The first stop in the journey is Innov8 Hub Discovery Lab, a four-week, one-on-one experience designed for faculty or innovators who need space to think. The goal isn’t to launch yet, it’s to ask the hard questions, vet feasibility, and refine the idea. The final deliverable? A simplified business model that helps founders visualize their pathway to impact.

This program is where people begin to transition from research into real-world thinking. The next step from Discovery lab for our innovators is often the Innovator to Founder program in Innov8 hub

Once a founder has clarity, they can move into the Innvo8 Hub Innovator to Founder program, a structured, three-month accelerator that focuses on execution. They build a full business plan, craft their story, build their financial model, meet mentors and prepare for Pitch Day, where they present to a panel of judges, potential funders, and partners.

More than just exposure, this phase offers visibility, confidence, and often momentum.

The next stage in the journey is capital generation. Through a soon-to-be-revamped SBIR/STTR support program, UH Innovation aims to prepare startups for grant applications and pool capital into their newly formed ventures.