Work With Us
Run pilots. Test emerging technologies. Build what’s next with multidisciplinary talent at UW–Madison.
Staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven world requires fresh thinking, emerging technology insights, and access to forward-thinking talent. The UW Tech Exploration Lab (TEL) is your partner in innovation—bringing together students, alumni, and industry professionals to explore what’s next and bring bold ideas to life.
Why Work with TEL? We begin with real-world industry needs and activate student-led experimentation to explore promising use cases for technologies like AI, AR/VR, robotics, and IoT. Through guided exploration, industry-aligned learning experiences, and mentorship, we help companies surface ideas, test concepts, and connect with the next generation of innovators.
From concept to prototype, and from exploration to venture, the Lab enables fast, creative progress on challenges that matter. You don’t have to have it all figured out—we’ll help you shape and guide the process.
Ways to Engage
Here’s how you can collaborate with the Lab:
- Propose an industry project or challenge to explore with a student team – Companies can bring a focused problem for a student sprint, propose a challenge or hackathon for broad ideation, or co-design an ongoing co-lab to build a continuous pipeline of innovation and talent.
- Sponsor innovation by providing funding or technology resources for student experimentation
- Mentor student innovators and entrepreneurs, professionals serve as an Executive- or VC-in-Residence, or support programs. Learn more about the Lab’s Technology and Innovation Circle to plug into these kinds of opportunities.
- Join our events — come to networking mixers, salons, demo days, and other events.
Ready to Learn More? Contact: sandra.bradley@wisc.edu to learn how we can help you move from insight to impact.
For Students: Industry Innovation Projects:
Industry Innovation Projects connect students with real-world challenges brought in by corporate and campus partners. We have both paid and volunteer roles that explore emerging technologies, translate business problems into experiments, and help move ideas from concept to evidence. For Students: Apply to work on industry projects and other Lab programs this spring.