Collaborate with the UW Tech Exploration Lab
The UW Tech Exploration Lab is where companies come to explore what’s next.
We partner with forward-thinking organizations to tackle emerging technology challenges—whether you’re testing a new idea, exploring a prototype, or investigating the future of your industry.
Unlike traditional class-based projects, our Lab operates outside of the classroom. It’s extracurricular, cross-disciplinary, and on-demand. That means no semester constraints, no rigid timelines—just top student talent solving real problems in flexible, fast-moving formats.
Start with a Problem. We’ll Help Shape the Project.
All you need to get started is a problem worth exploring. Whether you’re facing a business challenge, experimenting with a new technology, or curious about how AI or spatial computing could create value, we’ll help you shape that idea into a student-ready engagement.
Use our Submit an Industry Project or Challenge Form—it only takes a few minutes. No detailed scope required.
We’ll help match you with a multidisciplinary student team and recommend the right structure—whether it’s a hackathon, 3-week sprint, or semester-long collaboration.
What You Can Expect
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Multidisciplinary teams: Students from CS, engineering, business, design, data science, and more
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Motivated, innovation-driven talent ready to solve real-world challenges
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Flexible formats: From early exploration to structured sprints or build-outs
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Emerging tech expertise: Projects in AI, AR/VR, blockchain, IoT, automation, and more
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Freemium-to-premium options: Explore shared learning or scope a focused engagement with high-value deliverables you can own
Example Projects by Sector
Healthcare & Wellness
How might we better support overwhelmed caregivers?
Partnered with a health tech innovator to prototype an AI-powered Cognitive Companion. Format: 3-week sprint → prototype + user feedback. (Tech: AI, NLP, UX Design)
Can wearable data power personalized wellness coaching?
Explored health insights from wearables to guide user behavior. Format: Semester-long project → insights + concept development. (Tech: IoT, AI, Data Visualization)
Retail, Consumer & Experience
How can in-store and online shopping feel more immersive?
Developed a 3D AR Try-On experience with a Fortune 100 retailer. Format: Hackathon → proof-of-concept demo. (Tech: XR, 3D Modeling, Computer Vision)
How might loyalty programs be more dynamic and personalized?
Designed a tokenized reward experience with gamification. Format: 3-week sprint → concept + wireframes. (Tech: AI, Blockchain, Mobile UX)
Manufacturing, Logistics & Safety
Can we predict and prevent workplace incidents?
Built a safety wearable prototype for real-time alerts. Format: 3-week sprint → concept validation + UI. (Tech: IoT, Edge Computing, Alert Systems)
Small Business & Entrepreneur Support
How can entrepreneurs get real-time guidance during uncertain times?
Co-developed an AI-powered business planning assistant. Format: 3–5 week sprint → testable interface. (Tech: AI, Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT Integration)
What if local founders could easily access all support resources?
Prototyped a Community Resource Navigator app. Format: Semester-long collaboration → UX research + clickable prototype. (Tech: Mobile Design, AI, Data Integration)
Finance, Data & Infrastructure
How can business leaders see trends in real time without complexity?
Designed a dashboard that visualizes KPIs for SMBs. Format: 2-week sprint → dashboard prototype. (Tech: Cloud, AI, Data Visualization)
Can financial tools be more accessible to non-technical users?
Created a voice-activated assistant for dashboard interaction. Format: Hackathon → proof-of-concept prototype. (Tech: NLP, AI, Voice Interfaces)
Startup & Innovation Strategy
How do we validate a bold new idea that bridges AI and 3D design?
Ran a sprint to prototype an AI-powered product configurator. Format: 4-week sprint → concept + demo. (Tech: Generative AI, XR, 3D Modeling)
How do we help early-stage teams move from idea to action fast?
Students built MVPs and pitched ventures in our guided Discovery Pilot. Format: Full semester → mentorship + prototype + pitch. (Tech: AI Tools, Figma, Customer Discovery)
Ready to Propose a Project?
You don’t need a perfect plan—just a challenge worth tackling.
Share a few details using our Submit an Industry Project or Challenge Form and we’ll take it from there.