Programs

The Velocity Science program is a collaboration between Velocity and the Faculty of Science and is designed for student-teams and faculty-led teams who have a product idea with an element of scientific exploration. Velocity Science can help teams validate the opportunities envisioned for their technology, from a business and technical perspective. This is achieved through goal-setting exercises, mentorship from advisors with science startup experience and beginning and end-of-term touch points.

Velocity Science teams are also able to conduct integral pilot studies and work on creating physical prototypes within the Science Innovation Hub. The Science Innovation Hub team has assembled technical advisement resources drawing from faculty members across the Waterloo community to further support your growth.

For more information on this program and how to apply, please visit the Velocity Science website.

The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business is the academic engine for entrepreneurship at Waterloo, offering business and entrepreneurship education for undergraduate students in all faculties. Conrad offers the Minor in Entrepreneurship, an eight-course minor that combines Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (BET) courses with an entrepreneurial experience component, focused on either venture creation or corporate entrepreneurship.

Conrad also offers Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op), in which students earn a co-op credit while building their own business, as well as ten BET courses covering topics such as Venture Creation, Commercialization Management, Social Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurial Behaviour. Their one-of-a-kind BETS program gives first year Engineering students a chance to explore the world of entrepreneurship through project-based micro work term placements while directly supporting seed and early stage startups by providing access to co-op students that they may not have had the resources to hire.

The Science Innovation Hub has built a multi-faceted collaboration with Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business centered around the E-coop and BETS programs. We’re offering physical laboratory workspace and access to all of the Science Innovation Hub’s resources for students who are committed to venture creation and growth during their E-coop work terms. We’re also integrating Science Innovation Hub teams as potential employers within the BETS program, providing support for first year Engineering students alongside our growing community of student entrepreneurs.

GreenHouse is a live-in innovation community specifically designed to support students in the unique challenges and opportunities in pursuing social entrepreneurship. Under the guidance of professional mentors, students from various faculties conceive and implement initiatives that create environmental or social justice change. Based out of St. Paul’s University College, students receive specialized learning opportunities, gain valuable skills, build relevant networks, and put their academic knowledge into practice.

The Faculty of Science is proud to be connecting and collaborating with GreenHouse by providing physical workspace and technical guidance through the Science Innovation Hub for any GreenHouse teams who have a science-focused social entrepreneurship idea.

University of Waterloo’s iGEM team is a Sedra Student Design team founded in 2005 and brings a rich history of student experiential learning, leadership, and community to the Science Innovation Hub. Focused on the wonders of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, iGEM provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for undergraduate students of all years, experience levels, and Faculties to delve into open-ended, inquiry-based research.

The Science Innovation Hub is proud to be the new home of the iGEM Waterloo team starting in 2020, providing ample lab space, operational infrastructure support, and an environment of driven, like-minded individuals to further stimulate the creativity and dedication that defines iGEM. To find out more about how you can become a part of the iGEM team, please go to their application page.