YU Innovation Lab
About the program · 2 linked sources
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.
Also known as: Yeshiva University Innovation Lab
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-23); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$0
In Kind, Non Dilutive Grant
Equity
None
Application
Rolling
Campus Wide
Last activity
2025-03-25
Medium confidence
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Reminders
YU Innovation Lab
Get an email before a director-verified deadline for this program, this school, or this state. The program never sees your address.
Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
YU Innovation Lab
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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.
Research gaps & things to verify
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.
Program details
YU Innovation Lab
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
- 2026-06-23-yeshiva-innovation-lab
- 2026-06-23-yeshiva-innovation-challenge
- Yeshiva University Entrepreneurship Research Report
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting YU Innovation Lab at Yeshiva University.
2 sources
Yeshiva University
YU Innovation Lab Official Page
Innovation Lab official page. Documents the hub as a collaborative environment for Israeli startups to grow U.S. market potential while engaging YU students. Describes the Innovation Challenge as its flagship student program. Director: Natasha Srulowitz.
Read on Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
YU Innovation Challenge Official Pages and News Coverage
Two captures: (1) official 2025 Innovation Challenge program page with schedule, prizes, and eligibility; (2) YU News article on the record-breaking 2025 competition with named winners, statistics, and quotes.
Read on Yeshiva University