NYU Innovation Venture Fund
Corporate VCNew York · Pre-Seed–Series A · 32 people tracked
Investment thesis
The fund backs early-stage startups whose inventions, discoveries, products, or services were developed in whole or in part at NYU and have reached proof of concept or prototype, positioning them for scaling commercial development and customer acquisition. It does not fund projects still requiring basic research. Making roughly three to four investments per year, it co-invests alongside angel and venture capital partners and provides not only capital but also practical management and marketing coaching. Returns from successful exits are recycled back into the University to finance future ventures. The opportunity is open to startups founded by current students, faculty, and researchers at any NYU school, college, or institute.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 32 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 6 of 10 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×3Healthtech ×2SaaS ×2Biotech ×1Cloud Computing ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Digital Health ×1EdTech ×1
HQs:United States×3
Investments · 10 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathInteractive 3D technology platform for visualizing and understanding the human body and health.
Clarifai developed AI inference technology and compute orchestration software for running and optimizing machine learning models at scale.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureNew York, US
Matthew Zeiler(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAlbert Wenger(Director)
Biopharmaceutical company developing a platform based on recombinant derivatives of botulinum neurotoxin for molecular delivery into neurons.
Thymia builds AI models that assess mental health conditions by combining voice, video, and behavioral data for a multi-modal evaluation.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthFuture of WorkMental HealthSaaS
Programmable single-cell cytology platform with AI-based identification technology for early cancer detection at point of care.
Regenosine is developing a regenerative therapy for osteoarthritis and other indications, based on an intra-articular injection of a proprietary liposomal adenosine formula designed for slow release in joints.
BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices
Affordable, deconstructable, and stylish furniture for modern living, with a buy-back and refurbishment program.
The She Matters Alliance collects insights from pregnant and postpartum mothers to improve maternal health outcomes through partnerships with hospitals and healthcare organizations.
FemTechHealthtechHR TechWellness & FitnessNew York City, US
An online coding platform offering self-paced lessons and project-based courses for middle and high school students to learn web development and programming through hands-on creative applications like video filters and augmented reality.
EdTechSan Francisco, US
Alexandra Diracles(Founder/CEO)Melissa Halfon(Founder/CTO)in
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesRilla · entrepreneur.nyu.edu · Jul 16, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does NYU Innovation Venture Fund invest at?
- NYU Innovation Venture Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is NYU Innovation Venture Fund's typical check size?
- NYU Innovation Venture Fund typically writes checks of $100K – $500K.
- What sectors does NYU Innovation Venture Fund focus on?
- NYU Innovation Venture Fund focuses on Biotech, Cleantech, Energy, Enterprise Software, Medical Devices, New Materials, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is NYU Innovation Venture Fund located?
- NYU Innovation Venture Fund is headquartered in New York, US.
Images
Co-investors · 21
Techstars is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor that funds ambitious founders and provides capital, mentorship, and access to a global network of investors, operators, and corporate partners.
Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm that partners with founders to build technology companies, with a strong current focus on artificial intelligence.
Founders Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in companies building transformative technologies across defense, space, data analytics, and other frontier sectors.
Lightspeed Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm known for backing AI and technology founders, emphasizing deep, hands-on partnerships with the companies it funds.
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm known for backing bold, contrarian bets in world-class teams that can reshape entire industries.
Redpoint Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 1999 by former partners from leading venture firms, focusing on early-stage technology companies across multiple sectors. The firm leverages its partners' technology investment experience and an extensive network of entrepreneurs and industry contacts to support portfolio company growth.
Founder Collective is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on seed and pre-seed investments across all sectors.
Kleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm that backs founders across technology and life sciences, with a portfolio of companies from early stage through growth.
Foundation Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in companies at their earliest, most formative stages, with a strong belief in the transformative power of design.
Lookout Ventures provides seed-stage funding to enterprise technology companies outside Silicon Valley, with partner expertise in AI, cybersecurity, infrastructure software, and vertical SaaS.
Flybridge Capital Partners is an early-stage venture firm that backs founders, frequently at inception, with a focus on AI-native software and infrastructure.
Stellar Capital invests in founders building software, internet, and technology companies.
▶9 more co-investors
Bowery CapitalKindred VenturesEntrepreneur FirstArray Ventures Management LlcSaga VenturesEarl Grey CapitalEXPONENT FOUNDERS CAPITALS28 CapitalPlaid
Firms observed investing alongside NYU Innovation Venture Fund, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with NYU Innovation Venture Fund's recorded portfolio.
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