Our Approach
1 Real-World Housing Impacts
Whether supporting ventures from start to scale, launching tools for policy decision-making, or modernizing construction methods, our work aims to spur innovation to fundamentally and equitably improve the housing market.
2 Collaboration for Collective Change
Our work brings together a diverse and energized community of change-makers, ranging from entrepreneurs, experts, and investors to our partners in communities, government, and private industry.
3 Policy and Practice Expertise
As a sister organization of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley, we draw on rigorous research and policy expertise to select promising innovators and guide them toward the highest impact. In return, the solutions we field serve to inform better future research and policies.
Timeline
2015
Terner Center Founded
The Terner Center for Housing Innovation is founded at UC Berkeley with the mantra “No Limits.” It is named for Don Terner, a visionary leader in addressing California’s housing challenges. Read more about Don Terner.
2019
Housing Venture Lab Launches
Terner Center launches the Housing Venture Lab, an accelerator to support early-stage ventures innovating in housing affordability.
2020
Terner Labs Founded
Terner Labs was founded as an independent 501c3 to complement the work of the Terner Center. The founding focus was to grow the Housing Venture Lab program, which became a part of the nonprofit, and to launch aligned initiatives to scale technology and construction innovation to address the toughest housing challenges.
2022
Data Solutions Lab Launches
Terner Labs’ Data Solutions Lab launches its Housing Supply Simulator in Los Angeles, helping leadership in the planning department refine housing policy decisions.
2023
Housing Venture Lab Grows
The Housing Venture Lab’s portfolio grows to over twenty organizations with the start of the fourth cohort. Alumni raise over $490M to accomplish their goals.
2024
Builders Lab Launches
Our second accelerator program, the Builders Lab, launches to support innovators in architecture, engineering, construction, and design.
Our Team
Our Supporters
- Andrew Sutherland
- Brad Blackwell
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Howard & Irene Levine Family Foundation
- Ivory Foundation
- Jordan Moss
- Payette River Foundation
- Michael Covarrubias
- Peter & Christy Palmisano
- Sobrato Foundation
- San Diego Regional Policy Innovation Council
- Meta
- The Ballmer Group
- Wells Fargo Foundation
- Weingart Foundation
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- JD Ross
- Open Philanthropy
- Union Bank
- Bill Falik
Careers
Join Our Team
Terner Labs is currently hiring Graduate Student Fellows for our Housing Venture Lab and Builders Lab accelerator programs. Learn more at the links below.
Housing Venture Lab Graduate Student Fellows
Builders Lab Graduate Student Fellow
