I think there are quite a number of reasons, and that it's a research project waiting to happen, but one is Waterloo attracts it based on the reputation of the institution. I think that exposing students to problems in the workplace, where they have the opportunity to see what's happening and they come up with ideas of problems they could solve, is one.
I think exposing them to peer groups who are thinking about the same kinds of things as they work through the courses is also a contributing factor to it.