NYU fosters a University-wide startup ecosystem that encourages multi-disciplinary collaboration, accelerates innovation, and cultivates the next generation of startup leaders. The University's team of startup experts offer educational programming and events, industry-specific resources, and funding support to help inspire, educate, connect, and accelerate entrepreneurs from across NYU.
We help start up startups. By guiding entrepreneurs, inspiring would-be entrepreneurs, and cross-pollinating students and faculty from different disciplines, we are at the center of a startup ecosystem designed to transform brilliant ideas into successful commercial solutions. Since the founding of the NYU Innovation Venture Fund in 2010, we have accelerated the pace of technology commercialization and helped launch successful startups founded by our talented community of students, faculty, and researchers.
The NYU Entrepreneurial Institute leads University-wide initiatives to launch successful startups and commercialize technology created by NYU’s 60,000 students, faculty and researchers. We are team of startup experts that offers educational programming and events, and help identify funding opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Leslie eLabThe Mark and Debra Leslie Entrepreneurs Lab is a 6,800 sq-ft space where entrepreneurs from across NYU can connect, collaborate, and explore how to turn ideas and inventions into startups. The Leslie eLab offers vast array of resources available to the NYU community.
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Alison currently serves as development officer at NYU, raising support for the University’s Provostial Initiatives, including the Entrepreneurial Institute. She received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University, majoring in Human Development. Alison went on to receive a Masters degree in nonprofit management from the Milano Graduate School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy at the New School.
Andy is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Entrepreneurial Institute, and Director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at NYU. He founded Lean Launch Ventures, a tech accelerator, invested, advised and trained other entrepreneurs, has founded and sold a technology startup, and is a member of the New York CTO club. Previously, he spent 17 years at Microsoft where he launched/managed several businesses.
Carol provides graphic design and marketing creatives support for the Institute team. She graduated from NYU Steinhardt, with a major in Media, Culture, and Communication and a minor in Web Development and Applications. She is a graphic and UI/UX designer, and a vintage camera enthusiast.
Dee is a Venture Associate for the NYU Innovation Venture Fund, focusing on investment opportunities in life science and healthcare. Prior to joining the Fund, Dee did product development and intellectual property strategy in therapeutics and diagnostics for Ludwig Cancer Research. Dee holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics /Developmental Biology from Columbia University.
Desiree Frieson is the Program Manager for Blackstone LaunchPad at NYU, focusing on matching startup coaches with NYU entrepreneurs. She is the lead organizer with 3 Day Startup, a nonprofit organization teaching entrepreneurial skills to university students. Desiree worked with NeighborWorks America prior to joining the Entrepreneurial Institute.
As the Marketing and Communications Manager, Fiona leverages her 10+ years of marketing, communications, and editorial experience to support the Institute's programs. She has worked in the tech startup, transportation, education, and sustainability sectors, including with companies like Zipcar and Scholastic. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management and in her free time, Fiona tells stories through her writing.
Frank heads the Entrepreneurial Institute and is the Managing Director of the NYU Innovation Venture Fund which invests in early stage NYU startups. He is a member of the national teaching team for the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program and an Adjunct Faculty at the NYU School of Engineering. He has been a venture capitalist for over 15 years.
Jen is the Operations Manager at the Entrepreneurial Institute, where she oversees the Leslie eLab operations and provides administrative support for the Institute's senior leadership. She is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and recently worked at the UN World Food Programme. Jen holds an M.A. in International Relations from St. John’s University.
Rebecca serves as the Assistant Director of the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute, where she leads operations and major programs, and supports entrepreneurs focused on socio-environmental challenges. Rebecca is also adjunct faculty at both the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School for Design, teaching entrepreneurship, design and sustainability.
Sarah is the Program Manager for the Entrepreneurial Institute where she builds technical programming and grows external partnerships. Prior to joining the Institute, Sarah worked at General Assembly and Stanford University. Sarah holds an M.A. in Comparative International Education from Columbia University.
Addie is pursuing a M.S. in Integrated Marketing with a concentration in Marketing Analytics. Prior to studying at NYU, Addie travelled to 14 countries and worked for Airbnb, concentrating on developing the first host database in China. Previously, she was an investment associate at her university’s venture fund. Gaining business insights through the due diligence process, interacting with entrepreneurs worldwide, and watching their company grow all motivated Addie to continuously dedicate her efforts to entrepreneurship.
Amar is an Innovation Venture Fund Fellow and founder of Levitas, a startup that creates patient monitoring systems for hospitals and nursing homes. He is an electrical engineering and computer engineering student at Tandon graduating this Fall. When he's not at the Leslie eLab, he can be found on a rooftop in Brooklyn.
Franklin is an undergrad at SPS and is studying Hospitality and Tourism. He has always been on the edge of technology and has received recognition for being the youngest FAA certified Private Pilot in Southern California. Franklin spend his free time making 3D printed and laser engraved prototypes with the goal of making life more efficient. Franklin is meticulous in his acts and truly believes that "it's about the little things in life that matters the most." He is passionate about entrepreneurship and aspires to own his own hotel chain.
Kate is a CAS student majoring in Economics and minoring in Computer Science and Math. She is excited by the entrepreneurial world and she completed the Summer Launchpad program this summer to try and startup her own venture. Kate loves to travel and everything to do with discovering new places. Her suitcase is always packed in case an adventure comes along.
Mithru is a graduate student at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program. In the past, he has taught prototyping workshops, given talks and presented his work at conferences around the world. Prior to moving to New York, he developed hardware and software for marketing campaigns for world-renowned clients. Mithru is currently an active member of NYU's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Association's board (EIA) where he helps with partnerships.
Nikita is a graduate student working towards her Marketing Analytics degree at NYU. Previously, she interned with Aramark, Ogilvy & Mather, and Prime Focus World. Her interest in social entrepreneurship emerged from her work in the nonprofit sector at AIESEC where she led a team of over 400 student volunteers from 66 countries. This Star Wars fanatic is a singer, athlete, and a big time foodie who can often be found listening to Pink Floyd or Eminem.
Selam is an undergraduate Opportunity Programs scholar at NYU, studying computer science on the premedical track. She currently does research in the Physics department on building microswimmers. Outside of academics, Selam is a part of Phi Delta Epsilon, a pre-professional medical fraternity as well as Chair of Development for Kinetic Global. When she isn’t in class or working, she enjoys going to museums, roaming the city, and listening to The Weekend.
Tim is a junior at Gallatin from Almaty, Kazakhstan. During his first year at NYU, he served as the class president and founded Fit AI, a sports tech startup developing a strength training optimization system for sports teams. Tim loves all things entrepreneurship and is also the president of InnoVention Society, a Tandon club that helps NYU engineers understand the path from idea to product to startup.
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Dean (Stern ’80) is the Founder of Dong-A PharmTech Co. Ltd. and serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and served as CEO and/or president of a string of successful international companies.
Dr. Swartz (CAS '00) is a biopharmaceutical executive with 7+ years of experience in strategic advising, R&D, commercialization, and business development. She is a leading expert in regenerative medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and pain, and is a member of NYU's Board of Trustees.
Dr. Nedal Shami (CAS '00) is a Co-Founder and the Chief Strategy Officer of CityMD Urgent Care. He has served in several academic and administrative roles, with appointments at both Saint Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital and The Valley Hospital. He continues to serve as an associate professor at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Paul (Chairman) is the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Senior Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Entrepreneurship, Tandon School of Engineering, responsible for providing University-wide leadership in advancing research at NYU. He was named NYU Distinguished Scientist in Residence in 2007.
Jeffrey is the Chairman and CEO of Liquidity Works, a venture capital and strategic advisory firm. He is a serial entrepreneur having founded Whitemarsh Industries and Turbochef Technologies. He is a founder of the World Championship of Ping Pong and several other sports content ventures.
Steve (Tisch '84) is a gaming industry expert, investor, and serial entrepreneur. He was co-founder and CEO of digital games and database marketing platform developer LuckyLabs, which was acquired by InfoScout, Inc. in 2014. Steven has also been a Director, Advisor and investor in various media, tech, consumer products and financial services companies.
