UW Tech Exploration Lab
A launchpad for applied AI, venture discovery, and real-world innovation.

Industry Innovation

Industry Innovation

Where students tackle real-world problems with companies shaping the future of AI and emerging tech.

The Industry Innovation track connects companies with multidisciplinary student teams who explore applied challenges in AI, XR, IoT, and other emerging technologies.

How Industry Projects Work

Each semester, the Lab selects a small number of high-impact challenges submitted by companies or partners. Student teams apply innovation methods, rapid prototyping, and responsible AI frameworks to explore practical solutions.

Teams may:

  • Run guided experiments or early prototypes

  • Evaluate feasibility and opportunity areas

  • Deliver insights, concepts, and recommended next steps

  • Work directly with industry mentors and stakeholders

These projects are ideal for organizations looking to test new ideas, explore emerging technologies, or gain fresh perspectives from student innovators.

Contact us to discuss partnership or Submit a project idea.

Digital Health Challenge

A signature industry-anchored sprint focused on digital health, preventive medicine, and applied AI in care, wellness, and diagnostics.

Students work on real challenges defined by partners and domain experts.
Deliverables include insights, prototypes, and opportunity framing.

[Learn more →]

Who Should Collaborate

Industry partners who want to:

  • Explore use cases in AI and other emerging technologies

  • Test early ideas or technologies

  • Evaluate user needs and feasibility

  • Engage with talented student innovators

  • Build relationships with UW–Madison’s emerging tech ecosystem

Benefits to Partners

  • Fresh thinking and rapid experimentation

  • Applied insights grounded in research and user needs

  • Access to multidimensional student talent

  • Low-risk environment to explore innovation

  • Connection to UW’s Responsible AI practices

Student Experience

Industry projects give students a chance to:

  • Work on real challenges with real stakeholders

  • Apply emerging tech methods in practical contexts

  • Strengthen skills in research, prototyping, and communication

  • Build industry connections and gain portfolio-ready experience