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Welcome

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

Applications for the Spring 2023 cohort have closed.

Demo Night

Stay tuned for updates on our signature startup showcase and pitch competition!

April 25th, Location TBD

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.

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!

Beach Bonfire

First Steps

Beach Bonfire

Fireside Chats

Alumni Workshops

Community Retreat

Pitch Night

Hack Night

Demo Night

LavaLab Formal

Retreat

Los Angeles, CA · Fall 2019

Community

A network of passionate innovators, over 350 members strong and growing.

The LavaLab network is like no other. We are a community of entrepreneurs, go-getters, and change makers who value connection, deep engagement, and building for a brighter future. Grow together in an environment that meets you where you’re at and pushes you to become the best version of yourself. At LavaLab, you’ll meet your future co-founders and some of your closest friends.

“
Lavalab made my semester one of the most rewarding experiences as a student so far. Turning a vision into a reality, finding lifelong friends and potential cofounders, and learning to hustle make this something I'd recommend to everyone.

Shub Gaur

Product Manager · Spring 2020

Alumni Project Spotlight

CarbonLink

Access carbon markets. CarbonLink is the simple and secure platform to buy, sell, and manage carbon offsets on the blockchain.

https://www.carbonlink.io/

Fleek

Your style, on Fleek. Explore curated items, search across top women's clothing brands, save favorites, organize Fleek boards, and purchase items.

https://www.fleekfashion.app/

Kyoku

Post-ride recovery shakes made for your body type, riding style, and cycling goals from plant-based superfoods. Personalized for optimal performance.

https://kyoku.com/

CarbonLink

Access carbon markets. CarbonLink is the simple and secure platform to buy, sell, and manage carbon offsets on the blockchain.

https://www.carbonlink.io/

Fleek

Your style, on Fleek. Explore curated items, search across top women's clothing brands, save favorites, organize Fleek boards, and purchase items.

https://www.fleekfashion.app/

Kyoku

Post-ride recovery shakes made for your body type, riding style, and cycling goals from plant-based superfoods. Personalized for optimal performance.

https://kyoku.com/
Fleek

Alumni Industry Employment

Airbnb
Amazon
Apple
Facebook
Google
Microsoft
Robinhood
Snapchat
Stripe
Twitter
Uber
And more

Executive Team

Nikhil Patel

President

Mitchell Morrison

Director of Operations

Maanya Kashyap

Director of Recruitment

Joanna Park

Director of Community

Scott Susanto

Director of Industry Relations

Tierra Buissereth

Director of Sponsorship

Phoebe Um

Director of Design

Colin Ho

Director of Development

Haley Ho

Director of Marketing

Anay Karwal

Director of Alumni and External Community

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