What You'll Gain
Tailored Support at Every Stage
Whether you're just curious or already building a venture, Venture Lab meets you where you are. Through clear pathways—Explorer, Founder, Joiner, and Investor—you get relevant guidance, programming, and opportunities that match your goals.
Access to Real Resources That Move You Forward
From funding and mentorship to co-working space and startup tools, Venture Lab offers practical, hands-on support to help you test ideas, gain traction, and grow your venture.
A Cross-Campus Community of Builders and Doers
Join a vibrant community of like-minded students from across all Penn schools. Collaborate, connect, and learn from peers, alumni, and experts who are all committed to innovation and impact.
Pathways
Venture Lab offers four unique pathways for students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation and a ecosystem map to discover resources available at Penn and the Philadelphia ecosystem. Each pathways features tailored programming that intertwines with our collective programs and resources.
Click on a pathway below to start your path
The Founder Pathway is for student entrepreneurs ready to turn bold ideas into real ventures.
The Joiner Pathway is for students who want to join a startup and help build from the inside.
The Investor Pathway is for students and recent grads eager to support to acquire startups.
The Explorer Pathway is for students curious about entrepreneurship and still discovering.
The ecosystem map offers navigation to Penn and Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial resources.
Start Here For Students
Subscribe to the Venture Lab newsletters to get the inside track, and stay updated with our programs, events, and other opportunities.
Don't know which programs to join to start your entrepreneurship journey?
Get started with our self-guided form in as little as 3 questions! This form will help you navigate our more than 25+ programs to find the ones that fit your needs!
Get started with our self-guided form in as little as 3 questions! This form will help you navigate our more than 25+ programs to find the ones that fit your needs!
Explore Venture Lab with our custom ChatGPT powered by Wharton. Whether you need insights on projects, resources, or anything related to Venture Lab, our custom Chatgpt AI Assistant is here to provide answers and guidance.
Access is currently limited to students with licenses to Wharton ChatGPT only.
Access is currently limited to students with licenses to Wharton ChatGPT only.
Learn about our programs from the staff who manage them.
Make an appointment now, in person or virtual!
Make an appointment now, in person or virtual!
The Venture Lab Ecosystem Map serves as a comprehensive guide to entrepreneurship resources for students, alumni, and innovators. This tool enables users to explore a wide range of resources tailored to their needs across five key pathways: Explorer, Founder, Joiner, Investor, and Navigator.
Apply to the Venture Lab membership for extended after-hour access and exclusive access to limited resources such as the Fabrication studio.
Currently enrolled student at Penn and have a valid PennKey only.
Currently enrolled student at Penn and have a valid PennKey only.
By subscribing, you'll gain access to exclusive content, tailored advice, and unique opportunities designed specifically for our students. Whether it's the funding opportunities, workshops, competitions, community events, or applications, our newsletter ensures you're always in the loop.
FAQ
What is Venture Lab, and who is it for?
Venture Lab is Penn’s hub for student entrepreneurship, open to all full-time, degree-seeking students across every Penn school, no matter your background or experience level.
Can I participate if I’m not in Wharton?
Absolutely. Venture Lab is for the entire Penn community—undergrads, grad students, and dual-degree students from any school are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Do I need a business idea to get involved?
Nope. Whether you're just curious or already working on a startup, Venture Lab has resources for every stage through four pathways: Explorer, Founder, Joiner, and Investor.
How do I figure out which pathway is right for me?
Each pathway matches your current mindset and goals. If you’re unsure, start with Explorer, or use the Fast Track tool, a Pathway Matching Tool to help you decide.
What kind of support can I get?
You can access funding, mentorship, workshops, 1:1 coaching, incubator programs, co-working space in Tangen Hall, and more, all designed to help you take action.
Where do I start?
Explore the four pathways on the Venture Lab website, check out upcoming events, or stop by Tangen Hall to connect with someone from the team and learn more.
Up Coming Events
02
November
Applications due by November 2nd, 2025 11:59PM EST
The Bet on Entrepreneurship Program provides students in the classes of 2028 and 2029 who identify as First-Generation and/or Limited Income (FGLI) with education around the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitated access to professional entrepreneurial spaces. The Program does this by supporting students through an introductory Spring Bootcamp and a subsequent 8-week placement within a local Philadelphia-area startup.
The Bet on Entrepreneurship Program provides students in the classes of 2028 and 2029 who identify as First-Generation and/or Limited Income (FGLI) with education around the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitated access to professional entrepreneurial spaces. The Program does this by supporting students through an introductory Spring Bootcamp and a subsequent 8-week placement within a local Philadelphia-area startup.
16
October
This high-impact discussion will focus on the critical tax considerations that can shape the trajectory of a scaling business, particularly in fast-moving and capital-intensive sectors like technology. Learn how to anticipate and navigate tax complexities before they become barriers to growth.
15
October
Join us for an info session about Venture Lab's Bet on Entrepreneurship program. Attend to learn about the program and application process, and hear from alumni of the program.
30
September
Watch student founders pitch their startups live, followed by an Ask Me Anything session with founder and investor Mona Bijoor, C’98, WG’05.
25
September
Amy Norman is the Founder and CEO of Nellie, a travel brand whose mission is to connect humans through extraordinary experiences.
We are here for all Penn students. When students run their idea by me at Venture Lab, I tell them that entrepreneurship can grow big, but it starts small and anyone can start it.
Trang Pham, Executive Director of Venture Lab
The resources at Penn are unparalleled, and I am very appreciative of that. I was accepted into VIP-C and then VIP-X, the incubator and accelerator tracks in the Venture Initiation Program. VIP-X gave me the proper resources to launch Steignet.
A.J. Steigman (WG'18), Founder & CEO, Steignet
Startup Stories
Find out what's happening across the #entrePENNeur community! Want to tell your story? Contact us at venturelab@upenn.edu.
