The UW Tech Exploration Lab is where students from every discipline come to explore, build, and launch bold ideas. This fall, there are many ways to get involved depending on your interests and goals. And, yes, you can join more than one thing.
Self-directed Innovation
Choose your Adventure: Jump into hackathons, sandbox sessions, and themed explorations where you can test out new tools, pilot ideas, and learn by doing. You can just show up, bring your curiosity, and get hands-on experience. Or, propose your own idea or project to explore. Spots are limited. Submit proposals by September 15.
Venture Build
Already have an idea, prototype, or MVP? Venture Build is a structured sprint (Sept 30 – Dec 3) where technical teams are paired with MBA students from the School of Business’ New Product Development course. Together, you’ll refine your value proposition, test with real users, and develop a go-to-market strategy.
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Best for teams that want to move from prototype to venture-ready concept.
Apply by September 15 for Venture Build.
Innovation Fellow Program
Join the Lab’s competitive Innovation Fellows cohort and be part of our core student team driving innovation. Fellows work on Lab projects, industry collaborations, and venture experiments.
Two tracks are available:
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Volunteer Fellows – flexible, exploratory, 1–7 hrs/week
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Industry Fellows (Paid) – stipend-supported, 5–10 hrs/week tied to defined deliverables
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Best for students seeking broad exposure to innovation, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and industry mentorship.
Apply by September 15 for the Innovation Fellow Program.
Douglas D. Bradley Digital Health Challenge
In Spring 2026, work with mentors and industry experts to explore how emerging technologies and AI can transform brain health, longevity, and aging. Teams tackle real-world use cases with high social impact and compete for cash prizes.
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Open to students in tech, business, health, design, and beyond.
Register now for the Digital Health Challenge to be notified of pre-Challenge warm-events and other updates.
Weekly Sessions + Showcase
Anyone can take part in weekly Open Labs and sessions featuring workshops, speakers, and team time.
The semester culminates in the Fall Showcase & Demo Night on December 3, an expo-style event for students, alumni, and industry partners.
Who Can Get Involved
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Open to undergrads, grad students, and postdocs from any major.
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No prior experience required — just curiosity, creativity, and commitment.
Questions? Contact sandra.bradley@wisc.edu