UW Tech Exploration Lab

The Tech Exploration Lab

Where emerging technologies meet real-world problems.

We activate early-stage innovation and ventures at UW–Madison — connecting students, industry partners, researchers, and alumni around real problems, applied AI, and emerging technologies.

What We Do

We’re a front-end venture engine and campus-wide activation resource — not a classroom, an accelerator, or a consulting shop. We specialize in early-stage: the messy, high-potential space where curiosity becomes evidence and ideas become ventures worth backing.

We work in two directions: students bring ideas and we help them find out if they’re worth building. Industry partners, researchers, and faculty bring real problems and early-stage technologies and we activate student teams to explore, prototype, and assess what’s possible.

Everything culminates at Demo Night — our bi-annual showcase of student ventures, industry innovation, and research translation.

Who It’s For

Students Explore emerging technology, build an early venture, or work on real industry and research challenges. From Open Labs and Build Nights to the Venture Pathway and Applied Innovation projects — there’s a place for you here.
[Start Here →]

Industry Partners Bring a real problem, anchor a challenge or hackathon, or sponsor innovation. A low-risk way to explore what’s possible with AI and emerging technologies — with the student talent who will build what’s next.
[Work With Us →]

Researchers & Faculty Surface challenges in your domain and activate student teams to build toward solutions. Or bring early-stage research with commercial potential and let us help you explore whether it can go somewhere.
[Explore Research Translation →]

Alumni Mentor teams, bring a venture, join the Technology & Innovation Circle, or give to the Lab. Stay connected to what’s being built — and help shape what comes next.
[Get Involved →]

What People Are Saying

“Working on DermaVision through the Tech Exploration Lab has been one of my most meaningful experiences at UW–Madison. The Lab connected me with peers passionate about AI and healthcare, provided access to advanced tools and mentorship, and helped me turn an early idea into real progress. It’s more than a lab — it’s a launchpad.” — UW–Madison Student Innovator

“The Lab is unique in that it connects students from across campus with advanced tools and industry mentorship to rapidly prototype and gain essential skills for an increasingly AI-driven world. It’s exciting to watch entrepreneurial ideas develop, and there is significant value in bringing the best of Google’s AI to support students’ exploration.” — Kristin Storhoff, Google

“I came to the UW Tech Exploration Lab to mentor, but left with momentum. The Lab gave me the space — and the spark — to test a wellness idea I’d been quietly incubating. Working with sharp, driven students helped turn that early vision into a viable concept. It was a powerful reminder that innovation thrives on curiosity, collaboration, and a little Badger grit.” — UW Alum and Lab Mentor

About the UW Tech Exploration Lab

The Lab, led by the Wisconsin School of Business in collaboration with the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, is co-located with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub at 1403 University Ave. The Lab serves as a campus-wide activation resource for turning ideas and emerging technologies into real-world innovation and ventures.