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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Innovation Lab Ventures
Success Stories
SentrySight: AI for Safer Schools
At Sacramento State, five visionary Computer Science students came together with a shared passion for innovation and purpose. With no set idea in mind, the team entered the inaugural AI Hackathon in March 2024, fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to creating real-world impact.
Instead of designing a game or a profit-driven app, these ECS students—set their sights on a pressing societal issue: school safety. Through intensive brainstorming and coding sessions, the team conceived SentrySight, a groundbreaking AI-powered system designed to proactively detect early warning signs of potential threats in educational settings.
Their concept wasn’t just about innovation—it was about prevention. SentrySight aims to support safer learning environments by using artificial intelligence to identify and respond to behavioral indicators before tragedy strikes.
In April 2024, the team pitched their concept with passion and purpose at the AI Hackathon, earning 1st Place for their compelling solution and thoughtful approach.
SentrySight Team Members
- Huy Dao
- Ritchie Martinez
- Enrique De La Torre
- Gavin Garcia
SentrySight Accomplishments to Date
- $10,000 – e-Fest®: The Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge (National Undergraduate Pitch Competition, Minnesota)
- $31,000 – CSU Startup Launch Competition (CSU Dominguez Hills)
- $1,000 – University-wide Innovation Competition
- $750 – Carlsen Center Inaugural Hackathon
These student innovators exemplify the transformative power of a growth mindset—showing that with creativity, technical skill, and a heart for service, Sac State students can be powerful agents of change.
Splash Tech: Innovation in Sustainability
We’re thrilled to see Gabriel Sigala and Team Splash Tech featured in the Sacramento Business Journal for their continued momentum and impact!
Splash Tech, a student-led venture developed through the Plasma accelerator at UC Davis and nurtured through the Carlsen Center’s Lean Innovator, Innovation Lab, and Traction Lab programs, is reshaping pool maintenance. Their automated water analytics device simplifies chemical testing, helping homeowners save time and reduce chemical waste—offering a tech-forward, sustainable solution to a common household need.
In May, Splash Tech earned the Energy & Sustainability Award at the 25th Annual UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition, taking home $12,500 and further cementing their reputation as a startup to watch.
Splash Tech Team Members
- Gabriel Sigala
- Jeremy Randall
- Rain Johnson
Splash Tech Achievements
- $12,500 – Winner UC Davis Big Band Energy & Sustainability Award
- $5,000 – 2nd Place, Sacramento Kings Capitalize Pitch Competition
- $2,000 – e-Fest®: The Schulze Innovation Challenge (Minnesota)
- $2,000 – University-wide Innovation Competition, Sac State
- $1,000 – NorCal AngelCon at the Growth Factory
- $500 – Sacramento State College of Business Pitch Competition
With over 50 customers pre-signed and a growing intercollegiate team bridging Sac State and UC Davis, Splash Tech is already making waves as they gear up for commercial launch.
Diversity Hires – Founders of GuLP
- Ben Duong
- Nicholas Eovva
- Long Huy Hoang Nguyen
- Brayan Mejia Nunez
- Umang Vadhar
The team behind GuLP—an innovative startup focused on supporting Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs)—has earned recognition and top honors across several competitions:
- $1,000 Award – 1st Place, Friends and Family Group at the Northern California Venture Conference in Redding, CA
- $5,000 Grand Prize – 1st Place, University-wide Innovation Competition
- Hornet Hacks 2.0
- $1,000 Overall Winner: Diversity Hires for developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device tailored for Gestalt Language Processors
- $500 Education Category Winner: Diversity Hires, honored again for their AAC innovation designed to empower GLPs
Their thoughtful approach and impactful technology continue to demonstrate the power of inclusive innovation.
Teams Gallery
Click on images to enlarge!
