This week marked an exciting start to the semester for entrepreneurship and innovation at UW–Madison. The UW Entrepreneurship Kickoff brought together students, faculty, and partners from across campus — and the turnout was incredible. The packed space reflected not only the energy of students ready to dive into new ventures, but also the growing momentum of UW’s innovation ecosystem.
The Tech Exploration Lab was proud to be part of the program, sharing our role as UW’s launchpad for early-stage tech exploration, venture pathways, and industry + alumni connections. We believe innovation starts here — with curiosity, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial mindset to test ideas.
Following the Kickoff, we hosted an after-party and pizza social for ecosystem leaders, founders, and partners. It was a chance to connect informally, spark new collaborations, and celebrate the shared commitment to building an inclusive, forward-looking innovation community.
What’s Ahead This Fall
The energy from this week is just the beginning. At the Tech Exploration Lab, we’re rolling out a full slate of opportunities for students to experiment, collaborate, and build:
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Open Labs & Build Nights for hands-on experimentation
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Innovation Fellows Program – student teams tackling real-world industry and Lab projects
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Venture Build – pairing student founders with MBA students to test market fit and business models
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Digital Health Challenge (Brain Health) – warm-up activities this fall, full launch in spring
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Workshops with Google, AWS, Cursor and other partners – practical, cutting-edge learning experiences
How to Get Involved
Students can apply to programs by September 15 to join a team or propose their own project. And don’t miss the Lab Kickoff on September 18 (4:30–6:00 p.m. at 1403 University) — the best opportunity to get matched to projects and meet collaborators.
We’re excited to see what ideas emerge this semester and how our community continues to shape the future of innovation at UW.