What is a Joiner?
Collaborative Contributor
Joiners thrive in startup environments where they can apply their skills to help build and grow ventures alongside founders.
Versatile Problem-Solver
They bring adaptability, initiative, and a hands-on approach to tackling challenges across functions like product, marketing, or operations.
Impact-Driven Teammate
Joiners are motivated by purpose and progress, finding fulfillment in contributing meaningfully to a team’s mission and success.
Programs for Joiners
Our Retail Lab is a flexible retail space to showcase successful alumni and student ventures, inspire Penn students, and provide active learning opportunities.
The Engineering Studios @ Venture Lab are a collection of fabrication labs open to the
entire University of Pennsylvania community
- powered by the School of Engineering & Applied Science - to make ideas tangible and testable.
entire University of Pennsylvania community
- powered by the School of Engineering & Applied Science - to make ideas tangible and testable.
Founder Programs
The Visiting Experts Program is a Venture Lab program that provides students with the opportunity to meet and learn from alumni founders, entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and industry experts in one-on-one or small group AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions.
The Food Innovation Lab helps Penn students bring food ideas to life through kitchen access, advising, funding, events, and practical support.
Early-stage ventures run on contributors, and Penn students are ready to contribute.
The Venture Lab Practicum is a Joiner Pathway joinership program that connects founders in the Penn venture ecosystem with motivated student Joiners who bring skills, energy, and fresh perspective to hands-on, project-based work over a semester or full academic year.
The Venture Lab Practicum is a Joiner Pathway joinership program that connects founders in the Penn venture ecosystem with motivated student Joiners who bring skills, energy, and fresh perspective to hands-on, project-based work over a semester or full academic year.
The Snider Consulting Program is a premier experiential learning initiative that provides graduate and undergraduate students across all Penn schools with an opportunity to gain consulting experience while supporting the strategic needs of startups and growth-stage ventures. Guided by experienced program advisors, student teams work on semester long engagements to deliver data driven insights that create immediate value for clients.
Get focused, one-on-one feedback on a brand, design, content, product-marketing, or production-planning question through Digital Design Studio office hours.
Build practical skills in branding, marketing, content, design, and multimedia production through Digital Design Studio workshops and events.
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.
Programming for the 2026-2027 academic year begins September 15th
Programming for the 2026-2027 academic year begins September 15th
FAQ
What is a joiner in the context of entrepreneurship?
A joiner is someone who thrives in entrepreneurial environments by contributing their skills to an existing startup rather than founding one themselves.
Why are joiners essential to startup success?
Founders can't do it alone—joiners bring critical expertise, energy, and execution to help ventures grow, often becoming key early team members.
What types of roles do joiners typically take on?
Joiners work across a range of roles, including product development, marketing, strategy, operations, and tech—depending on their interests and strengths.
What skills are important for a joiner?
Adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments are key traits of successful joiners.
Who should consider the Joiner Pathway?
If you enjoy building new things, love working on small teams, and want to make an impact without starting your own venture, the Joiner Pathway may be a great fit.
How does Venture Lab support joiners?
Venture Lab connects joiners with student startups, offers internships and hands-on experiences, and provides workshops, mentorship, and networking to build startup-ready skills.
Latest Joiner Events
03
September
Join Venture Lab’s Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop: Deal Screening & Understanding the ETA Pathway on Thursday, September 3, from 3:30–4:30 pm ET at Tangen Hall (Room 708).
15
September
Join Venture Lab for a Fireside Chat on Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) with Professor Richard Perlman (W’68) and alumni of the Perlman ETA Fellowship on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 6:00–7:15 pm at Tangen Hall (2nd Floor Colloquium).
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