As Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 kicks off, we’re highlighting 10 impressive entrepreneurs from the University of Waterloo – students and alumni who are breaking barriers, changing industries, and working toward a brighter future. These trailblazers are not just making an impact in their fields but are also paving the way for what’s next in society, health, technology, the economy, and sustainability.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global celebration of innovation, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also a moment to honor the daring thinkers and creators who turn concepts into real change.
We’re excited to showcase ventures that reflect Waterloo’s ongoing dedication to entrepreneurship aimed at inspiring global transformation through bold ideas and unwavering determination.
With a background in biotechnology research, Nicholas Cheng often questioned why sustainability appeared so expensive; this curiosity led him to think like an entrepreneur. Supported by Green House and Velocity – Waterloo’s entrepreneurship centers – Cheng launched Evolv, a company focused on providing advanced tech solutions tailored to solve specific challenges while adhering to industry best practices. Its leading project uses improved 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 explains.
Coming from a construction background with an Architectural Engineering degree from Waterloo, Charlie Frise realized that one way to address the housing supply crisis was through scalable manufacturing of homes that could be assembled quickly with their own utilities. This inspired him to partner with others who shared his vision to create Tinybox – a groundbreaking company utilizing aerospace technology to build homes in as little as 48 hours-anywhere desired. “I’m leveraging my skills as an architectural engineer to promote our innovative building system,” he says. “Tinybox delivered its first seven homes in 2025 and is preparing for more deliveries in 2026 along with a new two-bedroom home model.”
While volunteering at hospitals and long-term care facilities, Christy Lee noticed how much room there was for improvement in current communication systems used for managing patient requests based on priority. This insight led her to develop Patient Companion – an easy-to-use app enabling patients to express their needs clearly using icons or voice-to-text features. This innovative tool enhances patient-nurse communication by ensuring nurses receive prioritized alerts on their devices so they can manage patient requests effectively. After pilot programs at Brightshores Health System and Waterloo Regional Health Network showed success, Patient Companion has been adopted by Brightshores as part of existing workflows-improving care quality while enhancing nurse retention without compromising privacy compliance.
During his Ph D studies at the University of Waterloo focusing on quantum technologies applications, Dr. Sadegh Raeisi co-founded Foqus Technologies in 2021-a company revolutionizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by reducing scan times from over 45 minutes down to five minutes. Using quantum algorithms alongside machine learning advancements enhances MRI capabilities significantly which improves access by increasing throughput while cutting down average wait times-which typically reach around 90 days across Canada-for medical imaging services available now validated through pilot studies approved by radiologists alongside having received FDA clearance along with Health Canada approval for commercialization efforts throughout both U. S & Canadian markets.
Pursuing his Ph D in nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo shaped Rishard Rameez’s perspective towards using technology practically addressing real-life issues resulting ultimately guiding him into co-founding Zown-an AI-powered real estate platform looking disrupt traditional brokerage practices placing homebuyer interests upfront within its agenda! Leveraging academic insights applied analytical rigor creating affordable transparent alternatives within housing markets reflects entrepreneurial spirit culture fostered through experiences gained during time spent studying nearby institutions earning listings recognition such as Time Magazine Best Inventions list comprised presently facilitating over $300 million worth transaction value recorded assisting upwards exceeding beyond simply renting helping more than 500 individuals transition themselves toward ownership! Furthermore expect annual revenue levels totaling around $14 million anticipated reaching conclusion upcoming fiscal year ahead!
Tired waiting long periods see psychotherapists receive adequate attention support himself drove Rastin Rassoli forward innovating Doro-a mental wellness chatbot designed offer practical accessible help just $26 monthly subscription rate where traditional therapy sessions charge roughly upwards hundred dollars per hour combining advanced computer science techniques psychology research delivering assistance those battling mild moderate anxiety stress low moods promptly via conversational AI tailored activities personalize immediate outputs results since officially launching during year twenty-twenty-five Velocity startup had implemented partnerships including University Campuses Wellness alongside thirty mental health clinics spanning across Ontario Alberta!
Around four million Canadians live silently suffering kidney disease frequently detected late stages requiring dialysis complicated treatment options pursued Mazhar Shahen driving passion ensure equitable healthcare co-found New Gen Health aim make routine monitoring simpler human-centered design saying: “We’re modernizing decades-old dipstick method transforming it automated digital solution empowering patients initiate testing granting clinicians instant insights allowing quality care remains accessible even remote communities!” backed support organization Velocity winning multiple pitch competitions securing patents currently scaling production process toward delivery objectives achievable soon!
Brought up Ghana Kwaku Twum commenced career collaborating European agribusinesses acquiring farmland industrial use sourcing crops local farmers exploitative middlemen observing firsthand dire outcomes opaque cash-based systems left growers struggling earn measly two-thousand-dollars annually whilst multinational food corporations racked profits billions determined enact positive change established Mapkot digital platform connecting international food companies directly smallholder farmers Africa substituting cash transactions transparent data-driven framework empowering cultivators negotiate fairer prices participate equitably global value chains advancing sustainable livelihoods overall benefitting all parties involved!
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 struggles. With backing from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Enterprise Co-op program, she founded Be Blended – an online platform that connects clients with freelance hairstylists trained in Afro-curly hair care. The service also simplifies business tasks for stylists by managing scheduling, payments, client relations, and bookkeeping. So far, Be Blended has enabled thousands of transactions while supporting over 1,500 clients and 150 stylists across Canada and has plans for global growth.
Nicholas Cheng (MSc ’25): Evolv
With a background in biotechnology research, Nicholas Cheng often questioned why sustainability appeared so expensive; this curiosity led him to think like an entrepreneur. Supported by Green House and Velocity – Waterloo’s entrepreneurship centers – Cheng launched Evolv, a company focused on providing advanced tech solutions tailored to solve specific challenges while adhering to industry best practices. Its leading project uses improved 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 explains.
Charlie Frise (BASc ’23): Tiny Box
Coming from a construction background with an Architectural Engineering degree from Waterloo, Charlie Frise realized that one way to address the housing supply crisis was through scalable manufacturing of homes that could be assembled quickly with their own utilities. This inspired him to partner with others who shared his vision to create Tinybox – a groundbreaking company utilizing aerospace technology to build homes in as little as 48 hours-anywhere desired. “I’m leveraging my skills as an architectural engineer to promote our innovative building system,” he says. “Tinybox delivered its first seven homes in 2025 and is preparing for more deliveries in 2026 along with a new two-bedroom home model.”
Christy Lee (BASc ’24): Patient Companion
While volunteering at hospitals and long-term care facilities, Christy Lee noticed how much room there was for improvement in current communication systems used for managing patient requests based on priority. This insight led her to develop Patient Companion – an easy-to-use app enabling patients to express their needs clearly using icons or voice-to-text features. This innovative tool enhances patient-nurse communication by ensuring nurses receive prioritized alerts on their devices so they can manage patient requests effectively. After pilot programs at Brightshores Health System and Waterloo Regional Health Network showed success, Patient Companion has been adopted by Brightshores as part of existing workflows-improving care quality while enhancing nurse retention without compromising privacy compliance.
Dr. Sadegh Raeisi (Ph D ’14): Foqus Technologies
During his Ph D studies at the University of Waterloo focusing on quantum technologies applications, Dr. Sadegh Raeisi co-founded Foqus Technologies in 2021-a company revolutionizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by reducing scan times from over 45 minutes down to five minutes. Using quantum algorithms alongside machine learning advancements enhances MRI capabilities significantly which improves access by increasing throughput while cutting down average wait times-which typically reach around 90 days across Canada-for medical imaging services available now validated through pilot studies approved by radiologists alongside having received FDA clearance along with Health Canada approval for commercialization efforts throughout both U. S & Canadian markets.
Rishard Rameez: Zown
Pursuing his Ph D in nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo shaped Rishard Rameez’s perspective towards using technology practically addressing real-life issues resulting ultimately guiding him into co-founding Zown-an AI-powered real estate platform looking disrupt traditional brokerage practices placing homebuyer interests upfront within its agenda! Leveraging academic insights applied analytical rigor creating affordable transparent alternatives within housing markets reflects entrepreneurial spirit culture fostered through experiences gained during time spent studying nearby institutions earning listings recognition such as Time Magazine Best Inventions list comprised presently facilitating over $300 million worth transaction value recorded assisting upwards exceeding beyond simply renting helping more than 500 individuals transition themselves toward ownership! Furthermore expect annual revenue levels totaling around $14 million anticipated reaching conclusion upcoming fiscal year ahead!
![Rastin Rassoli]()
Rastin Rassoli (BCS in progress): Doro
Tired waiting long periods see psychotherapists receive adequate attention support himself drove Rastin Rassoli forward innovating Doro-a mental wellness chatbot designed offer practical accessible help just $26 monthly subscription rate where traditional therapy sessions charge roughly upwards hundred dollars per hour combining advanced computer science techniques psychology research delivering assistance those battling mild moderate anxiety stress low moods promptly via conversational AI tailored activities personalize immediate outputs results since officially launching during year twenty-twenty-five Velocity startup had implemented partnerships including University Campuses Wellness alongside thirty mental health clinics spanning across Ontario Alberta!
Mazhar Shahen (BSc ’22 , MASc in progress): New Gen Health
Around four million Canadians live silently suffering kidney disease frequently detected late stages requiring dialysis complicated treatment options pursued Mazhar Shahen driving passion ensure equitable healthcare co-found New Gen Health aim make routine monitoring simpler human-centered design saying: “We’re modernizing decades-old dipstick method transforming it automated digital solution empowering patients initiate testing granting clinicians instant insights allowing quality care remains accessible even remote communities!” backed support organization Velocity winning multiple pitch competitions securing patents currently scaling production process toward delivery objectives achievable soon!
Kwaku Twum (Ph D in progress): Mapkot
Brought up Ghana Kwaku Twum commenced career collaborating European agribusinesses acquiring farmland industrial use sourcing crops local farmers exploitative middlemen observing firsthand dire outcomes opaque cash-based systems left growers struggling earn measly two-thousand-dollars annually whilst multinational food corporations racked profits billions determined enact positive change established Mapkot digital platform connecting international food companies directly smallholder farmers Africa substituting cash transactions transparent data-driven framework empowering cultivators negotiate fairer prices participate equitably global value chains advancing sustainable livelihoods overall benefitting all parties involved!
Naimah Venezia (GBDA ’25): Coin Wa
Naimah Venezia discovered early-on passion finance reading Rich Dad Poor Dad grade one later starting handmade jewelry business age seven noticing friends lacked financial literacy took initiative rectify gap leading founding Coin Wa gamified application geared teaching teens essential money management skills before adulthood explaining basics budgeting saving credit investing engaging ways bite-sized modules rewarding interactive challenges-she notes “Coin Wa covers core concepts like budgeting saving credit investing through bite-sized modules challenges rewards feels more like game lesson makes fun enjoyable experience!”
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