Global Innovation Exchange

Global Innovation Exchange is the University of Washington’s
engineering + business institute for emerging and established
technology leaders.

The University of Washington’s Global Innovation Exchange (GIX), a joint initiative of UW’s College of Engineering and Foster School of Business, is located at the epicenter of Seattle’s dynamic technology ecosystem in Bellevue, Washington.

Meet our Partners

Located in Seattle’s dynamic ecosystem, GIX provides unparalleled access to the world’s foremost technology companies, industry experts, and professional mentors.

Discover our Spaces

Custom-built for GIX, the Steve Ballmer Building houses comprehensive labs, studios, workshops, and classroom spaces supported by faculty, technical experts, and full-time staff.
The Prototyping Labs at the Global Innovation Exchange

The Makerspace

Fetch Robot

Robotics Lab

The Shops

Hardware Prototyping Lab

Capstone Studio

The Commons

The Makerspace

The Prototyping Labs at the Global Innovation Exchange

The large cooperative work area at the center of the Labs is affectionately called the Makerspace. This area includes worktables, model-making supplies, drawing tools, and a variety of other maker technologies that don’t fit the confines of a specific lab. Students, faculty, staff, and other members of our community interact and collaborate on design and prototyping solutions that address the unique challenges of their projects. Here you can explore form-finding, fabrication, and assembly techniques, and create complex parts and assemblies using computer-controlled equipment.

Robotics Lab

Fetch Robot

The Robotics Lab is a multi-functional workspace that includes individual workstations, electronics workbenches, and mobility and manipulation robots for project use. Here you have access to a variety of robotics platforms and environments to explore human-robot interactions, including robotics pens, multiple Kinova manipulator arms, a drone net, and other tools for creating robotics solutions that can sense, navigate, and manipulate the dynamic world around them.

The Shops

At the heart of the Prototyping Labs students will find a variety of specialized tools and work areas that collectively comprise “The Shops.” Engaging with these facilities, which includes a wood and plastics shop, a milling and machine room, a CNC router room, a paint booth, and a large-format laser, you can learn to manipulate physical materials in three dimensions. Here you can explore form-finding, fabrication, and assembly techniques, and create complex parts and assemblies using computer-controlled equipment.

Hardware Prototyping Lab

The Hardware Prototyping Lab is a dedicated space for developing, testing, and fabricating electronics hardware prototypes. It houses several fully equipped electronic workstations, a full line of printed circuit board (PCB) prototyping equipment, and a library of materials and components available to all users.

Capstone Studio

This 3,500-square-foot studio is designed for up to 20 dedicated group project spaces that aid in unlocking the potential of collaborative work. Each project space is equipped with desks, 27-inch monitors, and large portable whiteboards, fostering an environment where teamwork thrives.

The Commons

The Commons is a large, multi-purpose facility on the main floor of the University of Washington’s Steve Ballmer Building in Bellevue, Washington, offering more 2,700-square-feet of event space for demo days, guest speakers, alumni gatherings, mentor meetups, conferences, and graduation ceremonies.

Consider our Value

icon
Accelerated Career Paths for Emerging Tech Leaders
Career Outcomes
icon
Access to Seattle's Dynamic Tech Ecosystem
Partners
icon
Transformative Project-Based Learning
Projects
icon
Lifelong Connections to Global Innovators
Alumni Network
icon
Global Perspectives and Experiences
Global Tech Experiences
icon
Inclusive and Supportive Community
People

Gain a Global Perspective

Our students broaden their technology horizons through Global Technology Experiences: two-week international summer immersions designed to complement our academic program in engineering, business, and design.

Learn More