2150 Launches Fall 2026 iLAB Network With Corporate and HBCU Partners

What the iLAB network does

According to 2150, the iLAB network aims to connect students, professors and corporate leaders so that ideas and problems become solutions, solutions become startups, and startups become "investable, impactful companies." Every iLAB is technology-focused, applying artificial intelligence, data analytics and emerging technologies to industry and community challenges.

Active ecosystem partners named in the announcement are Alabama Power, Macquarie Group, Coca-Cola and Latimer.ai. The network also includes collaborations with the London School of Economics Generator and the Partnership for Innovation (PIN).

"Our students and professors bring talent and insight that industry needs," said Erskine 'Chuck' Faush, CEO of 2150. He added that 2150 connects that talent with expertise and resources to build practical, long-term solutions for companies and the communities they serve.

Fall research priorities

The announcement lists several research areas and the institutions involved:

• Energy: Stillman College, Alabama State University, Miles College and Tuskegee University.
• Workforce development and readiness: Alabama A&M University with Internably, plus the Coca-Cola mentor-mentee project, which lists a long roster of schools including Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Tuskegee University.
• Rural infrastructure: Jarvis Christian University and Greenville, Alabama's Project Camelia.
• Cultural archives and licensing: Florida A&M University with Latimer.ai.
• Water technology commercialization: Jackson State University.
• AI-enabled multi media production: Miles College.
• Housing: an EDUrain consortium with Jarvis Christian, Morgan State, Fort Valley State, North Carolina Central, Georgia State and North Carolina A&T State universities.

The expansion builds on the Mercedes-Benz, Miles College and Stillman College iLAB, an immersive student engagement hosted by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International CEO Federico Kochlowski, and on Alabama Power's 2025 Energy iLAB, which involved students from five HBCUs.

What corporate partners and participants get

2150 says it works with corporate partners who contribute business challenges, executive expertise, research support and pilot opportunities. According to the organization, these can lead to pathways toward customer relationships, joint development and investment.

Bryson Hannah, a mechanical engineering student at Alabama A&M University, said the iLAB connects students with people who can help turn their ideas into businesses. "For me, it's making entrepreneurship real," he said.

Dr. Preselfannie E. Whitfield McDaniels, provost of Jackson State University, said the university is participating again this year and that "The iLAB connects academic pursuits with real-world application." John Pasmore, founder of Latimer.ai, said collaborations with students and faculty are a valuable part of the company's growth.

Beyond the iLABs

2150 also operates active Foundations and Advanced cohorts. These support Fellows at different stages through immersive learning, mentorship and real-world business development resources. More information is available on the 2150 website under its iLABs page.

For companies, the model offers a structured way to bring real business challenges to university teams and to test pilots. For students and faculty, it offers direct contact with industry leaders and a route from research to commercial ventures, as described by the organization.