Economic & Business Engagement

EDGE Labs

EDGE Labs is UA’s technology incubator, providing essential wet labs and office spaces for new university spinoffs and tech startups in need of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for R&D, prototyping, and lab-scale production. Researchers and students who are ready to launch a tech startup have a cost-friendly option just a few steps from their on-campus labs.

Our wet labs are equipped with fume hood with water/air/vacuum supply, benchtop workspaces, storage cabinets, sink, and safety features including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. These facilities ensure that a wet lab can safely and effectively support a wide range of experimental activities.

Located in the Bevill Building on the north end of the University of Alabama campus, near the Student Center, EDGE Labs is a key component of UA’s efforts to foster regional entrepreneurship and economic development.

EDGE Labs is closely interconnected with The EDGE, the coworking and collaboration space that is the result of a partnership with UA, the City of Tuscaloosa, and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. Resources from all three groups come together to help grow a vibrant ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal enterprise.

For more information, contact Dr. Ying Qin at yqin@ua.edu.

720 2nd St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Support for Research-Based Startups

• Learn

  

  From workshops to webinars and live events, there is a stream of ways to expand your knowledge in technology commercialization and entrepreneurship.

• Non-Dilutive Seed Funds

  

  Speed your startup’s progress by pursing a variety of regional and national funding paths: NSF I-Corps Teams, SBIR/STTR, Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant, and more.

• Grow

  

  Grow your venture by taking advantage of support services like entrepreneurial mentors, networking opportunities, Entrepreneur Resource Groups (ERGs), sponsored research programs to help your startup thrive.

Incubating Companies

JAQ Energy LLC

Solving energy availability anxiety and security for electrified transportation and other applications through developing Wirelessly Enabled and Distributed Energy Storage (WEDES) Systems.

J-TECH LLC

Specializing in electrified environmental technologies, aiming to treat septic tank effluent to non-potable reuse standards.

Steps to Incubation at EDGE Labs

1. Initial Contact:  Reach out to Dr. Ying Qin to inquire about space availability and determine if your startup is a potential fit for the EDGE Labs incubator.
2. Invite for Application: If your startup is deemed a good fit for the incubator, you will be invited to submit a formal application and provide supporting documents. 
3. Evaluation & Approval:  The submitted application will be evaluated and approved by the Office for Research and Economic Development (ORED).
4. Finalize and Incubate: Upon approval, a Facility Use Agreement (FUA) will be signed and executed, officially starting your incubation at EDGE Labs.

A New Home for Builders, Creators, and Visionaries