Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Waterloo founders raise more than $14 billion USD

by University Relations

Founders from the University of Waterloo raised more than $14 billion USD in venture capital, according to the latest 2025 rankings by PitchBook, a company that tracks global venture capital and private equity markets. Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to make an impact locally and globally with more than 639 founders launching 527 companies.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Meet Waterloo’s 10 new Schulich Leaders

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

The University of Waterloo is pleased to welcome 10 outstanding students to its incoming first-year class through the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships program.  

Awarded annually to 100 high school graduates across Canada, these scholarships recognize exceptional individuals who demonstrate strong entrepreneurial potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each Schulich Leader receives between $100,000 and $120,000, empowering them to pursue their academic goals with financial peace of mind. 

Monday, September 8, 2025

Five ways to tap into Waterloo’s entrepreneurship ecosystem

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

Students and entrepreneurial researchers are drawn to the University of Waterloo for its distinctive innovation ecosystem. Whether you're committed to creating social change, developing early-stage inventions or launching a commercial venture that’s poised to make waves, Waterloo offers the right support at every stage of the journey. 

Monday, August 18, 2025

Made by Waterloo: Prototyping the future of innovation

by Angelica Marie Sanchez, University Relations

In 2013, the global maker movement was gaining momentum as desktop 3D printers began appearing in offices, homes and classrooms, revolutionizing rapid prototyping with plastic materials. But when it came to printing circuit boards, the process remained slow, complex and largely outsourced.

Four University of Waterloo alumni, Jesus Zozaya (BASc ’13), Katarina Ilić (BASc '13), James Pickard (BASc '13) and Alroy Almeida (BASc '13) saw an opportunity to change that.

Friday, August 15, 2025

Waterloo alum scores success in beauty-tech world

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

Waterloo students, researchers and alumni are renowned for identifying problems and developing solutions for a better future. Aileen Agada, (BASc ’21, MBET ’24), CEO and co-founder of BeBlended, is one such example of Waterloo-grown talent. 

After being turned away from 15 hair salons because the stylists didn’t have the training or skills to work with her Afro-curly hair, Agada was inspired to launch a company that would solve the problem for other people in her shoes.  

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Automating routine health care tasks through robotics takes another decisive step forward

by Jordan Flemming, University Relations

Cobionix, a pioneer in autonomous medical robotics, has secured $3 million in new strategic funding from venture capital firm TitletownTech. The firm, whose backers include Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers, specializes in digital health, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and entertainment.

Monday, July 7, 2025

New technologies may hold the key to climate resiliency

by Sam Charles, University Relations

Forecasting and tracking wildfires and flooding is extremely complicated as multiple variables are involved. Weather, topography and groundwater flows are just some of the elements that need to be considered when preparing or responding to natural disasters.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies are enabling these variables to be analyzed and interpreted quickly and more accurately than ever before allowing decision makers and first responders to make informed decisions that can save lives and safeguard infrastructure.