i3 Lab Events and Awards

The i3 Lab engages 1,000+ WPI students each year through hands-on events that spark entrepreneurship, collaboration, and real-world impact, including:

Workshops
Founder panels
Pitch nights
Skill-building sessions

Our programs support students at every stage—from exploring an idea to building a startup. Powered by a student-driven culture and strong partnerships, the i3 Lab turns creativity into action and ideas into momentum.

The i3 Lab’s entrepreneurship awards provide funding, resources, and support to help innovators move their ideas forward. These opportunities are designed to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and help turn promising ideas into real-world impact.

Events at i3 Lab

DEMO DAY

Demo Day is WPI’s premier pitch competition, hosted by the i3 Lab, where 10 student startups pitch live for a share of a $50,000+ prize pool. With major awards like the $25,000 Aram (‘33) and Alba Kalenian Award and over 100 applications each year, Demo Day is a high-energy celebration of student innovation and entrepreneurship.

DEMO DAY 2024 Highlights DEMO DAY 2025 Highlights

GOAT TANK

GOAT Tank is WPI’s undergraduate pitch showdown, featuring 20+ student ventures and a competitive final round judged by industry leaders. With cash prizes, real-world solutions, and 80+ attendees, the event highlights the drive, creativity, and ambition of WPI’s rising founders.

GOAT TANK 2025 Highlights GOAT TANK 2026 Applications

WIIX

WIIX (Worcester Inter-University Innovation Exchange) is a fast-paced networking and pitch event hosted by the i3 Lab, connecting students from WPI, Holy Cross, Nichols, and beyond. Through rapid-fire 1-minute pitches, WIIX sparks collaboration and cross-campus innovation, bringing diverse ideas together in a high-energy setting.

WIIX Fall 2025 Details

WORKSHOPS

The i3 Lab offers hands-on workshops for every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

Students learn about topics like intellectual property, startup policy, and innovation through sessions with regional partners like Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives and student organizations focused on entrepreneurship, finance, and social impact.

Industry leaders, including Charles River, A State Street Company, also share what employers look for in resumes, applications, and interviews.

These workshops help students build practical skills, explore career paths, and gain the confidence to turn ideas into action.

IP WORKSHOP

Awards & Funding at i3 Lab

Nancy & Mike Abrams Venture Starter Kit

The Nancy & Mike Abrams Venture Starter Kit provides student founders with essential tools, guidance, and resources to help turn early ideas into viable ventures. Designed to support the first steps of entrepreneurship, the kit equips students with practical frameworks and startup essentials to confidently begin building and testing their concepts.

Apply today

Kalenian Award

The Kalenian Award, established in honor of Aram Kalenian ’33 through the generosity of Alba Kalenian, provides up to $25,000 in seed funding to support innovative ideas at any stage of development. Designed to encourage invention, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, the award empowers students, faculty, and alumni to move viable ideas toward real-world impact and bring meaningful solutions to society.

Learn More