Spring 2026 Startup Awards + Open Studio

11 student teams will present their startup companies as they compete for $100,000 in investment, office space, and mentoring — culminating months of work in Cornell Tech’s rigorous Startup Studio program. Startup Awards pitches are evaluated by a distinguished jury of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and academic leaders. The evening concludes with a celebratory reception.

This year’s finalists are tackling some of the most consequential problems in technology today — from AI safety and agentic systems to predictive healthcare, satellite collision risk, and the future of legal and financial decision-making. It’s one of the most ambitious cohorts in the program’s history.

With more than 1,000 attendees at last year’s event, the Startup Awards offer more than just award-winning presentations. Attendees will engage with demonstrations from early-stage technologies and applied research emerging from across Cornell Tech.

Startup Awards pitches are evaluated by a distinguished jury of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and academic leaders. The winners will be announced by Andrew Ross Sorkin ’99, New York Times columnist, author, producer, and co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk Box.

Past Startup Awards competitions have helped launch companies across AI, digital health, fintech, legal tech, media, sustainability, and other emerging technology sectors. To date, 128+ startups have been launched at Cornell Tech, collectively reaching a valuation of more than $1.3 billion and raising $500 million in venture capital.

Info: Tata Innovation Center

Info: Tent

Info: Tata Master's Collaboratory for demos. Verizon Executive Education Center for BigCo/PiTech presentations.

Info: Tent

Info: Tata Innovation Center

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

2 W Loop Rd, 2 West Loop Road, New York, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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