Wharton Stories: Innovate

A large group of smiling people poses together at Venture Lab, with some individuals holding awards or plaques from the 2026 Startup Challenge.

“Creatives need a way to proactively protect their work. By protecting authors, we’re protecting innovation.” — Rishi Ambavanekar, ENG’29, W’29, 2026 Startup Challenge Grand Prize Winner

Top Winners at Venture Lab 2026 Startup Challenge

Margaret Zhu smiles and wears professional attire, standing outside Huntsman Hall.

“Margaret [Zhu] aims to increase safety in one of the most dangerous jobs in our country,” says Penn President J. Larry Jameson. “Her use of cutting edge-technology together with human insight is quintessentially Penn and will help protect arborists while improving the industry.”

Wharton Undergrad Margaret Zhu Receives 2026 President’s Innovation Prize

A small group of people smiling and holding framed certificates in front of a black curtain.

“These projects began as the visions of passionate Penn students, now alumni, who embody the University at its finest: creative and extraordinarily committed to making a measurable difference in the world,” says Penn President J. Larry Jameson.

President’s Prize Recipients Nirby and Nourish to Flourish Include Wharton Alumni

A small group of people dressed in formal attire posing on a staircase.

CarboWells is the recipient of this year’s Y-Prize competition, cosponsored by the Mack Institute for Innovation Management and Venture Lab in partnership with Penn Engineering and the Penn Center for Innovation. The team includes Wharton undergraduates Yash Iyer, W’29, and Bhuranyu Mahajan W’29.

CarboWells Wins 2026 Y-Prize

A modern building with large glass windows and brick walls, featuring a sign that reads

The Path From Labs to the Marketplace

A group of people seated in a classroom-like setting, attentively raising their hands, suggesting participation or answering questions.

“In a classroom setting, it’s concept; but at Venture Lab, it’s execution. Because I know how important receiving that validation was to me as a young founder, it’s so rewarding to offer that back in turn at Venture Lab today.” – Shanel Fields, WG’23

Founders Come Full Circle at Wharton’s Venture Lab

A person filling out a tax-related questionnaire from the Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia, using a pen. The form rests on other documents.

A new Wharton course serves low-income taxpayers and provides students with experiential learning.

From the Classroom to the Community: ABCS Course Helps Philly File Taxes

AI at Wharton brings together an impressively diverse offering of teaching and research resources on artificial intelligence.

The Future of AI: How Wharton Is Leading the Charge