This summer, the UW Tech Exploration Lab piloted the AI Venture Discovery Program, designed to take promising student ideas from the spring semester and stress-test their potential for venture readiness. With dedicated mentors, Lab support, and our first-ever Feedback Salon, students had the opportunity to push their ideas further, gather real-world input, and experience the messy, exciting process of early-stage venture discovery.
We are proud of the creativity and determination our students showed in presenting their progress. Among the standout projects:
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Dermavision — AI-powered skin health analysis and personalized healthcare solutions.
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ARHAT+ — Market insights applied to UW–Madison research on AR-based accessibility assessments for aging at home.
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Ember AI — Predictive models for early wildfire risk detection.
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InventoryAutomate — AI and computer vision applied to smart retail inventory management.
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ARCA+ — Exploring pathways to translate UW–Madison AI + 3D research into real-world applications.
- Alzheimer’s Hub – app for supporting patients and caregivers.
- PersonaFlow – personal productivity AI tool.
What’s Next
The Venture Discovery summer program is just the beginning. As we expand this program, our goal is to help more early-stage ideas move into venture-ready mode—shaping the next generation of startups to emerge from UW–Madison.
Stay tuned as we continue to grow this work, and join us in celebrating the students, mentors, and partners who are making it possible.
Get Involved
Interested in being part of this journey? Whether you’re a student ready to test an idea, an alum eager to give back, or a company looking to explore innovation challenges, the UW Tech Exploration Lab welcomes your involvement. Reach out to learn more about mentoring opportunities, sponsorships, or project collaborations.