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CUNY Startups

We help students launch and grow startups. Got an idea? Got a great team? Got what it takes? Find out and join up Have an idea?

Propelling CUNY-made startups

New to entrepreneurship? Our programs will set you on the right path. Explore our Startup Accelerator program and competitions. Created by experienced entrepreneurs, our Accelerator takes you from idea - to customer feedback - to ready for launch. Our competitions allow you to bounce your idea off of other students and push your thinking further.

08/07/2026

The Fall ‘26 New Venture Accelerator 1 is a 100% free, 10 week, hands-on program that turns CUNY students (and recent grads) into Founders.

📍 Program Starts: Fri day, Sep 18 at Baruch College with hybrid workshops & mentor sessions

What Dream Weavers Get:
✨ Team-based strategy & ideation (find your dream co-founders)
🤝 Technical support from TLDP students
🗣 Pitch coaching & storytelling
🤝 Access to founders, mentors & investors
📄 Certificate, prototype & polished business plan

We’re admitting participants on a rolling basis and have already accepted some in April. So, the earlier you submit your app, the better your chances.

🗓️ Deadline: Friday, August 28

Stop Dreaming and Start Weaving. Learn more and apply here: https://cunystartups.com/accelerator/

07/31/2026

You can turn nail artistry into a thriving community space. Meet Mariah Skye, founder and CEO of Got You Polished.
In our latest episode, Mariah shares how she started her business from her grandparent’s home during the Covid-19 pandemic and navigated the solo founder journey to open her Brooklyn salon.

In this episode, you’ll learn...
• How she built Got You Polished from the ground up and brings community to the NYC salon culture
• A step-by-step nail art tutorial
• How she uses her business as a platform for youth programs, educational workshops, and giving back

Watch the tutorial, hear her inspiring story, and catch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kmFqL6MS0UA

07/24/2026

Meet Tiffany Wu, Baruch College ’23 alumna and founder of Duckingnice.
In our latest episode, Tiffany talks about how she combines her traditional fine arts background, with her Entrepreneurship degree, and uses digital sketches to scale her clothing and accessories brand.

In this episode, you’ll learn...
• Why she started Duckingnice in her junior year (and the reason is super adorable)
• A step-by-step iPad art tutorial where she shows you how her creative vision comes to life
• How to use design skills to seamlessly negotiate with manufacturers

Explore the digital art, stay updated on her journey, and listen to the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nd5iIm6o3O0

07/17/2026

As a finance student, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) NYC Fellow, and risk-taking entrepreneur, Mehran is turning complex data into a global vision by merging artificial intelligence with financial strategy. He’s analyzed high-stakes private equity deals and approached entrepreneurship with resilience. Today, he’s bending the boundaries between balancing a rigorous finance degree, mastering the startup landscape, which entails hands-on experience in AI workflow optimization, private equity, and product growth. And still makes time to enjoy the small things in life, like time with his family and friends.

In this episode, we also dive into the power of mentorship and professional development with a special segment highlighting the SEO NYC program. We sat down with SEO Counselor, Richard McCalmont to discuss how the program grooms the next generation of diverse leaders.

Tune in to hear how Mehran:
👉leveraged the SEO program to accelerate his career in finance and tech
👉founded a consulting business that successfully scaled digital products to millions of global users
👉balances heavy coursework at Baruch with demanding private equity internships and tech ventures

Explore the future of finance, stay updated on his journey, and listen to the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FLv4F0YfISM

07/10/2026

Meet Sophie, a Tokyo-Born Visionary Refining Global Beauty🪞💄💋
As a makeup artist and student pursuing her BBA in International Business, Sophie is turning her passion for cosmetics into a global vision by blending artistry with strategy.

From her early days assisting her aunt and founder of Walker Wear, Sophie’s interest in entrepreneurship was ignited early. Today, she’s navigating the fast-paced NYC business and fashion scenes, while building her own freelance makeup career that spans high-energy fashion shows, editorial shoots, and film. She’s blending the boundaries between balancing a full-time business degree and mastering the industry, which entails hands-on experience in artistry, client experience, and marketing.

Explore the Contour Chronicles, stay updated on her journey, and listen to her interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mo2birdQ0EE

05/20/2026

When we empower student founders, we help them launch startups and invest in bright new perspectives and impactful ideas that help shape our communities.

If you missed it, or want to relive the thoughtful business pitches, check out our 2026 CUNY Clash recap video. This year, 14 clever student Ideators from The City University of New York presented with immense strength and confidence.

To every student with an idea: Let this be your sign to start. Your voice and vision deserves to be shared with others.

Watch the recap to catch all the amazing pitches

Recap linked here: https://youtu.be/zpoDLHpjpqQ

05/07/2026

If you missed it, or want to relive the energy and innovation, check out our Spring 2026 New Venture Accelerator 2 Demo Day Recap. This year, 10 talented student teams from The City University of New York fine-tuned their MVPs and investor pitch decks, and presented with strength and confidence during the showcase.

Watch the recap to catch all their amazing pitches and see who won the pitch competition.

Recap linked here: https://youtu.be/BqpYYCjksbM

05/05/2026

The competition was stacked this year, but our Clash Idealists rose to the challenge. Last Friday, 14 bold student entrepreneurs from across The City University of New York delivered powerful pitches aimed at making a real impact in their communities.

Huge congratulations to our top three winners:
1st Place-$10,000: Baruch College student My Anh Phan
2nd Place-$4,000: The City College of New York student Muhammad Hasnain Shabbir
3rd Place-$2,000: Baruch College student Aurora Kerluku

All other finalists walked away with a monetary prize ($360), representing talent at 8 schools: Brooklyn College, York College, Baruch College, City Tech, The City College of New York, The Graduate Center, Macaulay Honors College, and CUNY School of Professional Studies.

Remaining Finalists: Victor Martinez, Bryce Barthuly, Shanice Jones, Basmalla Attia, Ricky Costas-Hernandez, Kenneth Davis III, Ariel Makovoz, Anmol Minhas, Collins Kormey, Jessica Gomez, & Mikhail Fershalov.

This event wouldn’t be possible without our amazing partner Amazon.com and the dedicated volunteer mentors and judges who invested their time in the next generation of innovators. To our in-person judges, Keshell Scipio, Souadou Bah, Joseph Alvarez, Kristin Kenney, Nikhil Mehra & Damir Shavkatov, thank you for your expertise!

Stay tuned! Our recap video is dropping soon on YouTube

04/27/2026

NYHere are the 15 student finalists for the highly anticipated 2026 CUNY Clash Ideas Competition! There's representation from 9 The City University of New York colleges.

Finalists are prepping for their final pitch. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 to make their idea a reality. Show your support by securing your CUNY Clash ticket today. RSVP link closes Wednesday, 4/29.
Free Ticket: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/cuny-startups/cuny-clash-2026

BTW, food will be provided.

04/16/2026

It’s time to stop experimenting in the dark and start brewing a real business. New Venture Accelerator 1 applications are now OPEN!

NVA1 is FREE and the perfect environment to transform that raw potential into liquid gold. CUNY students and recent alumni will turn their ideas into reality through hands-on workshops and mentorship.

Don't wait for the due date, we’re admitting participants on a rolling basis.
⏰Deadline: Friday, April 24

Learn more and apply here: https://cunystartups.com/accelerator/

Address

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Friday	9am - 5am

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http://www.cunystartups.com/

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