Build ventures. Drive innovation. Lead change.
The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business in the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering serves as the academic engine for entrepreneurs.
Building on Waterloo’s strong culture of innovation and experiential education, the school provides hands-on learning in venture creation, innovative commercialization, and strategic start-up growth.
Through a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and outreach programs, students gain the skills and experience to launch new ventures, drive innovation within organizations, and lead in rapidly evolving markets.
Conrad School graduates are ambitious, action-oriented decision-makers equipped to transform ideas into impactful business outcomes.
Start your entrepreneurial journey here
"Waterloo has been a main driving force behind Canadian entrepreneurship, powering Canada’s largest tech-corridor network to help innovators move ideas from the lab to the marketplace." - The Waterloo Impact Report 2026.
Undergraduate Students
Enhance your undergraduate degree by joining Conrad School's specialized programs, experiences, and courses.
Graduate Students
Commercialize your ideas and earn your master's degree, PhD, or complement your studies with graduate offerings.
News
Student entrepreneurs tackle real-world challenges at the Spring 2026 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition Finals
From improving access to clean drinking water to advancing space sustainability, student innovators from across the University of Waterloo showcased bold ideas with the potential to solve some of society's most pressing challenges during the Spring 2026 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition Finals.
Hosted by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, the QVI Problem Pitch Competition challenges students to identify meaningful problems, validate their significance, to support the development of innovative, evidence-based solutions. Rather than beginning with an idea, students start by deeply understanding a real-world challenge; a foundational entrepreneurial mindset that emphasizes solving problems people genuinely face.
Climate resilience starts with informed decisions
Part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) and Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow student Hasti Shwan has been featured in Waterloo News for his work developing GeoSafe Climate.
By combining artificial intelligence, geospatial analytics, and environmental modelling, GeoSafe Climate helps property owners, municipalities, engineers, planners, insurers, and developers better understand climate-related risks before critical decisions are made.
Hasti's work reflects the entrepreneurial mindset we foster at the Conrad School: transforming research into practical solutions that create real-world impact.
Building brands, building businesses
After launching New Valley Brand House as an undergraduate student, Emma Tonellato-Keller (GBDA '20, MBET '21) chose the Conrad School's Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program to strengthen her business skills and grow her venture.
Today, as Founder, CEO and Creative Director of New Valley Brand House, Emma combines creativity, strategy and entrepreneurship to help organizations build meaningful brands. Her story highlights the value of diverse perspectives in entrepreneurship and how MBET empowers founders from all academic backgrounds to turn their ideas into lasting impact.
"MBET won't make entrepreneurship easy, but it will give you the tools to make it possible."
Blog
Returning to Waterloo, Rebuilding Momentum
A decade after graduating from the University of Waterloo's Systems Design Engineering program and discovering entrepreneurship through the Conrad School, MBET student James Cheng returned to the university to build a new venture—and found a community, opportunity, and renewed sense of momentum.
Building an immigration engine for high achievers
At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, MBET students apply structured frameworks to turn experience into disciplined venture building. For Joshua, this meant integrating validation, customer discovery, and market insight into every stage of his process—strengthening both his decision-making and confidence as a founder.
Through the program’s hands-on learning, direct faculty feedback, and collaborative community, Joshua advanced BaseLeaf, a SaaS platform simplifying immigration for high achievers. Now live with paying customers and focused on U.S. merit-based pathways, the venture is preparing to scale as part of the Velocity Summer 2026 cohort.
From Cali to Waterloo: finding my "why" in business
MBET student Andres Felipe Toro shares his journey from Colombia to Canada, shaped by diverse experiences across sectors and countries.
Drawn to entrepreneurship as a tool for meaningful change, he is focused on building ventures at the intersection of sustainability, social impact, and viable business. Currently, he is exploring solutions in affordable and transitional housing.
Through the MBET program, he has strengthened his ability to test ideas rigorously while embracing uncertainty as part of the process, all within a diverse community that challenges assumptions and sharpens thinking.
Events
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning September 23rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of PSE, outside the C&D, from 3-5 pm for a chat and to connect.
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning September 23rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of PSE, outside the C&D, from 3-5 pm for a chat and to connect.