Current students

Friday, May 23, 2025

Waterloo connections run deep within 2025 Narwhal unicorn list

by Sam Charles, University Relations

Tech companies with University of Waterloo connections continue to climb the annual Narwhal list of Canadian unicorns.

The list assembled annually by the Narwhal Project, a group that monitors and analyzes the technology sector, offers companies supports to become more efficient and adopt best practices. Each year they evaluate close to 1,000 Canadian technology companies. The total number of unicorns in Canada has grown from only three in 2020 to 26 this year.

Friday, May 23, 2025

How to deliver on the powerful promise of quantum computers

by Naomi Grosman, Institute for Quantum Computing

Quantum computers promise more than code breaking. They could unlock commercial value in areas like banking, automotive and optimization industries. Businesses need to not only prepare for quantum attacks, but also ready their organizations to tap into the economic benefit of adopting quantum technologies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech are revolutionizing how building developers and owners design, build and maintain their properties thanks to Adaptis, a Velocity startup. The decision-making platform supports optimizing cost-benefit and carbon usage from concept to completion by integrating financial, sustainability and operational data.

In its latest seed funding round, Adaptis has secured $4 million USD ($5.5 million CDN) from Building Ventures, including MetaProp, 2048 Ventures, Powerhouse Ventures and Blue Vision Capital.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

WWII codebreaker and mathematician Tutte honored with stamp

by Melodie Roschman, Faculty of Mathematics

Waterloo professor and WWII codebreaker Dr. William T. Tutte (1917-2002) is one of ten individuals being honored by Great Britain’s Royal Mail in a stamp series commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Tutte’s stamp, which features his photograph in front of a multi-wheeled code machine, recognizes him for “Codebreaking the Lorenz cipher machine at Bletchley Park.”

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Connecting Waterloo’s best students with Canada’s best companies

by Sam Charles, University Relations

Chris Albinson, co-founder and managing partner of Canadian venture capital fund True North Fund and co-founder of C100, says Canada is at a critical juncture in its continuing evolution as a global innovator. He says the country and its tech leaders need to work harder to retain the best and the brightest.

Friday, May 2, 2025

From awareness to action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

by Emily Brant, Office of Indigenous Relations

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People is recognized annually on May 5. The day is also known as “Red Dress Day” and it carries deep sorrow, love, accountability and responsibility.  

This day was established because there is an ongoing crisis in Canada of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people and the issue is often overlooked and forgotten — hence the urgent need for awareness and action.  

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Funding the future of optometry

by Beth Bohnert, Office of Advancement

“My wife hasn’t seen my eyes in five years,” the patient told University of Waterloo student Nina Yan on her first day working in an optometry practice. After suffering a concussion, the man was forced to wear dark sunglasses constantly to alleviate the pain of extreme light sensitivity. 

Monday, April 28, 2025

Velocity Up Start powers the next generation of business leaders

by Sam Charles, University Relations

When an idea takes flight, it can soar — especially when it is supercharged. The University of Waterloo has long been known as one of Canada’s most innovative universities and ranks number one amongst Canadian universities for producing the most successful entrepreneurs with undergraduate degrees. In large part that stems from its exceptional students and researchers that actively uncover solutions to challenges facing humanity and the planet.