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Spring 2022 Recruitment
Spring recruiment details and events will be annouced at the beginning of the next semester.
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
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 project managers to build tomorrow’s startups, today.
Every semester for the past 7 years, LavaLab takes a cohort of 28 students composed of designers, developers, and project 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.
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 project manager.
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 project managers to build tomorrow’s startups, today.
Every semester for the past 7 years, LavaLab takes a cohort of 28 students composed of designers, developers, and project 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.
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 project manager.
Demo Night
Los Angeles, CA · Fall 2019
Find Your Role
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Events
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.
The first social event of the new cohort. Bond with your fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni over roasted marshmallows.
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.
LavaLum know best. Learn insights and skills from alumni-led workshops on anything from React Native, to Figma shortcuts, to giving the best pitch.
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.
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.
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.
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!
A celebration of hard work, new friends, and the graduation of another accomplished cohort. Cheers!
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.
The first social event of the new cohort. Bond with your fellow cohort members and LavaLab alumni over roasted marshmallows.
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.
LavaLum know best. Learn insights and skills from alumni-led workshops on anything from React Native, to Figma shortcuts, to giving the best pitch.
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.
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.
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.
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!
A celebration of hard work, new friends, and the graduation of another accomplished cohort. Cheers!
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
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.
Shub Gaur
Product Manager · Spring 2020
Alumni Project Spotlight
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/
Recess creates shared calendars that display free-time between all parties and suggests personalized activities for you and your group. Maintain your friendships with a frictionless scheduling flow.
Everyone hates comparing prices online. Spree turns anyone into a shopping wizard by automatically comparing prices and checking out from everywhere, in just one click!
https://www.joinspree.com/
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/
Recess creates shared calendars that display free-time between all parties and suggests personalized activities for you and your group. Maintain your friendships with a frictionless scheduling flow.
Everyone hates comparing prices online. Spree turns anyone into a shopping wizard by automatically comparing prices and checking out from everywhere, in just one click!
https://www.joinspree.com/Alumni Industry Employment
Airbnb
Amazon
Apple
Facebook
Google
Microsoft
Robinhood
Snapchat
Slack
Twitter
Uber
And moreExecutive Team
Amber Pugh
President
Shub Gaur
Director of Operations
Eshana Seshadri
Director of Community
Madison Gong
Director of Industry Relations
Mia Ahmady
Director of Sponsorship
Stephanie Noh
Director of Design
Nikhil Patel
Director of Development
Haley Ho
Director of Marketing
Our sponsors:
LavaLab 2021. All Rights Reserved.
