Entrepreneurship

Raymond LaFlamme, O.C.
Professor, Faculty of Science
> Institue for Quantum Computing 
> Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis "John von Neumann" Chair in Quantum Information
> Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information

The quantum race will not be won by the first to develop a quantum computer.

Katarina Ilic (BASc ’13)
Alumnus, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science
> Co-Founder, Voltera Inc.

Our digital future is becoming faster, cheaper and easier to manufacture.

David Jao
Professor, Faculty of Mathematics
> David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Cross-Appointed
> Chief Cryptographer, EvolutionQ Inc.
> Director, Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research

Along with all the exuberance about the potential of future quantum computers, there are worries.

Thouheed Abdul Gaffoor (MASc ’17)
Alumnus, Faculty of Engineering
> Co-Founder, Emagin
> Velocity Garage

In Canada, 2017 may have been a year of floods, but Thouheed Abdul Gaffoor still has his eye on the long-term, global picture: fresh water is a scarce resource, and it’s getting scarcer.

Started by the Suffragettes in the early 1900’s, the first International Women’s Day took place in 1911. To celebrate the day 107 years later, Velocity decided to interview three female founders that #PressforProgress, and have made a significant social, economic, and environmental impact with their startups.

RACHEL THOMPSON, FOUNDER OF MARLENA BOOKS

This year's World's Challenge Challenge competition saw competitors addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and developing a possible solution to tackle the global problem. The issues at hand included clean water and sanitation, access to reliable and affordable electricity, and sustainable agriculture practices to help reduce hunger.

From clean technologies to quantum computing, laboratories to industry, startup ideas to global relevance, what does the future hold for Canadian invention? 

That question was tabled during a panel discussion hosted in partnership with progressive think-tank Canada 2020.

More than 200 Waterloo alumni and students attended the Ottawa event to discuss Canada's relevance in the global market, identifying culture, risk-taking and funding as key factors.

Helmed by economics professor Larry Smith, the Problem Lab is dedicated to the identification and analysis of important problems, those that, when solved, can lead to revolutionary advances in industry.

With $300,000 in seed funding from Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, the principals of Quantum Valley Investments® and founders of Blackberry, the Problem Lab supports students in the critical first stage of entrepreneurial development.