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Innovation Studio
Also known as: UR Innovation Studio
University of Richmond · Richmond, VA
Quick fit check
- Indirect support only
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
$0 – $3,000
Equity
None
Application
Rolling
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-06-24
Medium confidence
The Innovation Studio is the University of Richmond's central hub for design thinking, creative problem-solving, and innovation. Led by Director Andrew Ilnicki, the Studio offers walk-in advising (M-F 9am-4pm), design thinking workshops, LEGO Serious Play sessions, co-working space, and RVA Ecosystem Excursions. It hosts the Spider Ventures student org and administers the Summer Incubator program. The Studio also helps students apply to external competitions and provides travel grants. Open to all UR students, faculty, and staff.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Innovation Studio at University of Richmond.
4 sources
University of Richmond
Techstars Startup Weekend Richmond
Techstars Startup Weekend hosted at University of Richmond's Robins School of Business. Open to the public. Held February 20-22, 2026. 54-hour weekend event where participants form teams around startup ideas, build prototypes, validate with customers, and pitch to judges. Part of the global Techstars Startup Weekend network.
Read on University of Richmond
University of Richmond
UR Competitions Support
Innovation Studio competitions support page. Studio helps students apply to external competitions including: Accelerate DC, CEO Global Pitch Competition, VentureWell E-Team Program (up to $25,000), Baylor New Venture Competition, The Launch Place pitch competitions, TCU Values and Ventures Competition, Heartland Challenge, Startup Runway Showcase, BioDesign Challenge, Planet Forward StoryFest, and Global Social Innovation Challenge. Travel grants available for competition expenses. Students must work with Studio on materials before applying.
Read on University of Richmond
University of Richmond
Startup Virginia Idea Factory Partnership
Startup Virginia Idea Factory partnership page. Innovation Studio partners with Startup Virginia to offer Idea Factory program. Helps students build businesses based on customer insights rather than assumptions. Startup Virginia is a Richmond-based incubator supporting 90+ startups with founder coaching, capital access, fractional services, high-impact education, collaborative connections, and flexible workspace. Serves founders from ideation through growth stages.
Read on University of Richmond
University of Richmond
UR Innovation Studio
Innovation Studio homepage. Central hub for design thinking, creative problem-solving, and innovation at University of Richmond. Led by Director Andrew Ilnicki. Walk-in advising M-F 9am-4pm. Offers weekly workshops: Intro to Design Thinking, LEGO Serious Play, Values to Ventures series, Lunch and Learns. Co-working space available for student projects. Hosts Spider Ventures weekly meetups (Thursdays 6-8pm). RVA Ecosystem Excursions to local startups. Spring 2026 notable events: Techstars Startup Weekend (Feb 20-22), multiple design thinking workshops, PRISM Prompting with AI. Feature stories include Y Combinator acceptance and global Biodesign Sprint win.
Read on University of Richmond