Unleashing innovation: UC's Lab2Market program empowers STEM entrepreneurship

Recognizing the importance of commercialization in translating scientific and technological research into tangible societal and environmental benefits, UC is taking a bold step in nurturing a culture of innovation and market-driven thinking.

• To introduce graduate STEM students to the intricacies of entrepreneurship and the technology commercialization process.
• To equip students with the skills to envision market applications for their research, enhancing their prospects in the industry job market.

Candace Wade, program coordinator for UC’s Center for Entrepreneurship, sees this program as a catalyst for further propelling STEM research to produce positive societal impact.

“Lab2Market introduces STEM students to opportunities beyond the technical training they're used to. The program helps students think about the market applications of their research and how they can drive impact beyond the lab,” Wade said.

“Our job is to show them how to make that leap.”

The Lab2Market journey kicks off with an annual symposium, a cornerstone event designed to immerse graduate-level UC STEM students in the intricacies of entrepreneurship and the technology commercialization process.

During the immersive workshop, students will have the unique opportunity to learn from UC faculty members who are also founders, gaining insights into entrepreneurial resources and receive valuable feedback on their research from local entrepreneurs and investors. The event is free for UC graduate students focusing on STEM research, with selected participants eligible for a $100 scholarship credit.

Regardless of location, applicants can partake in virtual components, while in-person attendees engage in a pre-event workshop, preparing them to articulate their research within the market landscape.

This intensive program is specifically designed to guide students through the intricacies of conducting customer discovery research, a crucial step in understanding the market applications of their work.

Operating on a weekly schedule over a 14-week semester, participants engage in a cohort environment learning the ropes of market research. Modeled after the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program, students emerge with a profound understanding of the lean startup methodology and a robust network of industry connections — assets poised to shape their future research endeavors and career trajectories.

Expectations are high, with students committing 8-10 hours per week to customer discovery research and participating in weekly meetings where they present their progress. In recognition of their dedication, accepted participants receive a $5,000 fellowship awarded in the second and ninth weeks of the term.

The application process for Phase II is open to students with research ideas connected to their field and those ready to contribute their skills to UC faculty or affiliated startups.

By empowering the next generation of STEM leaders with the skills to bridge the gap between research and market impact, UC fosters a culture of innovation that promises to shape the future of STEM entrepreneurship. To learn more, visit the Lab2Market website.

Featured image at top: Students speak with program leaders at the Lab2Market symposium. Photo/Suzanne Buzek.