Sponsorship

Featured partner placement

Sponsor The New School once and your brand appears on the The New School page and across every one of its programs and student-startup pages — not just this page.

The New School logo
Medium confidence

The New School

New York City, NY·University

The New School is a private university founded in 1919, located in Greenwich Village, New York City. Total enrollment of ~9,000-10,000 (degree-seeking). Comprises Parsons School of Design (#1 US art/design school, QS 2025), Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Schools of Public Engagement. Known for design, social sciences, and progressive education.

Pitch competitionsIncubatorCash prizes

At a glance

Indexed programs

3

3 currently active

Top direct funding

$0

Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative

Equity

No equity on indexed programs

Program mix

3

Entrepreneurship Center · Pitch Competition · Incubator

Research verdict

Include (design/impact venture source). The New School has a sustained entrepreneurship infrastructure anchored by Parsons ELab (since 2014), a named incubator with cohort-based venture development and investor-facing Demo Day. Multiple recurring pitch competitions (Narwhal Tank, New Challenge) and strong academic offerings (Creative Entrepreneurship minor, IEI minor) complement the incubator. The notable alumni entrepreneur network in fashion/design is exceptional. However, the institution lacks university-managed venture funding, formal accelerator, physical incubator space, and tech transfer infrastructure. Best classified as a design/impact venture source rather than a deep-tech commercialization hub.

Programs to explore

Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.

3 programs indexed

Funding and Equity

No university-managed venture fund, seed fund, or proof-of-concept fund identified. The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative provides some venture support funding but amounts are not publicly specified. XRC Labs (external partner) invests equity in retail/consumer startups. ELab provides access to grants and competitions but does not directly deploy capital.

Recent Activity

2025: Narwhal Tank held during Parsons Festival. IEI active with fellowship cohorts. 2024: ELab continues incubator cohorts. 2023+: Management & Entrepreneurship ecosystem page maintained with current programming.

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup
Historical winners (research notes)
  • Outdoor Voices — Founded by Tyler Haney (Parsons alum). Activewear brand.
  • Baggu — Founded by Emily Sugihara (Parsons alum). Reusable bags/accessories.
  • Ware Innovations / Jhoule — Founded by Yogita Agrawal (Parsons BFA Product Design '15). Sustainable products; UNICEF-supported Soapen.
  • Numerous fashion labels: Donna Karan (DKNY), Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Anna Sui, Narciso Rodriguez, Tracy Reese, Prabal Gurung.

Missing Information

  • ELab cohort sizes, selection metrics, and venture outcomes (funding raised, survival rates)
  • Narwhal Tank prize amounts and specific winning ventures
  • IEI current cohort size, funding amounts per fellow, and startup outcomes
  • ELab physical incubator space (appears programmatic rather than physical)
  • Current entrepreneurship student club activity (none identified by name)
  • Tech transfer / IP commercialization office (none identified)
  • New Challenge prize amounts and recent winners

The New School

News & articles

4 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at The New School.

4 sources

Official sources(4)

Official Center PagePrimary Official

The New School Entrepreneurship Academic Sources

The New School

Observed Sun Jun 21 2026 20:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

# The New School Entrepreneurship Academic Sources Supporting evidence for The New School's curricular entrepreneurship offerings and physical infrastructure. Includes Creative Entrepreneurship minor page (Parsons, 18-credit undergrad) and Parsons Making Center page (30,000+ sq ft prototyping facility with 3D printing, wood shop, ceramics).

Official Center PagePrimary Official

Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative Sources

The New School

Observed Sun Jun 21 2026 20:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

# Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative Sources The New School centers/institutes page for the Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative. University-wide graduate fellowship providing mentorship, training, and venture support for socially engaged entrepreneurs. Includes Venture Lab and graduate minor (9 credits). Competitive cohort-based admission.

Official Center PagePrimary Official

Narwhal Tank Sources

The New School

Observed Sun Jun 21 2026 20:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

# Narwhal Tank Sources The New School events page for the Narwhal Tank Impact Ventures Showcase held during Parsons Festival. 2025 event listing confirms recurring annual event. Showcases impact-driven student and alumni ventures across The New School ecosystem. Prizes, mentorship, and investor connections offered.

Official Center PagePrimary Official

Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab) Sources

The New School

Observed Sun Jun 21 2026 20:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

# Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab) Sources The New School centers/institutes page and ecosystem page documenting the Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab. Design-led research lab and incubator founded 2014 in the School of Design Strategies. Cohort-based incubator/accelerator program for student and alumni ventures. Culminates in Demo Day. Distributed network model.

This profile lists 3 programs for The New School. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.

Claim & correct this page·Takes about 5 minutes — no payment required.