The UC Merced Venture Lab, Modesto works as a vehicle for economic development by providing startup companies with the necessary resources to cultivate their ideas and turn them into healthy sustainable businesses. The Venture Lab provides access to tools companies need in order to be successful. There are many benefits to joining the Venture Lab, among them startups businesses benefit from access to a co-working space, industry leading mentors, legal and accounting assistance, product development, stress reduction workshops, marketing assistance and access to investor networks. Entrepreneurs in the Venture Lab benefit from cross pollination with other ventures as startup companies, and understand that collaboration increases the chance for success. The Venture Lab Network is open to UC Merced faculty, students, alumni, staff, as well as members in the community.