Venture Lab

Excited to cohost this event with Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative!

DDS Masterclass: The Evolving Landscape of Startup Marketing and AI with Jonathan Hsu WG'98, VP & Business Finance Officer at Google It's happening today, and seats are selling out fast! [EXCLUSIVE to Members of the Penn Community] https://lnkd.in/eSX3AHnU Marketing for startups is evolving beyond brand awareness— #AI, #data, and strategic finance now drive sustainable growth. Join us TODAY, from 3:30 - 5:00 PM EST at Tangen Hall 708 for an exclusive DDS Masterclass featuring Jonathan Hsu WG'98, VP & Business Finance Officer at Google. With experience overseeing $200B+ in #DigitalAdvertising, Jonathan will break down the AI-driven #marketing strategies that fuel hyper-growth startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Expect a deep dive into scaling user acquisition, data-backed marketing insights, and enterprise-level frameworks tailored for startup success. This session is perfect for #entrepreneurs looking to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're building your first product, optimizing customer acquisition, or scaling operations, this masterclass will equip you with cutting-edge tactics used by the world's most successful #tech #businesses. Plus, an exclusive Q&A with Jonathan Hsu offers the chance to get personalized insights. Date & Time: TODAY - Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 3:30 - 5:00 PM EST Location: Tangen Hall 708, 115 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA What You'll Learn: - AI-driven marketing techniques used by top tech companies - Data-backed strategies to scale user acquisition and retention - Exclusive Q&A with Jonathan Hsu, an expert in $200B+ digital ad markets with Google #AIinMarketing #StartupGrowth #DigitalMarketingAI #GrowthHacking #DataDrivenMarketing #MarketingStrategy #UserAcquisition The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania

Happening tomorrow!

We are thrilled to introduce the dynamic new Spring 2025 cohort of the VIP-X San Francisco accelerator! This diverse group of Penn entrepreneurs is poised to drive innovation and make a significant impact in the Bay Area. Over the next four months, these founders will engage in intensive sessions, one-on-one advising, and collaborative workshops designed to accelerate their ventures' growth. The VIP-X program offers a robust platform for startups to refine their business models, expand their networks, and achieve measurable traction. Join us in welcoming these visionary entrepreneurs as they embark on this transformative journey: Michael Wong, InstaHub Sophia Su, Hartford Education Leonard M Lodish Richell Lydon and Yulia Casey, Glogenix Rada Savic and Thomas Schmitt, Patience Orestis Skoutellas, Headquarters Stay tuned for updates on their progress and success stories emerging from this vibrant community. Learn more about the Venture Initiation Program: https://whr.tn/3PheKYP #VIPX #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #PennAlumni #Startups #SanFrancisco

Calling all University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School student founders -- your startup could win $1M! Do you have a venture tackling a major social or environmental challenge? This is your chance to make a real impact—and get funded. The Hult Prize Foundation, one of the most prestigious social entrepreneurship competitions, is offering up to $1M in seed funding to the best startup. Even if you don’t win, most finalists secure funding before the competition ends. The Wharton Entrepreneurship Club and Venture Lab are teaming up to host UPenn’s local Hult Prize pitch competition—and the stakes are high. What’s in it for you? *Grand Prize: Flight to Boston & automatic entry into the national Hult Prize pitch competition *The top 3 teams will be considered for the national competition with entry into the Critical Venture Partners Pitch Competition (win up to $100K in non-dilutive funding!) *There will be a community choice winner with a SECRET prize. Key Dates & Requirements *Apply by: Feb 14 @ 11:59 PM *Live Pitch Competition: Feb 19, 12-1:30 PM @ Tangen Hall *Team Size: 2-4 people (grab a co-founder if needed!) How to Apply *Submit your application here: https://lnkd.in/eSqzTfpM #hultprize #entrepreneurship #startupfunding #socialimpact #startuplife #founders #pitchcompetition #venturelab #wharton #upenn #studententrepreneurs #impactstartups #seedfunding #innovation #socialentrepreneurship #sustainablebusiness #businesscompetition #startups #founderlife #nonprofitstartup #changemakers

We are proud to celebrate and share Lori's exciting announcement! At Venture Lab, we have the privilege of supporting and witnessing the journeys of so many incredible entrepreneurs across Penn’s vibrant ecosystem. Lori’s new book, Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, perfectly captures the diversity, resilience, and innovation of these change-makers—highlighting paths that challenge the narrow entrepreneurial stereotypes we so often see. It’s a must-read for anyone exploring entrepreneurship or seeking inspiration to make an impact, whether you're launching a venture, joining a startup, or innovating within an organization. Mark your calendars for April 22, or better yet, pre-order now: https://lnkd.in/emDApXtH Let’s spread the word and continue championing the unstoppable spirit of Penn entrepreneurs! #UnstoppableEntrepreneurs #VentureLab #Innovation #PennEntrepreneurs

Vote for Jeffrey Babin in the Philly Tech Awards! We’re thrilled to announce that Jeffrey Babin, our esteemed inaugural Engineering Faculty Director at Venture Lab, has been nominated for the 2024 Philly Tech Awards! A dedicated advocate for technological innovation and entrepreneurship, Jeffrey has been instrumental in shaping transformative programs like the Venture Initiation Program (VIP), empowering hundreds of students to turn ideas into impactful ventures. His expertise and passion have made him a guiding force in fostering a thriving ecosystem of tech entrepreneurs at the University of Pennsylvania. Let’s rally behind Jeffrey and show our support! This nomination not only highlights his dedication but also underscores the incredible work happening at Venture Lab. Cast your vote to celebrate Jeffrey’s contributions and help propel our university’s impact in the Philly tech community to new heights! VOTE HERE: https://whr.tn/3AE5iMX

?? To get ready for Halloween, we took a trip to the Engineering Studios at Venture Lab to learn how to 3D print some spooky decorations! Watch as Studio Techs and Integrated Product Design (IPD) students Jeff C., Leila Idrissi, and Sammy Dreibelbis give us a crash course in printing in resin on a Form Labs Form 4 printer. The IPD program is a collaboration between Wharton, Penn Engineering, and the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design that brings together technical, business, and design perspectives. Supported by Penn Engineering in collaboration with Wharton, the Engineering Studios are a collection of labs dedicated to making ideas tangible through processes like laser cutting and 3D printing. Resin printing services will be available spring 2025. You can access their services by signing up for a Venture Lab membership and completing a safety training session.

An incredible 72 hours on the ground in Beijing - loving the enthusiasm and expertise of our alumni and the curiosity of aspiring high schoolers! Venture Lab #entrePENNeur

I’m thrilled to announce that I have successfully defended my PhD dissertation! It’s been an incredible journey at University of Pennsylvania GRASP Lab, and I’m deeply grateful to my advisor M. Ani Hsieh and everyone who supported me throughout. It’s been a privilege to immerse myself in the world of robotics and AI over the past five years. Now, I’m diving full force into my startup, Daxo Industries, tackling the labor shortage in agriculture. We’ve already had a fantastic head start, thanks to the amazing support from Penn Engineering Entrepreneurship, Venture Lab , and the innovation funds from both The Wharton School and Jerome Fisher M&T Program. I can't wait to bring cutting-edge technology to the field and help solve the critical challenges facing the industry. ?? The future is bright! #Agritech #Innovation #StartupJourney #PhDLife #FutureOfFarming