Welcome

Fully immerse yourself in the startup experience. We are the University of Southern California’s premiere, student-run, product incubator. Every semester, LavaLab invites a new cohort of visionary designers, developers, and product managers to build tomorrow’s startups, today.

The Experience

Every semester for the past 7 years, LavaLab takes a cohort of 28 students composed of designers, developers, and product managers. After getting to know your fellow cohort members, you are then put into teams of 4 to create your startup. Dream big: makeup company, bar hopping app, parking hardware--anything goes.

Curriculum

Our trademark curriculum teaches you how to build a product, from ideation to deployment, while reinforcing principles of entrepreneurship and innovation. Learn the ins-and-outs of your role as a designer, developer, or product manager.

Welcome

Fully immerse yourself in the startup experience. We are the University of Southern California’s premiere, student-run, product incubator. Every semester, LavaLab invites a new cohort of visionary designers, developers, and product managers to build tomorrow’s startups, today.

The Experience

Every semester for the past 7 years, LavaLab takes a cohort of 28 students composed of designers, developers, and product managers. After getting to know your fellow cohort members, you are then put into teams of 4 to create your startup. Dream big: makeup company, bar hopping app, parking hardware--anything goes.

Curriculum

Our trademark curriculum teaches you how to build a product, from ideation to deployment, while reinforcing principles of entrepreneurship and innovation. Learn the ins-and-outs of your role as a designer, developer, or product manager.

The Experience

What's Happening Now

Our Fall 2024 Applications are live

Apply Today!

Demo Night

Come celebrate the beginning of USC's newest startups!

November 29, 5pm-8pm, Tommy's Place

Save the Date

LavaLearn

LavaLearn is our signature open-access curriculum, providing entrepreneurial and tech resources, workshops, and fireside chats to USC and the greater public.

Check it out

Demo Night

Los Angeles, CA · Fall 2019

Find Your Role

Developer

Who you are: You have a knack for building and are able to hack through anything (literally and metaphorically). You are fearless in creating and are ready to teach yourself unknown tech concepts. Your grit and perseverance keep you going through coding challenges. What you'll be doing: Working with a fellow developer on your team to build your product: an app, website, or physical product. Creating an MVP with baseline features to get your product's ideas across. Coming together with your PM and designer to brainstorm the problem you want to solve and how to address it.

Designer

Who you are: You have a passion about crafting visual experiences. You are empathetic and able to put yourself in the user's shoes. Your ability to learn continues to push your design skills. Your creativity and attention to detail take your abilities to the next level. What you'll be doing: Designing the MVP for your team's product including the branding, user experience, and marketing materials. Conceptualize the best way to get your product's message across through creative expression. Coming together with your PM and developers to brainstorm the problem you want to solve and how to address it.

Product Manager

Who you are: You are ready to disrupt the norm and solve any problem that comes your way. You naturally take leadership positions in your own ventures, jobs, or class projects and are able to get a team working together to execute. You have a vision and love approaching obstacles in a creative way. What you'll be doing: Creating direction for your team through organization and collaboration. Working with your designer and developers to drive the product forward. Ideating on key innovations and scoping out the market for your product.

Developer

Who you are: You have a knack for building and are able to hack through anything (literally and metaphorically). You are fearless in creating and are ready to teach yourself unknown tech concepts. Your grit and perseverance keep you going through coding challenges. What you'll be doing: Working with a fellow developer on your team to build your product: an app, website, or physical product. Creating an MVP with baseline features to get your product's ideas across. Coming together with your PM and designer to brainstorm the problem you want to solve and how to address it.

Designer

Who you are: You have a passion about crafting visual experiences. You are empathetic and able to put yourself in the user's shoes. Your ability to learn continues to push your design skills. Your creativity and attention to detail take your abilities to the next level. What you'll be doing: Designing the MVP for your team's product including the branding, user experience, and marketing materials. Conceptualize the best way to get your product's message across through creative expression. Coming together with your PM and developers to brainstorm the problem you want to solve and how to address it.

Product Manager

Who you are: You are ready to disrupt the norm and solve any problem that comes your way. You naturally take leadership positions in your own ventures, jobs, or class projects and are able to get a team working together to execute. You have a vision and love approaching obstacles in a creative way. What you'll be doing: Creating direction for your team through organization and collaboration. Working with your designer and developers to drive the product forward. Ideating on key innovations and scoping out the market for your product.

Designer

Events

Idea Grind

Jump right in and see what LavaLab is about with our spin on an Info Session. Through discussion and brainstorming, hearing from E-board, and asking questions, you'll get a taste of what LavaLab is about.

Beach bonfire

The first social event of the new cohort. Bond with your fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni over roasted marshmallows.

Fireside Chats

Each semester, LavaLab invites the industry’s top pioneers and entrepreneurs to share their experiences and engage with our members. In the past, we’ve had industry leaders like Elon Musk, Evan Spiegel, and Arielle Zuckerberg.

Alumni Workshops

LavaLum know best. Learn insights and skills from alumni-led workshops on anything from React Native, to Figma shortcuts, to giving the best pitch.

Community Retreat

Who doesn’t love a weekend getaway? Join fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni for a trip away from Downtown Los Angeles. Get to know your future co-founders on a whole ‘nother level.

Pitch Night

Two weeks before the final showcase, run through your pitch with no judgement. Get feedback from LavaLum on how to perfect your product and pitch for Demo Night.

Hack Night

It’s the final stretch. Join your fellow devs and designers to grind out the finishing touches of your product. Fuel up with free food and encouragement from our E-board.

Demo Night

The Oscars of LavaLab. Demo and pitch your product to investor judges to showcase your team's hard work. Congratulations, you’re now a LavaLum!

LavaLab Formal

A celebration of hard work, new friends, and the graduation of another accomplished cohort. Cheers!

Idea Grind

Jump right in and see what LavaLab is about with our spin on an Info Session. Through discussion and brainstorming, hearing from E-board, and asking questions, you'll get a taste of what LavaLab is about.

Beach bonfire

The first social event of the new cohort. Bond with your fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni over roasted marshmallows.

Fireside Chats

Each semester, LavaLab invites the industry’s top pioneers and entrepreneurs to share their experiences and engage with our members. In the past, we’ve had industry leaders like Elon Musk, Evan Spiegel, and Arielle Zuckerberg.

Alumni Workshops

LavaLum know best. Learn insights and skills from alumni-led workshops on anything from React Native, to Figma shortcuts, to giving the best pitch.

Community Retreat

Who doesn’t love a weekend getaway? Join fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni for a trip away from Downtown Los Angeles. Get to know your future co-founders on a whole ‘nother level.

Pitch Night

Two weeks before the final showcase, run through your pitch with no judgement. Get feedback from LavaLum on how to perfect your product and pitch for Demo Night.

Hack Night

It’s the final stretch. Join your fellow devs and designers to grind out the finishing touches of your product. Fuel up with free food and encouragement from our E-board.