Join Social Innovators in Training
At Social Innovators in Training (SIIT), you’ll work alongside like-minded innovators to create tangible social or environmental change through your own project or venture. Join when you’re ready to move beyond classroom discussions about issues like climate justice or food insecurity and into meaningful action, bringing quiet hope or burning ideas while seeking practical tools and community to turn “what if?” into “what’s next?”
SIIT guides you through a structured 10-week journey each fall and winter term. We meet weekly for 90 minutes in the GreenHouse space, followed by a community dinner, to engage in hands-on activities. These sessions help you test real-world solutions, design solutions with inclusive principles, prototype and test ideas, and build relationships with stakeholders like funders and partners. Joining SIIT gives you direct access to innovation training, tailored mentorship, professional networks, and unique funding opportunities. You pitch your refined concepts to the Social Impact Fund, turning insights into action. You might be a strong fit if:
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You have an environmental or social idea you’re ready to advance
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You want to develop entrepreneurial skills through doing, not just theory
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You seek a supportive community to grow your network alongside your ideas
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You are tired of solo hustle and ready to share the load with peers who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities
SIIT is open to all University of Waterloo students across any faculty or level of study, including recent alumni within the past six months. Our Fall 2025 cohort runs September to November. Applications for our Fall 2025 cohort are now closed, but applications are now open for Winter 2026!
Student Testimonials
Lydia Madintin Konlan
"My experience with GreenHouse’s Social Innovators in Training program has been both impactful and fulfilling. This opportunity has not only empowered me to enhance and iterate on my idea but it has also provided the support needed for its continued development in the months ahead. The experience has facilitated networking and connections with both people and resources, fostering meaningful relationships. GreenHouse is a place where remarkable things unfold, and I eagerly anticipate participating once more."
Miswar Syed
"The GreenHouse incubator not only provided me with a launchpad for my startup but also served as a catalyst for personal growth and development. It has been a truly transformative experience that has shaped my entrepreneurial mindset, expanded my horizons, and connected me with a network of inspiring individuals. I wholeheartedly recommend the GreenHouse incubator to any aspiring entrepreneur looking to turn their vision into reality."