Tech Venture Program (for faculty/PhD/researchers)

In Fall 2020, the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute introduced a new series of programs to better support and accelerate the pace of technology commercialization by our faculty, PhD students, postdocs, and researchers. The Technology Venture Program (TVP) is a three-part sequenced venture development program which provides grant funding of up to $101,000 in total (across all three phases) to participating project teams. The Tech Venture Program introduces participants to technology commercialization best practices embraced by venture capitalists, startup accelerators, and federal agencies including the NSF, NIH, DOD, and others.

Apply for the Tech Venture Workshop and/or NSF I-Corps, check back for the next Tech Venture Accelerator dates, or reach out to entrepreneur@nyu.edu with questions.

  • Tell Me More

    The Tech Venture Program is a three-phased program at NYU, which provides sequenced skill building, grant funding, and advisement (from entrepreneurs/investors) to help faculty turn their research projects into viable startup ventures. The Tech Venture Program is held in partnership with the National Science Foundation.

    Who It's For

    The Tech Venture Program is open to any NYU full time/research faculty or researcher-led teams from across NYU who are interested in commercializing new scientifically driven research developed at NYU in fields including biotech/life sciences, computer science including ML/AI, AR/VR, robotics, blockchain, material science, photonics, electronics, and quantum computing, among others. Project teams are welcome to include students (PhD/student researchers), postdocs, and/or collaborators from outside NYU. No prior business or startup experience is necessary.

    What You Can Expect

    Learn more about each of the three phases of the Tech Venture Program.

    Phase 1: Tech Venture Workshop (TVW)

    A three-half-day immersive program where faculty and their teams learn how to test the commercial potential of their research projects directly with customers and partners. The Workshop is held 3-4 times throughout the year.

    • What you'll learn/accomplish: Explore the potential market opportunity for your research/invention, engage with potential customers, and learn about how to protect your intellectual property.
    • Who it's led by: The Directors and Principals of NYU's Entrepreneurial Institute and Innovation Venture Fund.
    • Funding: Receive a $1,000 grant (for reimbursable expenses), and qualify for Phase II of the TVP - NSF's I-Corps Program.
    • Spring '23 TVW Cohort 1 program dates (applicants must attend all three days, which will take place via Zoom):
      • Wednesday, Feb. 22, 9am-2pm ET
      • Wednesday, March 1, 9am-2pm ET
      • Wednesday, March 8, 9am-2pm ET
      • NOTE: Another Workshop will be held later in 2023.

    Phase 2: NSF I-Corps

    A seven-week intensive program where project teams conduct rigorous customer discovery and development, to solidify the target market for their commercial venture. NSF I-Corps is held 12 times a year.

    • What you'll learn/accomplish: Further refining your idea to identify the right target market, build relationships with customers, and develop a business model, to make your project market ready and/or to develop a new technology to fill a market need.
    • Who it's led by: The instructors at the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program.
    • Funding: Receive a $50,000 grant from the NSF, and qualify for Phase III of the TVP - the Tech Venture Accelerator.
    • Program dates: The NSF runs at least three cohorts a quarter, at sites around the country. More details on the NSF I-Corps Teams page.
    • Application deadline: Applications are rolling. If you're interested in applying please attend an upcoming info session (see calendar above)
    • Prerequisite: Applicants must either have a prior NSF award, complete a Tech Venture Workshop (which is considered a "regional I-Corps program"), or both. Learn more about the requirements here.

    Phase 3: Tech Venture Accelerator (TVA)

    A six-month program where project teams build out their startup business models, begin to acquire customers, and prepare for fundraising. The Accelerator is held approximately once a year.

    • What you'll learn/accomplish: Solidify your business model (revenue streams, cost structures, customer relationships, key partnerships and more), develop your go-to-market strategy, and receive guidance while you begin to acquire customers or otherwise advance your venture and technology in preparation for launch. Explore/prepare for fundraising via monthly meetings with venture capital investors, and dedicated support to apply for SBIR/STTR grants.
    • Who it's led by: The Directors and Principals of NYU's Entrepreneurial Institute and Innovation Venture Fund, as well as expert entrepreneur mentors and venture capitalists from around the country
    • Funding: Receive a $50,000 grant from the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute
    • 2023 TVA Cohort program dates: The Tech Venture Accelerator will be held from the beginning of February through May. Sign up for our Deep & Bio Tech Newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming info sessions and application deadlines for the next cohort.
    • Prerequisite: Applicants must have completed NSF I-Corps (or an equivalent program such as NIH I-Corps)