Student Innovation on Display: Highlights from the Tech Exploration Lab Demo Night
On December 3, the Tech Exploration Lab hosted its Fall 2025 Student Demo Night at UW-Madison, bringing together student teams from Venture Build, Self-Directed Innovation, Industry Innovation, and Build Fest programs. The evening showcased creativity, technical talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation across UW–Madison.
Industry partners, alumni, and campus collaborators joined the event to meet student teams, ask questions, and offer feedback. A special thank-you to our industry judges — Tejvir Mann, Tim Nott, Frank Hansen, and Michael Szewczyk — for lending their expertise and insight.
Venture Build Awards
EverOS (Venture Build – 1st Place)
EverOS is a real-time AI orchestration platform for venue and security operators. It unifies video, audio, and sensor data to detect risks, reduce false alarms, and surface recommended actions instantly — improving situational awareness and public safety.
SeaPay (Venture Build – 2nd Place)
SeaPay is a blockchain-enabled payment solution that helps hotels and alternative lodging providers accept cryptocurrency directly on their websites. It lowers fees, simplifies chargebacks, and expands payment options for global travelers.
Self-Directed Innovation Awards
First Place — PersonaXR
PersonaXR uses AI-powered virtual standardized patients in extended reality environments to help medical students practice clinical communication and decision-making.
Second Place — Bucky Match
Bucky Match is an intelligent platform for validating major requirements and making navigation of a four-year degree program easy.
The Energy in the Room
Throughout the evening, students demonstrated prototypes, shared research insights, and walked guests through their thought processes, challenges, and breakthroughs. Judges and attendees consistently remarked on the clarity, creativity, and ambition behind the work.
Demo Night also highlighted the diversity of ideas students are exploring — spanning AI, robotics, digital health, XR, blockchain, sustainability, and campus-facing tools.
Congratulations to All Participating Teams
Your curiosity, commitment, and courage to build are shaping the future of innovation at UW–Madison. We’re excited to support your continued exploration through the Lab’s Venture Discovery, Venture Build, Self-Directed Innovation, and industry challenge programs.
Looking Ahead
With the rapid acceleration of AI and emerging technologies, spaces like the Tech Exploration Lab are becoming essential. Demo Night reflects the Lab’s mission perfectly:
to give students a place to experiment, collaborate, and turn bold ideas into reality.
We look forward to seeing what this talent builds next.