What is Lab2Market?
Commercialization is the single most valuable way for translating science and technology research into environmental and societal impact.
Lab2Market is a multi-phased entrepreneurial program for graduate students with a two-pronged purpose:
- Introduce graduate students to entrepreneurship and the technology commercialization process.
- Help students think about the market applications of their research so they can be stronger candidates for industry-related jobs.
Phase I: Symposium (one-day Lab2Market symposium)
Phase II: Customer Discovery class (3 credit hours graduate class open to all students))
While all graduate students will find value in attending the symposium, the program is specifically beneficial for STEM graduate students who are working on a technology as part of their research.
Who, When and Where?
The Lab2Market Symposium 2025 will take place on Thursday, October 23rd from 8:30am to 4:00pm at the 1819 Innovation Hub. This free event is intended for all UC graduate students, but particularly those students with a STEM (Science-Technology-Engineeing-Math) research area of focus.
Why Attend?
Participants will come away from the Lab2Market Symposium day with a strong understanding of the technology commercialization process and the entrepreneurial mindset and toolkit to recognize and evaluate future business opportunities in their own research and professional career. During the workshop, participants will hear from UC faculty founders and learn about the entrepreneurial resources available to them at UC. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to gain feedback on their research from local entrepreneurs and investors familiar with the market landscape in their research area.
Transportation
Free transportation from the UC Main campus to the 1819 Innovation Hub is available through the 1819 Innovation District Shuttle Bus which leaves regularly in front of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business every 25 minutes. Students who prefer to drive are welcome to park at the 1819 Innovation Hub on the day of the event for free.
Top Participants Will Be Eligible for Follow on Funding
Attendees who identify a market application for their research and want to pursue commercialization efforts will be eligible to apply for a $500-$1000 Spark grant to use in developing their technology. Additional UC nondilutive funding (up to $115,000) may be available to those who demonstrate traction with their technology and customer validation.
Application Process
Lab2Market is open to all UC graduate students. Participants will be selected to attend based on their research and commercialization interests.
Apply to the Lab2Market 2025 Symposium here.
- Introduce graduate students to entrepreneurship and the technology commercialization process.
Agenda
8:30 – Coffee & Networking
9:00 – Opening Remarks; Understanding the Technology Commercialization Process
10:00 – UC researcher founder panel
11:00 – Examining Your Research Through the Lens of the Market
12:15 – Lunch
1:00 – Breakout Sessions with Entrepreneurial Mentors and Startup Cincy Entrepreneurs/Investors
3:30 – UC's Commercialization Pathway
4:00 - Conclusion
Presented by
In Partnership With
Over 200 graduate students have participated in Lab2Market since its' inception in 2022!
Participant Testimonials
As a Ph.D. student navigating the realm of practical research, I often encounter the challenge of aligning product development with academic expectations. Innovative projects with real-world applications can be undervalued in academic settings, especially when they don't fit the traditional mold of research.
This prevailing academic mindset often steers students towards conventional research paths, focusing more on publications than on causing real-world impact. Here, the Lab2Market program has been a game-changer for me. It not only incentivizes bringing innovative solutions to the market but also provides practical guidance to actualize them.
— Lab2Market 2023 participant
The program so far has helped me think out of the box and made me realize that focusing just on the technical part of my research is not enough as it will alone not help me make an impact. I gained knowledge about doing market research, finding competitors, targeting the right market, and focusing on the differentiators. I never knew that I had to focus on these areas. I think this will help me a lot in the next two years of my Ph.D. to work on my dissertation where I can first ask myself if there is a need for whatever I am doing.
— Lab2Market 2024 participant
- Apply Now
Deadline: Applications are due on October 19 at 11:59pm. Applicants will be notified by October 20th of their status.
