Founder Fellowship: NYC 2025

We’re excited to announce the return of the Founder Fellowship for its fourth year. In collaboration with NYCEDC’s Venture Access NYC initiative, Newlab is set to support a new cohort of 15 climate tech founders from underrepresented communities, providing them with the tools they need to scale their impact.

Fellows will gain access to practical resources through hands-on workshops, connections to industry leaders, and personalized mentoring to help address their specific challenges. Each founder will also benefit from a year-long membership at Newlab Brooklyn and key connections to investors for fundraising support.

Program Benefits

Membership at Newlab Brooklyn

Fellows will be awarded a 12-month Flex II membership (valid for two individuals), which offers access to Newlab’s 84,000 square foot space in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Newlab’s extensive network, and resources that support business growth.

Business Development, Pilot & Investment Opportunities

Newlab collaborates with and invests alongside top-tier funds with deep domain expertise—with an investor and partner network of over 400 organizations, including AlleyCorp, Google X, and New York Angels. Newlab frequently connects member companies with corporate and civic partners for business development opportunities and offers pilot opportunities through our Applied Innovation Studios. Founders will also benefit from a direct connection to our investment team and access to investment opportunities. Additionally, founders will enjoy hands-on business and personal financial planning assistance from our program partner, Bank of America, as well as discounts on software and services.

Collaboration & Community

With a peer community of 250+ companies scaling transformative technology, Newlab fosters an environment of cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with members regularly collaborating on new products. Fellows will receive highly curated 1:1 introductions to mentors, investors, customers, partners, and talent. Newlab also helps members navigate legal, marketing, fundraising, and offers skills-building events, workshops, office hours, and networking-focused gatherings. Founders will also have access to the many high-profile events hosted at Newlab, such as New Climate Futures.

Prototyping & Product Realization

Newlab provides extensive facilities for prototyping and product realization. Members have 24-hour access and each shop contains state-of-the-art equipment designed to facilitate the product development workflow—from idea to design to a working prototype. Onsite prototyping resources include 3D printing, CNC milling, wood and metal shops, casting and finishing, textiles, electronics, and more.We encourage early-stage companies founded by entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds that are working on urban tech solutions to apply. Examples of urban tech solutions include transformative technologies applied to Climate Change, Energy, Circular Economy, GovTech, Public Health, Safety, Mobility, Transportation, Agriculture, Water, Infrastructure, and Accessibility. The program will primarily focus on startups in the mobility, energy, and materials sectors, while also considering other tech solutions that can drive climate action.