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We are proud to announce the third cohort of the Max Stenbeck Venture Equity Program, which continues to build on our mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation within our community. The program aims to help NYU founders committed to diversity, equity and inclusion learn the fundamentals of fundraising, to help them assess whether venture funding is a fit for their startup and if so, to equip them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the fundraising process successfully.
This year’s cohort consists of faculty, staff and student-led ventures from across 12 different schools at NYU, all tackling significant challenges with innovative solutions in various industries.
From the end of this October through mid December, the founders of these ventures will take part in four invite-only workshops with venture capital investors and seasoned founders. The sessions will be led by the NYU’s Innovation Venture Fund team, startup lawyers, VCs, and venture-backed founders. Confirmed speakers include founders of Dathic, Vital Audio, Baton, Mavity and Resist Nutrition as well as investors from 500 Startups, Techstars, 2048 Ventures, NVP Capital, Saka VC, and Republic, legal guidance from Brown Rudnick, and our partners at Gray Ink.
Please meet the first cohort of ventures in the Max Stenbeck Venture Equity Program:
Intoit
Intoit is a nightlife discovery platform designed to help young adults new to New York City explore bars and nightlife through real-time updates. The platform targets users aged 21-30 and aims to simplify the urban social experience by making it easier to find and explore nightlife options.
Founders: Nick Bekos (Stern ‘24), Ansh Jhaveri (CAS ‘24)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Summer Launchpad
Synaptrix Labs
Synaptrix is developing Neuralis™, a patent-pending wearable device that allows paralyzed individuals to control their wheelchairs using brain activity. Synaptrix aims to create a suite of neurotechnology devices that can augment human abilities and empower individuals with disabilities to live more independently.
Founders: Aryan Govil (CAS ‘24), Eric Yao (CAS ‘24)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Summer Launchpad
Dryva
Dryva offers a subscription software service designed to support local taxi, limo, and courier services in small towns and suburban areas. Dryva provides these operators with the technology they need to compete with larger rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft, helping them meet the demands of today’s travelers.
Founders: David Lee (Schack ‘26)
FinOptima Solutions
FinOptima Solutions provides a synthetic fraud detection platform for small to mid-sized financial institutions, including credit unions and fintech companies. Using AI and a collaborative consortium model, FinOptima helps prevent fraud in real-time, ensuring a secure and efficient onboarding process for customers.
Founders: Anat Goldstein (Stern ‘24)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint
Amrap
Amrap is revolutionizing the fitness industry by offering a conversational AI personal trainer that guides beginner gym-goers through their workouts. By providing personalized coaching without the high cost of traditional personal trainers, Amrap helps users stay motivated and on track to achieve their fitness goals.
Founders: Felipe de Sande Palma (SPS ‘24), Ignacio de Sande Palma
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint
Surge Medical
Surge Medical is tackling inefficiencies in healthcare staffing with its digital platform that streamlines physician credentialing and job matching with hospitals. By simplifying the credentialing process, Surge reduces staffing delays, giving physicians and hospitals more flexibility and autonomy.
Founders: Maria Iliakova (Stern ‘25), Colton Margus (Stern ‘24), Steve Wang
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp
Mestiere
Mestiere is building an AI-powered B2B marketplace and project management platform that connects US interior designers and architects with global furniture craftsmen for bespoke projects. Mestiere helps designers source and manage custom orders, while artisans expand their market reach.
Founders: Clara Viale (Stern ‘24), Elisa Cadamuro
Context
Context is an AI-powered learning platform that adapts to the needs of students with ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia. Context provides a personalized learning experience, allowing students to overcome challenges and excel in their educational journeys.
Founders: Dror Margalit (Tisch ‘24), Somya Gupta (Tandon ‘25)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Summer Launchpad
Manglovo Health
Manglovo Health is developing a non-steroidal female birth control pill called The Zill, which offers improved tolerability and fewer side effects, empowering women to take control of their reproductive health with confidence.
Founders: Mehek Bapna (CAS ‘23)
Loopini
Loopini Inc offers a premium, clean-label frozen pizza line for health-conscious consumers. Loopini aims to provide a nutritious, protein-packed, low-carb alternative to traditional frozen pizzas, catering to consumers looking for healthier options without sacrificing taste.
Founders: Damiano Messineo (CAS ‘23), Daniella Pacciardi
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint
Niura
Niura develops Focus-Sensing Earbuds designed to help graduate students and early-career professionals manage their workloads and time more efficiently. By providing tools to optimize focus and productivity, Niura aims to make intense work environments more manageable.
Founders: Shahriar Huda (Tandon ‘26), Pari Patel, Ryan Ahmed, Authoy Das
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Summer Launchpad
Leora Legal
Leora Legal is creating a marketplace that connects individuals and small businesses with the right lawyers for their specific needs. The platform also helps lawyers find clients they are best positioned to serve, ensuring a more efficient and effective legal process for all parties involved.
Founders: Maximillian Slavin (GSAS ‘24), Verena Podolskaia (GSAS ‘25)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Summer Launchpad
MoveMend
MoveMend is a gamified exercise platform designed to help hospitalized patients recover more quickly. By making rehabilitation exercises more engaging and fun, MoveMend helps hospitals improve productivity and patient outcomes.
Founders: Gabrielle Berne (Langone)
Participated In: Technology Venture Workshop, Female Founders Fellowship
Psy Mod
PsyMod is developing an AI-powered tool to assist physicians in reducing uncertainty when selecting first-line treatments for depression. With depression treatments often being a trial-and-error process, PsyMod aims to streamline decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
Founders: Valentina Vencato
Participated In: Technology Venture Workshop, Female Founders Circle
Endire Eyewear
Endire Eyewear offers bold, stylish eyewear designed for Black and Brown individuals with low nose bridges. The brand’s mission is to provide eyewear that not only looks great but also fits comfortably, addressing a significant gap in the eyewear market.
Founders: Tolulope Ojo (Tandon ‘23)
Participated In: Startup Bootcamp, Startup Sprint, Female Founders Circle
Honoring Max Stenbeck's Legacy
The Max Stenbeck Venture Equity Program honors the life and legacy of entrepreneur and philanthropist Max Stenbeck. Max Stenbeck was a passionate believer in technology for good, as well as an advocate for equal opportunities and for the rights of vulnerable children. The Max Stenbeck Charitable Fund will continue to give back in his legacy, including through the generous support of the Max Stenbeck Venture Equity Program at NYU.
