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Innovation Lab

Logo for Innovation Lab

Innovate Solutions. Build in Community. Gain Traction.

The Innovation Lab empowers student innovators and entrepreneurs to explore ideas, validate real-world problems, and begin their entrepreneurial journey with support, structure, and community.

Apply now to join Forum III

What Is The Innovation Lab?

A venture building lab and incubator supporting student ventures in getting to their next major milestone in half the time. The Innovation Lab process cuts the time to launch in half by guiding teams through market hypothesis testing, speeding up learnings in the market, and accelerating the path to traction.

In this hands-on immersive experience, you’ll:

  • Learn how to validate your idea using lean startup principles
  • Get coaching from experienced mentors
  • Build a prototype or early MVP
  • Engage in pitch practice and storytelling
  • Join a community of student builders and problem-solvers
  • Gain new skills and professional development

Our Process:

  • Milestone-based progression. Each phase includes clear milestones to met before advancing, keeping founders focused and accountable.
  • Iterative validation. Regular checkpoints to refine strategy based on real-world feedback, ensuring they’re gaining the traction they need.
  • Funding/Investor readiness. Through our process, startups have a validated business model, key traction metrics, and a compelling pitch for pitch competitions early financing.

Team Nite-Op pitching at the University-wide Innovation Competition
Team Nite-Op pitching at the University-wide Innovation Competition. Nitre-Op is a hardware and software solution focused on Nitrogen Fertilizer Optimization to Prevent Runoff.

Who Should Apply?

Learn the top tools for getting started. Apply them right away.

The Innovation Lab is for you if you’re a student innovator or entrepreneur who:

  • Has an idea for a product, app, service, or solution
  • Wants to make a positive impact on campus or in your community
  • Is curious about startups, innovation, or entrepreneurship
  • Seeks hands-on experience that complements your coursework

Open to students from all majors. Both solo founders and teams are welcome.

Apply now to join Forum III

Ricky Bailey and Andrew Solbjor pitching HeadShotX
Ricky Bailey and Andrew Solbjor pitch HeadShotX. They are building the first smart headgear that monitors impact in real time and uses AI to alert fighters before they reach dangerous thresholds.

What You'll Learn and Do

Build your startup and grow yourself.

The Innovation Lab helps you develop practical, transferable skills in:

  • Customer discovery
  • Problem validation
  • Value proposition design
  • Business modeling
  • Prototyping
  • Presentation and pitching

You’ll leave with a clearer sense of direction, a startup toolkit, and a network of mentors and peers.

Ritchie Martinez pitches at AngelCon
Ritchie Martinez pitches SentrySight at AngelCon. SentrySight is an AI prediction/monitoring system to prevent gun violence.

Program Structure and Timeline

Flexible. Focused. Action-Oriented

  • Duration: Rolling forum the next forum opens this Fall at the beginning of the semester
  • Format: In-person sessions, workshops, and 1:1 mentoring
  • Location: Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Final Showcase: Pitch your progress to peers, mentors, and guests

We accept applications on a rolling basis and have Forum sessions throughout the semester and summer. Priority given to early applicants.

Apply now to join Forum III

Gabriel Sigala pitches at Kings Capitalize
Gabriel Sigala pitches SplashTech at Kings Capitalize. Splash Technologies is automating pool chemical testing.

Innovation Lab Ventures

Venture logos from Innovation Lab Forums I & II