01/30/2026
A reminder that applications for the 2026 Startup Columbia venture competition are open now through February 3! This year, there are additional prizes to check out - learn more through the link in bio and below:
The Helen Gurley Brown (HGB) Foundation Prize provides up to $25,000 in non-dilutive funding to ventures founded or co-founded by one or more Columbia University students. The Prize supports entrepreneurs participating in the 2026 Startup Columbia venture competition who are prepared to turn their ventures into real, scalable businesses within six months. Grounded in the HGB Foundation’s mission of inspiring and sparking innovation, the Prize honors Helen Gurley Brown’s legacy by backing bold founders who are redefining what’s possible.
The Columbia Data Science Institute (DSI) AI Prize awards grants of up to $15,000 to a Columbia University start-up founder or founding team whose start-up demonstrates exceptional innovation in AI. To be eligible, you must be a current Columbia University student and participate in any of the campus-wide Startup Columbia venture competitions in 2026.
Rooted in DSI’s mission, this prize supports ventures that use AI to drive positive societal impact, advance ethical and responsible innovation, and turn data insights into real-world solutions.
