Larry Smith stepping down as Problem Lab director

The iconic Larry Smith is ironically stepping away from a start-up. He is stepping away from his director role in The Problem Lab student innovation program. Smith founded The Problem Lab in 2018 and has served as its director ever since.

“Larry’s passion for economics and entrepreneurship has paved his long Waterloo career as being one of the University’s most sought-after instructors, guest speakers and leaders,” writes Chris Read, associate provost, students. “The Problem Lab, the first of its kind in Canada, has helped many student innovators learn how to examine a problem. Through Larry’s leadership, the Problem Lab has supported thousands of students and entrenched Waterloo’s reputation for being the home to the most creative, energetic and determined students in the world. This creation was born out of Larry’s passion to ensure our students were dreaming big, thinking big, and readied to make their impact.”

The Problem Lab helps students find and understand important problems—the critical, but often overlooked, first step of entrepreneurial innovation. The Problem Lab was established with $300,000 in seed funding from Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, principals of Quantum Valley Investments® and founders of Blackberry.

Smith is a Waterloo alumnus, holding a BA and MA from the University as well as an honorary degree from Conestoga College. His specialty is in the economics of innovation and forecasting. He received the University of Waterloo’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1993. Smith made a splash on the world stage when his 2011 Tedx talk, Why you will fail to have a great career, went viral with more than 7 million views to date. His book, No Fears, No Excuses: What You Need to Do to Have a Great Career, was published in 2016.

“Larry’s work with UWaterloo will continue in his ongoing appointments with the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business and the Department of Economics as an Adjunct Associate Professor,” Read writes.

Smith wraps up his term as director of the Problem Lab on Friday, April 30.

Story initially posted in UWaterloo Daily Bulletin