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Cornell Tech Runway Startup Postdoc Program
Also known as: Runway Startup Postdocs, Runway Program
Cornell University · Ithaca, NY
The Runway Startup Postdoc Program is a 12-24 month deep-tech startup incubator for recent PhD graduates, based at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute on Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus. The program provides a comprehensive package valued at $175,000 in year one and $150,000 in year two, including salary, research budget, housing allowance, IP registration, and mentorship. In exchange, the Jacobs Institute receives a SAFE investment instrument ($175K at $3M cap year 1, $150K at $4.7M cap year 2). Since inception, Runway has launched 120+ companies with a combined valuation exceeding $1 billion, creating over 700 jobs in New York City.
Quick fit check
- Offers direct funding
- Takes equity
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
$325,000 – $325,000
Venture Equity
Equity
Equity taken
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2025-09-10
High confidence
Application and Timing
Applications open Oct 15 - Feb 1 annually. Acceptance by April 25. September start. 12-24 month duration.
Participants
Recent PhD graduates (within 5 years) in digital technology fields (AI, health tech, connective media, urban tech, security/privacy, computer vision). PhD candidates nearing completion also considered. Must be interested in applying research to real-world needs.
Funding and Equity
- Year 1: $175K package ($80K salary, $20K research budget, $25K IP registration, $50K benefits/space).
- Year 2: $150K package (similar components, lower housing allocation).
- Jacobs Institute receives SAFE: $175K at $3M valuation cap (year 1), $150K at $4.7M cap (year 2).
- Converts to equity upon qualified financing round.
- IP: Exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to technology developed in program.
Recent Activity
Fall 2025: 11 new startups welcomed (largest cohort to date). 120+ companies launched cumulatively. Notable successes: Nanit ($14M Series B), Imprint ($15M raised), OnsiteIQ, Biotia. Combined Runway + Studio: $1B+ valuation, 700+ jobs in NYC.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Biotia
Cornell University
Infectious disease genomics startup; Cornell Tech Runway portfolio company.
Imprint
Cornell University
Immune memory decoding biotech; Cornell Tech Runway alum that raised $15M.
Nanit
Cornell University
Baby monitoring hardware startup; Cornell Tech Runway alum with $14M Series B.
OnsiteIQ
Cornell University
Construction monitoring startup; Cornell Tech Runway portfolio company.
Verification Gaps
- Job count grew from 500 (mid-2025) to 700+ (late 2025); exact timing of metrics varies.
- Valuation figure reported as $700M+ (mid-2025) then $1B+ (late 2025).
- Equity percentage equivalent of SAFE not publicly stated (under 6% per experience.cornell.edu).
Cornell Tech Runway Startup Postdoc Program
Programming
- "Startup MBA": intensive entrepreneurship and business education at start.
- Product management, pitching, public speaking, fundraising classes.
- Weekly cohort meetings (Scrums).
- Mentorship from academic and business experts.
- Access to NYC tech ecosystem.
Additional research notesShow
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Cornell Tech Runway Startup Postdoc Program at Cornell University.
1 source
