What You'll Gain
Learn by Doing
The innovation spaces give all students the chance to apply ideas in real time, whether you're testing a concept, supporting a team, or analyzing how ventures come to life.
Spaces Designed for Diverse Needs
From food testing and prototyping to content creation and retail, the spaces support a wide variety of activities that are relevant to explorers, joiners, investors, and founders alike.
Inclusive Access Across the Penn Community
No matter your school, background, or pathway, these spaces are built for hands-on exploration, collaboration, and skill-building for anyone interested in entrepreneurship.
Innovation Spaces
The Food Innovation Lab is a hands-on launchpad for Penn students ready to turn bold food ideas into real ventures, offering a commercial test kitchen, expert support, and industry tools from concept to consumer.
Our Retail Lab is a flexible retail space to showcase successful alumni and student ventures, inspire Penn students, and provide active learning opportunities.
The Digital Design Studio at Venture Lab is an educational resource to support current Penn student startups of all stages with their branding and marketing, featuring a state-of-the-art audiovisual production studio.
The Engineering Studios @ Venture Lab are a collection of workspaces and labs that house digital and analog fabrication technologies that empower the Penn community to make their ideas a reality.
Reserve one of the small team rooms to work on your startup or to meet with investors.
FAQ
What are the innovation spaces at Venture Lab?
Venture Lab has nine specialized spaces inside Tangen Hall, including studios for digital media, physical prototyping, food ventures, retail testing, and more.
Who can use these spaces?
All full-time, degree-seeking Penn students are eligible to signup for membership and gain access to the spaces*, regardless of school, background, or pathways - Explorer, Founder, Joiner, or Investor.
*Some innovation spaces may require safety training or reservations.
*Some innovation spaces may require safety training or reservations.
Do I need to have a startup to use the spaces?
No. You can use the spaces to test ideas, support a project, join a team, or just learn new tools. You don’t need to be building a company to participate.
What kinds of resources are available in the spaces?
Each space is equipped with specialized tools—such as 3D printers, food prep equipment, podcast and video gear, and retail displays, along with staff support and training.
How do I get access?
Most spaces requires membership to access safety training and/or reservations. Visit the webpage of each space you're interested to learn more.
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