NYU Stern’s Endless Frontier Labs celebrated its 2024-2025 cohort of 79 startups, showcasing innovations in health and tech. Elizabeth Elting awarded $2 million to four women-led companies. Founded by Deepak Hegde, EFL supports early-stage startups through a unique, mentorship-driven program and is now accepting applications for 2025-2026.
On May 8, the wait was over for the 2024-2025 cohort of startups at NYU Stern’s Endless Frontier Labs (EFL). The annual Frontiers showcase brought together 79 graduating startups, all set to make waves in sectors like deep tech, digital health, and life sciences. From genomic data management to enhancing mobility for those with walking disorders, the ventures showcased were quite something!
This batch of startups emerged from varied tracks—Deep Tech, Digital Tech, Life Sciences, and a brand new Digital Health program. Each of these up-and-coming businesses is geared to tackle real-world issues, such as reducing bias in AI and improving memory cell function. Quite the impressive lineup!
One notable highlight from the event was entrepreneur Elizabeth Elting, NYU Stern alumna (MBA ’92). She’s generously donated $2 million to fund women-centric businesses that have successfully completed the EFL program. Notable recipients this year include geCKo Materials, Nest Genomics, SyntheX, and Telness Tech, each making innovative strides in their fields.
The winner of the Deep Tech track, geCKo Materials, is led by CEO Capella Kerst. They’ve developed a remarkable bio-inspired adhesive that’s not just strong but also reusable and residue-free. Imagine the applications in industries like space and robotics—truly game-changing!
Then there’s Nest Genomics, under the leadership of Moran Snir. They are all about bringing genomic info right to care providers, making it easier for organizations to run large-scale genomic programs. Definitely an area that could reshape how we approach healthcare.
SyntheX, led by Maria Soloveychik, is another standout. They are tackling disease-causing proteins that were historically difficult to access using innovative protein-engineering strategies. Sound complicated? It is—but it’s necessary.
Lastly, we have Martina Klingvall’s Telness Tech. This company specializes in simplifying how mobile operators get up and running. Their automated software solutions not only enhance the customer experience but help reduce operational costs—something every company wants.
At the helm of EFL is founding director Deepak Hegde, who’s integrated the startup journey with Stern’s MBA curriculum. This program spans nine months, focusing heavily on mentoring early-stage science and tech startups. It’s impressive how they’ve partnered MBA students with founders to ensure thorough business development support.
EFL has rapidly climbed the ranks to become one of the leading accelerators globally. They’ve raised approximately $2.3 billion from their startups, with a whopping combined valuation of $7.49 billion from 178 graduates. Remarkably, nearly half of these startups are led by women, marking a significant milestone in a typically male-dominated field.
What’s more, EFL operates on a “founders first” model. They don’t charge fees or take equity from the startups, making it a truly accessible platform for entrepreneurs around the globe—even those without prior ties to NYU.
Exciting news for future innovators: EFL’s application for the 2025-2026 program is now officially open, inviting more groundbreaking ideas to join the ranks!
The Endless Frontier Labs at NYU Stern is making remarkable strides in the startup world, particularly with a focus on supporting women-centric businesses. With Elizabeth Elting’s generous funding and an impressive cohort of startups tackling significant problems, the future looks promising. Their unique, accessible model ensures that aspiring entrepreneurs can thrive, and with the 2025-2026 applications now open, more innovative minds await their chance to shine.
Original Source: www.stern.nyu.edu
