Newlab2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Brooklyn Navy Yard hub for critical-technology startups with labs, shops and pilot projects. A paid membership community, not an accelerator. Also runs hubs in Detroit and Riyadh.
- Up to $75K
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- Ongoing membership
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About Newlab
Newlab is a venture platform and membership community for critical-technology startups. It is not a cohort accelerator. Its flagship sits inside an 84,000 square foot building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a former naval machine shop built in 1899 that Newlab converted and opened in 2016. David Belt and Scott Cohen came up with the concept in 2011.
Members get space plus heavy equipment: a biolab, a metals and plastics workshop, rapid-prototyping and electronics labs, a casting room and a wood shop, with 24/7 access. Newlab also runs commercialization projects with industry and government partners and connects members to venture and non-dilutive capital. It reports more than 150 commercial projects and $9.5B+ in external capital invested in its startups.
Newlab now runs hubs beyond Brooklyn. Detroit focuses on mobility with 100+ startups, New Orleans on energy, Montevideo on Latin American startups and Riyadh on critical minerals and mining technology.
Membership is paid. Companies pay to use the space and staff, and Newlab sometimes invests directly. It does not publish fees or equity terms. Separate programs add money. The 2026 Founder Fellowship offered up to $75,000 in investment and a 12-month membership to a cohort of 15 critical-tech startups led by founders from underrepresented backgrounds. Startup membership applications are always open.
What Newlab looks for
Newlab focuses on critical technology: robotics, energy, mobility, advanced manufacturing, mining, logistics and other hard-tech fields that need physical space to build and test. Members are typically companies with 3 to 20 employees that already have a product to prototype or pilot. A strong application shows a clear commercial use with a corporate or city partner and a real need for the shops and labs. A 2018 report said about 15 percent of applicants were accepted, but Newlab does not publish a current rate.
How the Newlab program works
There is no fixed curriculum or demo day. Startups join as members and use Newlab's workspace, labs and shops on an ongoing basis. Newlab describes three entry points to membership, starting with community and labs membership.
Beyond space, the team builds commercialization projects that pair startups with corporate, city and government partners for pilots, and it opens access to investors and non-dilutive funding. Newlab also runs themed programs and challenges. Examples include the Founder Fellowship, with a cohort of 15 and up to $75,000 in investment, and the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge, which split a $200,000 non-dilutive stipend pool among participants.
Each hub runs its own sector programs, such as mobility in Detroit.
How to apply to Newlab
- 1Open the Join Newlab form at newlab.com/apply.
- 2Enter founder and company details, sector, investment stage, how much you are raising and a link to your deck.
- 3Choose your preferred Newlab ecosystem, such as Brooklyn, Detroit or New Orleans.
- 4Explain why you need Newlab's labs, shops or partner projects.
- 5Wait for review by the Newlab team and sector experts, then discuss space and membership pricing.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Newlab alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Newlab.
Newlab vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newlab | Up to $75K | Not published | New York | Next deadline not announced yet |
| NYU Tandon Future Labs | No cash investment | Varies | New York | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
| Dreamit Ventures | Up to $1.5M | Not published | New York | Rolling admissions |
Newlab FAQ
When is the Newlab application deadline?+
Newlab has not announced its next deadline yet (Membership applications open year-round; next Founder Fellowship window not announced). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
Is Newlab an accelerator?+
No. Newlab is a membership community and venture platform with shared labs, shops and workspace. Members pay to use the space and staff. There is no cohort, curriculum or demo day for general membership. Newlab does run separate programs, such as the Founder Fellowship, that have cohorts and funding.
How much does Newlab membership cost?+
Newlab does not publish membership pricing. Fees depend on the space and type of membership you choose. There is no published equity requirement for regular members. Ask the team for a quote after your application is reviewed, and compare it with other hardware spaces in New York.
Does Newlab invest in startups?+
Sometimes. Newlab sometimes invests in member companies, and its 2026 Founder Fellowship offered up to $75,000 in investment to a cohort of 15 startups. It also connects members to a network of venture and non-dilutive capital. Regular membership does not come with a check.
Where are Newlab's locations?+
The flagship is in Building 128 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Newlab also runs hubs in Detroit for mobility, New Orleans for energy, Montevideo in Uruguay for Latin American startups, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for critical minerals and mining technology.
Sources: newlab.com, newlab.com, en.wikipedia.org, techcrunch.com, archpaper.com, hub.causo.ai