Contact the Problem Lab
Mathematics and Computer Building, room 2057
University of Waterloo
519-888-4567, Ext. 36421
Harnessing the power of problem analysis
The Problem Lab identifies and understands important problems to create innovations with disruptive economic and social consequence. We help established organizations, newly created ventures, and aspiring entrepreneurs recognize obstacles.
Students
Are you interested in entrepreneurship, a problem, or developing your research and analysis skills? Learn how to examine a problem from many different perspectives at an event, workshop, or competition.
External partners
Businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, and public agencies seek our assistance with problem analysis. Faculty and staff can conduct the analysis, supervise a student team to do so, or help partners create their own analyses.
News
- Mar. 30, 2022Congratulations Winter 2022 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Winners
This semester we saw a group of 6 amazing finalists deliver their deep understanding of important commercial problems affecting a number of industries.
Teams had 5-minutes to deliver their research on the commercial problem they identified, followed by 10-minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges. The judges selected winners that were best able to demonstrate they had the most thorough analysis of the problem. Two teams emerging as the top picks from the judges. Each of the two winners will now have access to $7,500 in R&D funding to finance the development of a solution to the problems they presented.
Congratulations to the winners and all the finalists in this semester’s Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch competition.
Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch winners
- Mar. 16, 2022The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Finalists
The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch is nearly here and finalists are ready to present their analysis of important industry problems. After weeks of honing their problem analysis skills, assessing the scope, scale, history, and how current solutions are falling short, six teams secured their spots in the Winter 2022 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Finals. In addition to secondary research, teams drew upon their own work experiences, backgrounds and interviews with stakeholders to validate the important problems they researched.
- Dec. 1, 2021Fall 2021 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Winner
Last night, after weeks of hard work and hours of conducting research, finalists in the Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch put their best work forward and presented their analysis of several important industry problems.
Six impressive teams had 5-minutes to deliver their research on the problem they identified, followed by 10-minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges. The judges selected the winner that was best able to demonstrate they had the most thorough analysis of the problem. One team emerged as the top pick from the judges, walking away with $7,500 in funding. In support of all the dedication that teams showed throughout the compeition, each finalist received $2,000 to finance the development of a solution to the problems they presented!
We also want to thank our judges for spending their time learning about the unique problems presented and creating meaningful dialogue with teams during the Q&A. This semester’s judges included Rosalie Wyonch, Senior Policy Analyst, C.D. Howe Institute, and Susan Motkaluk, Chair CEO Advisor & Executive Coach, TEC Canada.
Congratulations to all the finalists in this semester’s Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch competition.
The Winner of the Fall 2021 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch:
Events
- May 19, 2022Researching Like a Pro
- June 2, 2022Interviewing for Insight
- June 8, 2022Lunch and Learn
This lunchtime and learn session will focus on the importance of stakeholder interviews and for problem validation.
Bring your lunch and hang out for this informative and relaxed lunch hour session.