Project-based

Project details

Institutional revenue portal — software development

ObserIQ is a cybersecurity education organization building a multi-tenant web portal to serve institutional clients across Canada. As part of a development team, you will contribute to one of four specialized tracks: front-end portal development, back-end API architecture, UX and accessibility engineering, or QA and security testing.

This placement is ideal for students in software development, web design, or cybersecurity with an interest in building production-ready software for a real client.

Pilot outreach, partnership, and sales automation

Helprr Trades is a workforce wellness platform preparing for a pilot launch with employers in trades, construction, and utilities. As part of a team, you will build a CRM-based outreach system, develop a qualified lead pipeline, create email and LinkedIn campaign materials, and produce a 30-day social media content calendar.

This execution-focused placement is ideal for students interested in sales operations, marketing automation, and B2B business development.

Go-to-market strategy

forty-one words is a marketing agency specializing in supporting small and medium-sized non-profit organizations in Waterloo Region. As part of a team, you will conduct competitive and market research, develop customer personas, map the client journey, and create a go-to-market strategy that includes outreach scripts and channel recommendations.

This placement is ideal for students in marketing, business strategy, or communications with an interest in the non-profit sector.

SaaS sales and business development

ContractApp is a SaaS platform that helps service-based businesses manage contracts and client relationships. As part of a project-based team, you will learn the platform, build prospect lists, conduct outbound sales outreach, and track leads using CRM tools.

This placement is ideal for students interested in sales, business development, and SaaS go-to-market strategy who are comfortable with outreach and have strong communication skills.

Go-to-market strategy and beta launch preparation

Rental District is preparing for a beta launch and needs a cross-functional team to build its commercial foundation. As part of a team, you will contribute to one of four roles: customer acquisition and CRM development, website copy and conversion optimization, content marketing and social media, or customer success and onboarding documentation.

This placement is ideal for students in marketing, business, or communications who want hands-on experience preparing a real startup for launch.

3D modelling and texturing

SATurn is a 3D Unity app and digital audio workstation where users create music in virtual sandbox environments. As part of a 3D modelling team, you will design and texture terrain, skybox, and main menu assets for the application using human creativity — no AI-generated content. Each student’s work will be reviewed weekly by the founder, with ongoing feedback.

This placement is ideal for students with experience and an interest in 3D modelling, texturing, and game asset creation.

Market research for novel women’s health product

BioSnactive Foods Inc. is developing a novel women’s health product — chocolate formulated to support menopause — and needs a comprehensive market research study to assess its commercial viability in Canada. As part of a team, you will conduct secondary research, design and distribute a consumer survey, analyze competitive positioning, and produce a market research report with commercialization recommendations.

This placement is ideal for students in marketing, business, or health sciences with an interest in consumer research and product-market fit.

Canadian data centre mapping project

Small Change Fund is building an activist-oriented data centre map to help community organizers and residents understand the environmental and political impacts of data infrastructure across Canada. As part of a team, you will research and verify data centre sites across Canada, develop contextual information for each location, build a content library of relevant news and research, and monitor ongoing developments.

This placement is ideal for students interested in data research, environmental advocacy, or digital mapping.

Brand identity and customer persona development

Mobility Nexus is an early-stage startup developing a brand identity and customer strategy from the ground up. As part of a project team, you will conduct market research, reach out to and interview five to 10 ideal customers, synthesize findings into validated customer personas, and develop a core brand messaging and identity framework. Students will use AI tools to support research and synthesis.

This placement is ideal for students in marketing, communications, or business with an interest in brand strategy and customer discovery.

Lead generation and sales strategy

Walters & Associates is a boutique business consulting firm specializing in leadership, operations, and sales for small and medium-sized businesses. As part of a team, you will research and build a list of 200 warm leads across the Kitchener-Waterloo and Burlington markets, develop messaging and channel strategies for reaching business owners, and create marketing asset samples aligned with the firm’s ideal client profile.

This placement is ideal for students in marketing, business development, or sales.