Four Cornell Tech-Founded Startups Receive NYCEDC Founder Fellowships
NEW YORK, NY – October 18, 2024 – Four companies that originated in the Cornell Tech Startup Studio have been selected to participate in the Founder Fellowship program offered by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). All the startups were founded by Cornell Tech students during their master’s programs on Roosevelt Island.
The Founder Fellowship, part of NYCEDC’s Venture Access NYC initiative, specifically aims to improve access to capital and networks for underrepresented founders across various tech sectors. Participating teams benefit from custom work plans, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and crucial connections to potential investors and partners. This comprehensive approach supports each startup’s specific needs while creating a supportive community.
The following Cornell Tech startups have been selected as NYCEDC Founder Fellows in the last two years:
- MyLÚA Health: A digital maternal care platform that uses a patient app and a clinician dashboard to predict the risk of pregnancy complications.
- Fig Medical: Uses intelligent automation and predictive analytics to streamline the prior authorization process for healthcare providers.
- Project B: Employs 3D body scans to create custom-fit bras designed for each customer’s unique body shape, manufacturing them on demand.
- Kaveat: An AI-powered contract management platform for the media and entertainment industries that simplifies and automates the contract lifecycle.
“The success of these startups highlights the cooperative and entrepreneurial spirit we nurture at Cornell Tech,” said Josh Hartmann, Chief Practice Officer of Cornell Tech. “By working with NYCEDC’s Venture Access NYC initiative, we are supporting these excellent founders, and we contribute to the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and vibrant tech ecosystem in the city.”
“The fact that four startups are advancing from the Cornell Tech Startup Studio to our Founder Fellowship program shows the talent pipeline that NYCEDC is cultivating in the city’s evolving tech industry,” said Andrew Kimball, President & CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). “Growing businesses in New York City starts with supporting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and at all stages of development. We are looking forward to seeing what these innovative Founder Fellow alumni do next.”
Each of these four startups previously received awards from Cornell Tech. In 2022, MyLÚA Health was awarded the inaugural Siegel Family Endowment PiTech Startup Award, recognizing the company’s positive societal impact. Both Fig Medical and Project B were recognized as award winners in 2023, with Kaveat winning in 2022.
Cornell Tech reached a major milestone in 2023 by spinning out its 100th tech startup, further cementing its role in assisting and promoting the city’s tech ecosystem. With a combined valuation of $695 million and 94% of the companies headquartered in New York City, Cornell Tech startups are integral to New York City’s economy and culture.
On October 16, NYCEDC announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Founder Fellowship program. Applications are open through December 6, 2024, and the Fellowship will begin in March 2025.
