We are now accepting applications for our 2025 Cohort! Have a Health and Wellness startup? Apply by Monday, 3/31!
A summer accelerator for full-time founders to take their ventures to the next level.
As a Stern Venture Fellow, founders will have access to a non-dilutive personal stipend.
Each year, the SVF program chooses a specific field or industry to tailor content.
(2025 cycle)
The Stern Venture Fellows (SVF) program supports NYU’s high-potential entrepreneurs in advancing their ventures over a customized summer program. Fellows will grow their startup ventures with the guidance and support of NYU faculty and staff, alumni, and the bi-coastal mentor community.
This program is an opportunity for startup founders in a specific industry to set measurable goals, leverage expert guidance, and receive non-dilutive funding, among other resources, from the NYU Stern and broader NYU network.
Hear about the impact of the SVF program from the Fellows themselves! Stay up to date with the our founders and the events of the SVF program by using our blog!
SVF Blog
From innovative apparel and tele health platforms to disruptive database management tools, get to know past Fellows of the SVF Summer Accelerator!
The Fellows
Curated workshops, panels, forums, lunch & learns.
$10,000 stipend + in-kind coaching,
software tools and resources.
Fellows have access to
MBA and Tech VAs on discrete projects.
Rotating workspace access on weekdays
at Tandon Future Labs.
Fellows will get paired with 1-2 coaches for strategic mentoring.
In-person social events, Slack group, and
ad hoc community support.
One-on-one mentorship and coaching from successful entrepreneurs and early-stage investors.
Introduction to NYU alumni working in NYC, Silicon Valley, and other major tech hubs.
Cohort-curated speaker events & workshops.
As part of the SVF program, each Fellow is awarded a $10,000 non-dilutive, personal stipend to help alleviate the financial burden that comes from being a full-time founder.
Any NYU affiliates, including current students (graduate or undergraduate), recent alumni (Classes 2015-2025), and NYU faculty and staff who can dedicate 10 weeks to full-time work on an active venture are encouraged to apply.
Applications for the 2025 Stern Venture Fellow Summer Accelerator have opened!.
Apply before the deadline, Monday, March 31 @ 11:59 PM!
Info Session & Apps Open
Application Deadline
Fellows Announced
Program Commences
Workshops, Mentoring & Events
SVF Showcase & Program End
This program is presented by NYU Stern’s Office of Student Engagement and the NYU Stern Berkley Center for Entreprenuership, established with a gift from technology executive and alumnus David Ko (BS ’93) and his wife Jennifer.
David Ko (NYU BS ’93) is the CEO of Calm, the leading app for sleep, meditation and relaxation, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Calm, David was the co-founder and CEO of health tech company Ripple Health Group (which was acquired by Calm in 2022). Following the acquisition and under David’s leadership, the company launched Calm Health, a mental health care solution for payers, providers and self-insured employers designed to bridge the gap between mental and physical health care.
Before founding Ripple Health Group, David was a Board Member, President and COO of Rally Health, a digital health company. Prior to joining Rally Health, David was COO at Zygna, where he oversaw strategic planning, game development, international expansion, and infrastructure. Previously, David worked at Yahoo!, where he was SVP of Yahoo!’s audience, mobile, and local businesses, with oversight of Yahoo! media properties including Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News, and Yahoo! Finance. During his time at Yahoo!, he had also served as managing director and vice president for Yahoo! Mobile’s Asia Pacific business and was responsible for growing the company’s partnerships across the region from zero to 24 in 16 months.
David and his wife Jennifer’s $1 million gift established the Stern Venture Fellowship as a unique immersion program giving NYU Stern students the benefits of financial support, mentorship, workshops and access to NYC and Silicon Valley tech companies. The launch of this program also coincides with David’s appointment to Stern’s Board of Overseers.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Stern MBAs transform their ideas into viable businesses through the resources that will be available from the NYU Stern Venture Fellows Program,” said Ko. “My goal is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with early, firsthand access to leaders in the Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley technology communities and help them get a jumpstart.”
