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Entrepreneurship CenterIndirect supportNo equityVerified

YU Innovation Lab

Also known as: Yeshiva University Innovation Lab

Yeshiva University · New York, NY

The YU Innovation Lab is Yeshiva University's central entrepreneurship hub. It serves dual functions: (1) running campus-wide entrepreneurship programming including the annual YU Innovation Challenge, and (2) incubating Israeli startups seeking U.S. market expansion while engaging YU students. Directed by Natasha Srulowitz.

The Lab produces the Innovation Challenge as its flagship student program — a 6-week competition with workshops, mentorship, and final pitch night. Post-competition, it connects students with internships and jobs at Israeli startups in Israel and NYC.

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Quick fit check

  • Indirect support only
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$0 – $0

In Kind, Non Dilutive Grant

Equity

None

Application

Rolling

Campus Wide

Last activity

2025-03-25

Medium confidence

Application and Timing

Innovation Challenge: annual, typically January-March cycle. Lab incubation: rolling by arrangement.

Participants

All YU undergraduate and graduate students across all schools. Israeli startups participate in the Lab's incubation track.

Funding and Equity

No direct venture funding from the Lab. Innovation Challenge provides cash prizes ($2,000 first, $1,000 second). No equity taken. Israeli startup incubation is described as collaborative without disclosed investment terms.

Recent Activity

  • March 2025: 2025 Innovation Challenge — record 84 submissions, 9 schools, 7 finalist teams, first $2K/$1K prizes.

Known Startups or Winners

  • YachtNotes (Ruben Mena, Cardozo Law) — Innovation Challenge 1st place 2025, $2,000. Communications platform for luxury yacht industry.
  • DMiing (Shiva Kumar Arugonda, Altaf Ahmed, Dwani Patel, Katz School) — Innovation Challenge 2nd place 2025, $1,000. Private secure messaging platform.

Verification Gaps

  • Israeli startup incubation track record unclear — no portfolio, metrics, or tenant companies documented.
  • Lab operating budget, staff size, and facilities unknown.
  • Innovation Challenge only has documented results for 2025 (most recent). Earlier years (2022-2024) lack comparable detail.

YU Innovation Lab

Additional research notesShow