Entrepreneurship news

Over the past two decades, U of T Engineering has spun out more than 100 new companies. Programs such as our Entrepreneurship Hatchery, our Engineering Business minor and our Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (Troost ILEAD) provide rich opportunities to commercialize research and grow startups into thriving businesses.

SymbI uses its self-driving lab to identify the best combination of microorganisms for breaking down organic waste and producing the ingredients required for a palm kernel oil alternative. (photo courtesy of SymBL Innovations)

AC-U of T startup converts organic waste into high-value bioproducts

Backed by the Acceleration Consortium, SymBL Innovations uses AI-designed microbiomes to develop palm kernel oil alternative

Left to right: Alumnus Nan Ge (MechE 1T3, MIE MASc 1T6, PhD 1T9) and Professor Aimy Bazylak (MIE) are the co-founders of Cardinal Volta. (photo by Paola Varhen Pacheco)

New commercialization funding will help this U of T Engineering startup turn waste heat into power

Cardinal Volta has been named the Stage 2 recipient of the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize

In March 2026, Sushant Singh (MSE MEng 1T9, MIE PhD 2T6) won the top overall prize at  U of T’s Desjardins Startup Prize competition. (photo by Tim Fraser, KITE Studio)

The future of wound healing: Desjardins Prize supports U of T bioprinting startup

“We’re not just building technology — we’re working to solve a deeply consequential problem for humanity.”

Drawing on experience in athletics, marketing, behavioural science and industry, Professor Alex Kaju (ISTEP) brings a practical approach to engineering education. (photo courtesy of Alex Kaju)

‘The goal is to bring the outside world into the classroom’: Meet Professor Alex Kaju

Kaju combines behavioural science, strategy, decision-making and entrepreneurship with technical education in the classroom

Computer and engineering innovations

From snake robots to clean energy: U of T announces Stage 1 recipients of Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize

The Continuum Robotics Lab and Cardinal Volta have secured stage one funding through the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize, accelerating the path from lab to market

Rahul Goel holding a prototype of a 3D printed Hadfield Rocket Engine in front of a "nordspace" logo, two flags and a rocket model

Reflections on giving with student, alumnus, entrepreneur and philanthropist Rahul Goel

Goel recently established his first student award, the Dipika Goel PhD Scholarship in Aerospace Studies

Dean Chris Yip

Introducing the Strategic Academic Plan: Q & A with Dean Yip

The Strategic Academic Plan provides a blueprint for the next five years

Two individuals speak with each other at the ISTEP event

ISTEP semiconductor industry panel highlights career opportunities for Canadian graduates

Rising demand for technology innovation is putting greater emphasis on education and upskilling for workforce development

Shoichet is sitting on blue stairs

‘If we in academia don’t go after the hardest challenges, nobody else will’: U of T researcher aims to do it all

Cell and tissue engineer Molly Shoichet (ChemE, BME) abandoned her plans to attend medical school, opting to focus on improving medicine itself