Columbia University

Technology Ventures

Start a Company

CTV is involved in the launch of 20+ patent-based startups each year, and offers advantageous terms for university startups. If you are a faculty member thinking of a startup, you are invited to work with your CTV Technology Licensing Officer, or email [email protected] for more information. We look forward to working with you.

For Columbia startups in development, we offer the resources below. An additional comprehensive list of on-campus resources available to startups is provided by Columbia Entrepreneurship. 

CTV Executives in Residence (XIRs)

CTV’s Executive in Residence (XIR) Program aims to connect Columbia inventors and technologies with seasoned industry executives, venture capitalists, and serial entrepreneurs. By doing so, we hope to leverage the deep domain expertise of these individuals to help accelerate the path of these promising technologies towards market success. XIRs are encouraged to develop close ties with our inventors, entrepreneurs, and technology transfer team in order to help Columbia further develop these technologies.

Startup Attorneys

CTV is occasionally asked by technology entrepreneurs for the names of attorneys who are able to represent Columbia startup companies during their formative stages, and in particular during the licensing discussions with CTV. While Columbia does not recommend any particular firm nor require the use of any of these firms, listed below are some firms that represent that they:

  • Have an entrepreneurship practice able to fulfill the needs of most startup companies (i.e., formation as a Delaware corporation; bylaws; issuance of founder’s stock; creation of equity incentive plan and initial option grant; related securities laws filings; standard forms for consulting, advisory board agreements, proprietary information, assignment of inventions; set-up of minute book and stock ledger; coordination with patent counsel; experience negotiating license agreements for early-stage IP);
  • Have attorneys with experience in both physical sciences and health sciences; and
  • Offer a fixed fee or deferred fee deal for Columbia startup companies, in order to help companies manage their cash burn (please be sure to mention CTV in your outreach)

The list below provides the contact information for the lead partner(s) at each firm.

Startup Insurance Brokers

The firms below are familiar both with the types of policies that most startups need as part of their ongoing business, and also the insurance requirements mandated by university patent license agreements. They can provide a quote for the level of insurance required.

Startup Immigration Lawyers

Alexandria LaunchLabs 

Alexandria LaunchLabs is the premier life science startup platform purpose-built to accelerate the growth of transformative early-stage companies, empowering the advancement of groundbreaking discoveries within Alexandria’s thriving life science ecosystem in New York City. With two locations, the first at Alexandria’s Flagship Center for Life Science New York City campus and the second on Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center campus, LaunchLabs equips early-stage life science companies with dedicated laboratory/office space and core equipment, vital operational services, curated introductions to our preeminent network, access to capital through Alexandria Venture Investments and the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform and expert support from our best-in-class teams — all developed to provide our curated community of member companies with a scalable path for growth. For more information, please visit www.alexandrialaunchlabs.com.

External Accelerator Programs

  • Endless Frontier Labs is a nine-month program focused on maximizing the potential of massively-scalable, science and deep technology startups.
  • ELabNYC teaches business skills and networks participants to start up resources.
  • dlab was founded in 2018 to provide capital and resources to startups who are making an impact in blockchain and other technologies promoting decentralization. Their New York-based program is a collaborative venture between SOSV, The Accelerator VC, and EMURGO, the commercial venture builder for the Cardano ecosystem. dlab's team is made up of investors, product builders, and technology experts from both organizations.
  • Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) combines seed capital, hands-on help and a great co-working location with an expert team to positively impact the trajectory of early-stage startups. ERA runs two, four-month programs per year.
  • Techstars NYC helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses and expand their networks with access to founders, investors, mentors, and industry leaders.
  • Y Combinator provides seed funding for startups. Seed funding is the earliest stage of venture funding. It pays your expenses while you’re getting started.

CTV support for SBIR/STTR applications