Launch Innovations That Are Secure and Scalable
A CMU-partnered innovation lab where agentic systems expertise, cybersecurity, venture networks, and structured mentorship come together to turn research into market-ready products.
Get notified when applications openHow We Launch Innovations
Every project in the Naptic Innovation Lab is backed by a full stack of capabilities: development expertise in agentic systems, cybersecurity and compliance knowledge, and a network that turns prototypes into products.
Agentic Systems Development
Naptic's core expertise in AI-powered automation and agentic systems powers every innovation lab project. We build intelligent systems that solve real business problems.
Security & Compliance Built In
Cybersecurity and compliance are not afterthoughts. SOC 2, FedRAMP, and security testing are integrated into CI/CD pipelines from day one, ensuring every product launches secure.
Venture & Operator Network
Our network of venture capital investors and industry operators helps teams move from prototype to market. From pitch narrative to go-to-market strategy, we connect builders with backers.
Program Structure
A 16-week phased mentorship program that follows the natural zero-to-one product arc. Different industry mentors enter at the moments their expertise is most useful.
Validation + Build
Customer discovery, problem framing, market sizing, MVP hypothesis, sprint execution, user testing, and iteration. Industry mentors guide teams through identifying real problems and building testable solutions.
Traction
Investor-ready pitch narrative, traction metrics, and understanding what investors look for. Venture capital mentors provide focused guidance on positioning and fundraising.
Go-to-Market
User acquisition channels tested, GTM strategy defined, sales motion established, and early customers acquired. Industry operators mentor teams on sales and partnership development.
Demo Day
Live pitch to external audience including investors, CMU faculty, and industry operators. Teams present a working product, traction data, and a clear path forward.
What Students Get
Real Product Deliverables
Ship a working product by Week 10. Present to investors and operators at Demo Day. Graduate with a credible 'I built X with Y users' story for interviews and portfolios.
Industry Mentorship
Work directly with founders, venture capitalists, and industry operators. Mentors step in at the decision points that shape the build, not just on the last day.
Employment Pathways
Top-performing students get first-look opportunities for internships, employment, and continued involvement in the products they helped build. Clear paths from academia to industry.
Equity & Revenue Participation
Commercially viable ideas may continue post-program. Students who help build products that go to market can participate in the upside of what they created.
What We're Building
AI-Powered Automation Agents
Design and implement intelligent agents that automate complex business processes using agentic systems.
Secure Data Processing Workflows
Build privacy-first data processing pipelines that maintain security while enabling AI capabilities, with compliance baked in.
Privacy-First AI Pipelines
Develop innovative solutions for data privacy in AI processing workflows, including redaction, anonymization, and secure computation.
Research Commercialization Tools
Transform academic research insights into functional prototypes that solve genuine business problems and can scale to market.
Meet Your Lead Mentor
The Naptic Innovation Lab exists because we believe the best way to learn is through a real project. Get your hands on the keyboard, develop the go-to-market strategy, see the product through. That is how you learn.
We are building a pipeline that transforms CMU research into commercialized products. Students work on real problems, build real solutions, and have a clear path from capstone to career. Industry mentors provide guidance at every phase — not just on the last day.
This is not a typical internship or a theoretical exercise. You will ship a product. You will pitch to investors. You will work alongside founders, venture capitalists, and industry operators who have done this before.
Applications for the next cohort open soon. Join the list to be notified.