Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund
About the program · 1 linked sources
The Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund ("Lang Fund") was established in 1996 with a $1 million gift from Eugene M. Lang, MS '40. It is an early-stage equity investment fund for Columbia Business School students and alumni. The fund provides seed capital and allows CBS to share in the success of funded ventures through negotiated equity. Over 75 ventures have been funded, with 64+ total investments.
Also known as: Lang Fund
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-22); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$100,000
Venture Equity
Equity
Equity taken
Application
Annual
School Specific
Last activity
2025-10-01
High confidence
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Student notes
Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund
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Application and Timing
Graduating student cycle: spring term. Alumni cycle: typically fall. Highly competitive selection by Lang Fund Investment Board.
Participants
Columbia Business School graduating students (MBA, EMBA, MS) and degree-holding CBS alumni. Not open to Executive Education participants or certificate holders.
Funding and Equity
For Graduating Students
- $25,000 investment
- Fast-tracked to Screening Day of next alumni cycle for chance at additional up to $50,000
- At least one founder must be a graduating second-year CBS student
- Must intend to work on venture full-time after graduation
For Alumni
- Typically $50,000-$100,000 investments
- At least one founder must be a degree-holding CBS alum (MBA, EMBA, MS)
- Post-revenue with 6+ months of customer data preferred
- Raising between $500K and $3M typically
Investment Terms
- Equity taken (SAFE, convertible note, or preferred stock)
- Must be priced or have valuation cap (no uncapped notes)
- Company must raise at least $500K with half hard circled
- Funds raised within one year of award
- Geographically- and sector-agnostic
Recent Activity
Fall 2024 recipients: Guilde AI ($50K-$100K), Pelican Invest ($50K-$100K). Spring 2024 recipients: Tumo, Tarmac AI. Portfolio exit: AVEC (November 2025). Partnership with AUC Venture Lab. 75+ ventures funded since inception.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Exact total dollars invested not specified.
- Number of investments per year varies (student + alumni cycles).
- Equity terms (ownership percentage) not disclosed publicly.
Program details
Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund at Columbia University.
1 source
