2150 iLAB Research & Knowledge Hub

Global Headquarters · Research & Knowledge Hub

Problems to products. Solutions to startups. Local ideas to global impact.

The iLAB Network

Local.
Global.

2150 serves as the headquarters and development space for every iLAB. Each line leads to a campus think tank. Tap a live campus to visit it.

Live campus. Tap to visit.

Launching Fall 2026

Coming soon

Global partner

Now liveGreenville iLABgreenvillegrowing.org

Global HQ

Birmingham, AL

GreenvilleLive now ↗StillmanFall 2026 ↗

JSUComing soon

VoorheesComing soon

ASUFall 2026 ↗MilesFall 2026 ↗EDUrainFall 2026 ↗AAMUFall 2026 ↗FAMULive now ↗TuskegeeLive now ↗

Chicago StateComing soon

Jarvis ChristianFall 2026 ↗

LSE GeneratorLondon · Global

What the iLAB is

A problem-solving think tank, powered by students, researchers, and industry.

The 2150 iLAB originates, de-risks, and scales catalytic projects, products, and services. HBCU student and faculty talent works on real challenges brought by industry partners in high-growth sectors. 2150 provides expert resources, founder coaching, and funder investment pathways.

Problems to products

Students, researchers, and subject matter experts originate and de-risk innovative projects and products.

Solutions to startups

Promising solutions gain a clear path to scalable projects, products, services, and entrepreneurial growth.

Local ideas to global impact

Catalytic projects translate local innovation into businesses and influence with worldwide reach.

The transformation model

Real problems become sustainable businesses.

Real problems

Student ideas

Funded projects

Sustainable businesses

This is not hypothetical. It is the pathway we are building across industries and challenges. Students, professors, and alumni are not just completing projects. They are earning credentials and empowering their communities.

Sector iLABs

Eight sector-focused labs.

Choose an existing sector or propose a co-branded think tank inside 2150.

Decision Intelligence

Applied AI for institutions

Applied AI for problem-solving across government, corporate, healthcare, and education.

Retail

Commerce, logistics, supply chain

E-commerce and B2B data analytics for logistics and supply-chain solutions.

Finance

Fintech and inclusive growth

Fintech, banking accessibility, and financial inclusion in HBCU communities.

Manufacturing

With Mercedes-Benz

Precision agriculture and food security, anchored by Mercedes-Benz.

Infrastructure

With Macquarie Group

Smart cities and P3 knowledge with Macquarie Group and the P3 Knowledge Center.

Energy

With Alabama Power and LSE

Climate and environmental justice, hosted with Alabama Power and LSE.

Public Policy

With Mindset, at the National Press Club

Policy innovation convened at the National Press Club and powered with Mindset.

Entertainment

Media, music, and the creative economy

Media, music, and the creative economy, connecting cultural ideas to scalable ventures and global audiences.

Program core strategy

Vision, mission, teams, impact.

Vision

Design and develop large-scale transformative solutions from local ideas that grow people and places.

Mission

Operate think tanks through structured innovation powered by student and professor talent.

Teams

HBCU teams collaborate with partnered iLABs in Energy, Infrastructure, Public Policy, and Manufacturing.

Impact

Align operational scale with disciplined talent, validated data, and enterprise integration.

500+

Students annually

Gaining cutting-edge skills and direct employment pathways.

100+

Faculty

Developing research capability and increased grant funding.

$2M

Annual institutional revenue

Projected per institution by year three through multiple revenue streams.

Program structure

Three phases over 24 months.

Foundation building

Months 1–6

Hub operations, campus center selections, and Foundations and Advanced cohort training.

Program launch & expansion

Months 6–12

Data and insights design, corporate challenge projects, MVP testing, and pilots.

Scale & sustainability

Months 12–24

Legal, accounting, marketing, subject matter coaching, and business launch.

Join an iLAB

Three pathways in. Or propose your own.

Choose your pathway and submit your intake. It goes straight to the 2150 team.

Track 01 · Emerging Talent

Student Researcher

Learn inside a live think tank.

HBCU and partner-institution students who want hands-on research inside a working iLAB.

Semester or year-long fellowship

Placement into a sector iLAB
Faculty and industry mentors
Direct pipeline into 2150 founder and funder circles

Track 02 · Faculty & Research

Researcher / Principal Investigator

Lead the inquiry.

Faculty, postdocs, and independent researchers ready to lead or co-lead an iLAB workstream.

1–3 year appointment

Co-authored white papers
Corporate datasets, testbeds, and pilots
Grant-writing support

Track 03 · Industry Partners

Corporate Partner

Bring the problem. We bring the network.

Corporations, foundations, and agencies that want to sponsor, co-brand, or launch an iLAB.

Multi-year partnership

Co-branded sector iLAB
Direct access to HBCU research talent
Applied R&D on live problems

Propose a new lab

Launch a new think tank inside 2150.

Anchored by an HBCU, funded by a sponsor, or led by a faculty PI. We co-design it with you.

Go deeper

The full iLAB story.

Download the deck and one-pager to share the iLAB model with your campus, team, or partners.