UW Problem Lab

Interesting in hearing important problems facing today’s world? 🌎

Register for the Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Finals to watch 6 teams present their analysis of important commercial problems affecting industries and consumers. Tune in on July 26th @ 7pm to hear a range of topics ranging from renewable energy and agriculture challenges to consumer information and data problems.

Register for the virtual event and prepare for deep dives into important problems and opportunities for innovation.

➡️ Check the link in our bio for finalist information and to register for the event 🔗

Applications to the Spring 2021 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch are now open!

The Problem Pitch invites students to think deeply about important problems affecting companies and industries and pitch their analysis for a chance to win funding to develop a solution. This semester each finalist will receive a minimum of $2,000 in R&D funding and the winning team will receive $7,500.

3️⃣ easy steps to building a stellar application

👉 Check out the Problem Lab website and FAQ for competition info

👉 Get feedback on your topic, research tips and ask questions by booking a 1:1 with a member of the Problem Lab before apps close

👉 Research your problem with a team (or on your own) and submit your Problem Pitch application before midnight on May 30th

For more information, resources and to connect with the Problem Lab, check out the link in our bio 🔗

Introducing the esteemed judges for the Quantum Valley Investments® Billion Dollar Problem Stream

The impressive professionals will be evaluating the 6 finalists competing for $7,500 in funding tonight!

Tricia Mumby spent many years working in digital printing at UW and had an understanding of the technology required to print quality products as efficiently as possible. Today, Mabel’s Labels prints millions of labels every year and is recognized as a leader in social marketing, user experience and customer service.

Vlado Jokic’s years of startup, consulting and corporate innovation experience have developed a keen eye for finding gaps in our understanding of important problems. His notable experience includes modernizing operations of a century-old business, designing digital distribution solutions for the film industry in the pre-YouTube days, streamlining professional sports operations (NBA, NHL, NFL), and working on innovation in Canadian Digital ID and Open Banking space. 

Don’t miss your chance to see the first set of finalists in the Billion Dollar Problem Stream tonight!

Check out the link in our bio to register

Are you looking for team members or co-founders for your next business idea/side project? Want to browse through club openings to gain more relevant experience? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re in luck! The team behind UW Entrepreneurship Society has created Project Janus to make it easier for you to collaborate with fellow UW students—whether you’re looking for a project, or a team to start one.

entsoc.ca/janus

If you want a great career, you need to stand out from the crowd. 

That’s where the Zero Experience, a student program offered by the Problem Lab, comes into play. You’ll build a network of experts to support you, research problems affecting millions of people, and develop skills to support your career. The program offers a guided experience to help you tap into your innovation potential to become more employable, we’d be excited to welcome you.

The program offers a weekly workshop every Monday evening. Workshops are fast paced and full of team projects, unique life insights, Q&As with industry leaders, and more.

The pandemic has made building a career, meeting new friends, and capitalizing on university far more difficult. We want to give you the tools to build something incredible out of yourself and your ideas, along with a chance to build deep, new connections with like-minded peers.

Check out the link in our bio to learn more about Zero Experience and the program application. No matter what faculty, year, or background you come from, we want you to apply. The deadline is January 15th. We’re really looking forward to meeting you!

We're happy to announce the winners of the Fall 2020 Problem Pitch have been selected! 🏆

Congratulations to the winning teams on their well-deserved accomplishments.

-Emre: Healthcare systems that support refugees and displaced people have not advanced in decades, making it nearly impossible to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

-Masque: Current masks used for personal protective equipment (PPE). in healthcare settings are too irritating, improperly sized and hot for all day usage.

-Firewatch: As the climate warms, wildfires are evolving into unmanageable climate emergencies that destroy the land we live on and seek sustenance from.

To learn more about the student teams and the problems they pitched, check out the news on our website (LINK IN BIO).

# problempitch