10 Inspiring Entrepreneurs from Waterloo

As Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 kicks off, we’re highlighting 10 impressive entrepreneurs from the University of Waterloo – both students and alumni who are pushing boundaries, reshaping industries, and working towards a brighter future. These trailblazers are making significant strides in their fields and paving the way for advancements in society, health, technology, the economy, and sustainability.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global celebration of creativity, innovation, and the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also an opportunity to honor the bold thinkers and creators who turn ideas into real-world impact.

We’re excited to showcase ventures that reflect Waterloo’s strong dedication to entrepreneurship that drives global change through visionary thinking and unwavering determination.

Aileen Agada-Davidson (BASc ’21, MBET ’24): Be Blended

After being turned away from 15 hair salons because they lacked expertise with Afro-curly hair, Aileen Agada decided to tackle this issue for others facing similar difficulties. With help from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Enterprise Co-op program, she launched Be Blended – an online platform that connects clients with freelance hairstylists skilled in Afro-curly hair care. The platform also simplifies business processes for stylists by managing scheduling, payments, client relations, and bookkeeping. So far, Be Blended has facilitated thousands of transactions while supporting over 1,500 clients and 150 stylists across Canada with plans for international growth.

Nicholas Cheng (MSc ’25): Evolv

With a research background in biotechnology, Nicholas Cheng was curious about why sustainability often comes with high costs; this curiosity sparked his entrepreneurial mindset. Supported by Green House and Velocity – Waterloo’s entrepreneurship hubs – Cheng established Evolv, a company focused on providing advanced tech solutions tailored to meet their clients’ specific needs while adhering to industry standards. Their flagship initiative uses enhanced chemical methods to extract clean water from Alberta’s oil sands tailings ponds. “Evolv bridges the gap between financial and environmental responsibility so that corporations can meet consumer demands while saving the planet,” he states.

Charlie Frise (BASc ’23): Tiny Box

With experience in construction and a degree in Architectural Engineering from Waterloo, Charlie Frise understood that one way to tackle the housing supply crisis was through scalable manufacturing of homes designed for quick assembly complete with utilities. This insight led him to partner with like-minded individuals to create Tinybox – an innovative company using aerospace technology to construct homes within just 48 hours-anywhere you choose. “I’m leveraging my skills as an architectural engineer to promote our groundbreaking building system,” he shares. “Tinybox delivered its first seven units in 2025 and is preparing for more deliveries in 2026 including a new two-bedroom home model.”

Christy Lee (BASc ’24): Patient Companion

After volunteering at hospitals and long-term care facilities, Christy Lee realized that patient communication systems could be enhanced to prioritize requests effectively. This realization inspired her to develop Patient Companion – an easy-to-use app allowing patients to express their needs clearly through icons or voice-to-text features. The innovative patient-nurse communication tool ensures nurses receive prioritized alerts on their devices so they can manage patient needs efficiently. Following pilot projects at Brightshores Health System and Waterloo Regional Health Network, Patient Companion has been adopted by Brightshores as part of existing workflows improving care quality and nurse retention while ensuring privacy compliance.

Dr. Sadegh Raeisi (Ph D ’14): Foqus Technologies

During his Ph D at the University of Waterloo focusing on quantum technologies applications Dr. Sadegh Raeisi co-founded Foqus Technologies in 2021 – innovating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by reducing scan times drastically from over 45 minutes down to just five minutes. Using quantum algorithms alongside machine learning enhances MRI processes significantly increasing access for medical imaging by boosting MRI throughput which currently averages about 90-day waits in Canada for appointments. The initial software version has been successfully validated via pilot studies conducted by radiologists; it has received FDA clearance along with Health Canada approval for commercial use within both U. S. and Canadian markets.

Rishard Rameez: Zown

Pursuing a Ph D focused on nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo helped Rishard Rameez build a foundation aimed at harnessing technology towards solving real-world issues leading him eventually toward co-founding Zown-an AI-powered real estate platform designed primarily around prioritizing homebuyers’ interests disrupting traditional brokerage practices accordingly based upon his academic training applying analytical rigor combined under platform thinking creating affordable transparent alternatives present throughout housing markets today overall reflecting entrepreneurial spirit culture fostered firmly rooted within campus surroundings itself! Featured among Time Magazine Best Inventions list during early months spanning over $300 million worth transactions accomplished facilitating transitions made successfully amongst more than 500 renters shifting into homeowners now expanding operations beyond borders into U. S., projecting revenues reaching upwards toward $14 million before closing out year-end portion aligning nicely around December periods upcoming!

Rastin Rassoli (BCS in progress): Doro

After experiencing extensive waiting periods seeking psychotherapy treatments prompted Rastin Rassoli’s motivation behind creating Doro-a mental wellness chatbot designed specifically catering towards accessibility challenges found commonly facing individuals attempting gain therapeutic support without incurring costly expenses associated typically linked conventional sessions averaging around $100 per hour fees charged respectively. Doro offers affordable assistance priced just monthly subscription fee equating roughly $26 instead! By blending advanced computer science principles grounded sound psychological research methodologies explored previously , app helps those undergoing mild moderate anxiety stress depression feelings overall contributing immediate tailored resources personalized according unique situations faced directly impacting everyday lives positively ! Since launching officially back mid-way throughout earlier parts encompassing year twenty twenty-five launch initiatives underway supported by Velocity startup fundings collaborating closely together aligned strategically connected UW Campus Wellness programs recently extending outreach further than thirty mental health clinics across Ontario Alberta regions combined enhancing positive impacts noticeably felt locally already achieved thus far going forward !

Mazhar Shahen ( BSc ’22 , MASc underway ): New Gen Health

Nearly four million Canadians live unaware suffering kidney diseases often undetected until late stages requiring serious interventions potentially causing harmful effects resultingly overall affecting millions negatively trapped cycles necessitating dialysis procedures complicated processes navigating healthcare systems entirely thereby necessitating need address routinely screening accessible make better human-centered approach targeting issues faced broadly nationwide hence motivated Mazhar Shahen stepped up founding New Gen Health work simplifying modernizing decades-old dipstick testing into automated digital format enabling patients initiate own tests clinicians instant insights gained proactively intervention measures taken earlier potential health risks mitigated even remote areas underserved regionally! Backed heavily funded through Velocity startup competitions winning multiple awards securing patents filed additionally progressing scaling production capabilities built upon successes accrued thus far since inception following strategies alignment properly directed fostering potential large-scale implementation possibilities arise soon subsequently!

Kwaku Twum(Ph D underway): Mapkot

Born raised Ghana initially began career working European agribusinesses acquiring farmland purposefully industrialized sourcing crops local farmers exploitative middlemen witnessing firsthand opaque cash-based system preventing farmers earning barely two thousand dollars annually meanwhile multinational corporations reaped profits billions determined effectuate changes founded Mapkot-a digital platform bridging gaps connecting food companies international smallholder farmers Africa through replacing cash transactions utilizing transparent data-driven models empowering these growers negotiate fairer prices equitable participation global value chains ultimately uplifting entire communities seen transforming livelihoods consistently achieved sustainably moving forward together towards economic empowerment driven social justice ideals upheld prominently values instilled actively executed constantly striving achieve lasting impact intended manner across board collectively impacted community standards uplifted positively witnessed notably involved organizational frameworks promoting awareness grassroots levels ongoing collaborations maintained diligently observed collectively striving effectuate necessary changes positively benefiting all parties engaged holistically hereafter!

Naimah Venezia( GBDA’25 ): Coin Wa

Naimah Venezia developed passion finance early age reading Rich Dad Poor Dad grade one launched handmade jewelry business age seven noticed gap financial literacy peers addressed setting forth action plan support others knowledge base establishing Coin Wa gamified application educates teens essential money management skills adulthood includes topics budgeting saving credit investing delivered interactive ways presented bite-sized modules engaging challenges rewards incorporated enhance learning experiences considerably enjoyable participants much easier grasp information retained longer timeframes sustained efforts proving effective continuously refining educational approaches aiming maximize outreach target demographics reached along lines discussed proactively adapting services provided continuing evolve serve audience effectively meeting needs changing landscape rapidly evolving complexities surrounding finance today!

Source link