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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

University of Waterloo

BASF and University of Waterloo Partner to Advance AI Innovation

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BASF and the University of Waterloo’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Institute (Waterloo.AI) have signed a three-year research agreement to develop advanced AI applications from 2025 to 2028. The partnership will focus on root cause analysis, optimization, and forecasting to improve BASF’s global operations.

Waterloo students and researchers will contribute to AI advancements while gaining hands-on industry experience. The BASF AI Innovation Center will serve as the collaboration hub, aligning research with real-world challenges across production, R&D, and supply chain management. The initiative also supports Canada’s role as a leader in digital and AI innovation.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Globe Newswire.

Waterloo Cancels Computing Competition Results After AI Cheating

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The University of Waterloo has canceled the release of 2025 Canadian Computing Competition results after widespread cheating using AI tools. Officials said many students submitted code they didn’t write themselves, violating contest rules. The CCC is crucial for admissions into Waterloo’s competitive STEM programs and for landing tech internships.

Students, including Juan Marulanda De Los Rios and Jayden Shin, said AI tools like GitHub Copilot made cheating easier. Waterloo plans tougher security for future contests. Grade 12 students face the toughest impact, losing a key credential for university and job applications.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

40% of Shopify’s Interns Come From University of Waterloo

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Tobias Lütke, CEO and co-founder of Shopify, praised the University of Waterloo’s talent pipeline during a fireside chat with university president Vivek Goel. Lütke revealed Shopify hires 40% of its interns from Waterloo, lauding its co-op students as among the best globally. He emphasized Canada’s potential to lead in tech through domestic talent.

Waterloo’s co-op program links over 8,000 employers with students, enriching Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Shopify is now hiring for Fall 2025 Engineering & Data Internships, running September 2 to December 19. Applications open April 7.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techtalent.ca.

Kyndryl Partners with University of Waterloo for Cybersecurity Research

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Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, has announced a collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) at the University of Waterloo. The partnership aims to support research into data privacy and security, focusing on decentralized identity management, privacy-enhancing cryptography, and quantum-safe communication. These innovations are essential as technologies like AI and IoT increase the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.

Antoine Shagoury, Kyndryl’s CTO, emphasized the importance of academic partnerships, while CPI’s Dr. Anindya Sen highlighted the role of interdisciplinary research in addressing global cybersecurity challenges.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

University of Waterloo Ranks First in Canada for Producing Entrepreneurs

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The University of Waterloo (UW) continues to lead in producing successful entrepreneurs, ranking 21st globally and first in Canada in the 2024 PitchBook rankings. UW has produced 562 founders and 478 companies, generating $20 billion USD in capital.

The university’s engineering, computer science, and cooperative education programs are key to its success, according to Adrien Côté, executive director of UW’s startup incubator Velocity. UW is also ranked second in Canada for producing female founders. Velocity’s upcoming move to the Innovation Arena in Kitchener aims to enhance this success.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on CTV News.

University of Waterloo Tops Canadian Universities in Entrepreneurship

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The University of Waterloo has been named the top Canadian university for producing successful entrepreneurs with undergraduate degrees in the 2023 PitchBook university rankings.

Globally, Waterloo holds the 21st spot for founders, with 511 undergraduate-degree founders who have raised a staggering $23 billion. Additionally, the university ranks among the top 100 for graduate-degree founders, boasting 173 entrepreneurs who collectively secured $5.2 billion in capital.

Waterloo’s innovative programs, including Velocity, have nurtured talent, producing founders of unicorn companies like ApplyBoard and Instacart. The university’s commitment to entrepreneurship is further solidified with a $5 million investment in the Velocity Fund II.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Toronto-Waterloo Corridor Fosters Thriving Tech Ecosystem with Top Universities

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When it comes to computer science education, the QS University Rankings highlight the top institutions worldwide. Among the elite top 25 universities, renowned names like Stanford, Harvard, and MIT grace the list. Notably, the University of Waterloo proudly represents Canada, ranking fifth globally.

While institutions like Oxford and Stanford have limited computer science enrollments, with only a few hundred students, Waterloo stands out with nearly 5,000 undergraduate students enrolled in computer science and computer engineering programs.

Combined with the University of Toronto, these universities boast a total of over 8,000 computer science students, underscoring the strength of the thriving tech ecosystem in the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor.

Waterloo’s entrepreneurship programs and cooperative education opportunities further fuel its success as a talent hub.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techtalent.ca.

University of Waterloo Launches $5 Million VC Fund to Invest in Startups

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After 15 years of nurturing Canada’s top startups, the University of Waterloo is taking a new approach.

The university is utilizing $5 million from its $800 million endowment to establish a venture capital fund aimed at investing in early-stage companies, particularly those developed at UWaterloo.

The fund, called Velocity Fund II, will operate independently of the university and its startup accelerator, Velocity. It plans to raise a total of $25 million, with an initial closing in Q1 2024.

This marks the first time the university’s endowment will invest in venture capital, providing a source of revenue for its research activities. Want to know more?

Check out the source code on The Logic.