Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

Supporting Student Innovation

The EnVision Arts and Engineering Maker Studio is an important new addition to the university’s growing network of spaces supporting student innovation on campus.

“Our students regularly make the news for developing new approaches and new products that succeed in the modern business environment,” says Paul Roben, head of UC San Diego’s Office of Innovation and Commercialization. “From personal cameras to 3-D printed rocket engines to study-and-sleep-enhancing headphones, our students and alumni have been at the forefront of bringing ideas to the markets of America and the world. We want to encourage more of that.”

Below is a sampling of other shared-space centers, incubators and accelerators across campus that encourage and inspire entrepreneurial UC San Diego students.

• The Basement is a shared campus wide enterprise managed by Alumni and Community Engagement to stimulate, encourage and serve the entrepreneurial spirit of UC San Diego students by providing a co-work and incubation space.
• Geisel Library Digital Media Lab provides a space for media creation and editing for all UC San Diego faculty, staff and students. Specific capabilities include free 3-D printing, video editing, image manipulation, sound editing, media-rich website creation and basic productivity.
• mystartupXX is a diversity-driven UC San Diego accelerator program run by the Rady School of Management and Jacobs School of Engineering. The program is dedicated to supporting the entrepreneurship efforts of women and others who are traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurship programs.
• Qualcomm Institute Design Studio provides a place for students, educators and student groups in the UC San Diego community who want to engage in the design and exploration of embedded systems. The Studio is geared towards more introductory experiences and the interface between electronics, design and crafts.
• Qualcomm Institute Prototyping Lab provides professional design services with expertise in electrical, mechanical and software prototypes. The lab also hosts machining and measurement capabilities. Services are available via recharge to the entire campus community.
• StartR is a nonprofit accelerator for M.B.A. students and alumni at the Rady School of Management. This free six-month program is designed to provide entrepreneurs the tools needed to start and grow their businesses.
• The Triton Technology Fund is a venture capital fund specifically focused on commercializing innovations by UC San Diego faculty, students, staff, alumni and individuals who have licensed technology from the university.

The von Liebig Entrepreneurism Center at the Jacobs School of Engineering provides an integrated approach to help university innovators bring their ideas to market through education, mentorship, and access to funding. To date, the Center has supported more than 200 entrepreneurial teams and assisted in the launch of 56 companies.

The von Liebig Entrepreneurism Center NSF I-Corps Program is a hands-on series of workshops that guide faculty, graduate, and undergraduate teams through the process of starting a company. Participants learn to validate ideas for market and pitch ideas to investors. Accepted teams are mentored by entrepreneurial experts, receive up to $3000, and are eligible to receive $50,000 from the National Science Foundation.