ delivers a presentation at an event
The impact of co-op students
Ethan Wang, a Mathematical Finance student, developed a new AI portfolio mathematical optimization use case that became a featured example on InfinityQ’s GitHub. For a project focused on solving routing problems to deliver groceries efficiently, Wang went on an international collaboration and research trip to Brazil. During this trip, he worked with a professor whose research inspired the project.
“I got to present it at a conference for PhD students. It gave me a good level of exposure into the research world,” says Wang.
Rebecca He, a Computational Math student, improved solver efficiency through mathematical decompositions. She also built real-world demos and tools that helped market the solver to clients.
“Every single thing you do—every line of code—is impactful to the company. That’s something I hadn’t experienced at bigger companies before,” says He.
“InfinityQ is showing what’s possible when students are trusted to lead,” says Jeff Chamberlain, account manager, CEE. “Their commitment to cutting-edge AI research and student-led innovation makes them a leader in quantum-inspired technology. And an exceptional co-op employer.”
The team at InfinityQ in their offices
Ethan Wang, Waterloo Mathematical Finance co-op student, presents on behalf of InfinityQ at a conference
Ethan Wang, Mathematical Finance co-op student, Faculty of Mathematics
The takeaway?
InfinityQ proves employers can trust students with real responsibility and know they'll deliver real results. Waterloo co-op students’ work is shaping the future of optimization and AI, showing what’s possible.