NYU Tandon Future Labs2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
NYU Tandon's network of Brooklyn startup incubators, built as a partnership with New York City. Labs cover climate and smart cities, game design and veteran-led startups.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- Varies
- Equity
- Varies by program
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About NYU Tandon Future Labs
NYU Tandon Future Labs is a network of business incubators run by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn. NYU calls it the first public-private partnership with New York City for startup incubation. It is an incubator network, not a single accelerator with one cohort and one check.
The labs started in 2009 as the Varick Street Incubators. The Urban Future Lab opened at the Tandon campus in Downtown Brooklyn in 2014 and was the first to carry the Future Labs name. NYU's current page lists the Urban Future Lab, a hub for smart cities, clean energy and smart grid technology; the Game Design Future Lab for games and emerging media; and the Veterans Future Lab in Sunset Park for startups led by military veterans.
The Urban and Data labs list 370 Jay Street in Brooklyn as their address. The network has also run the Data Future Lab for AI and machine learning startups and the Digital Future Lab.
Programs differ by lab. Past offerings included Catalyst, a no-cost program for up to eight companies per cohort, and Next Round, a one to two year program for seed-stage startups. Recent activity includes the 10th Urban Future Prize, the 2026 Innovator Program selections of the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub, a second Game Design cohort and VET-1, a training program for veteran entrepreneurs.
NYU reports more than 200 companies graduated since 2009 and 3,201 jobs supported in New York State. The labs do not publish one standard set of equity or cash terms.
What NYU Tandon Future Labs looks for
Future Labs looks for early-stage startups that match a lab's focus. The Urban Future Lab wants climate, clean energy, smart grid and smart cities technology. The Game Design Future Lab wants digital games, games infrastructure and emerging media. The Veterans Future Lab wants businesses led by military veterans, and some veteran programs include military spouses. Labs favor teams building in New York, since the network exists as a partnership with the city to grow local jobs and companies.
How the NYU Tandon Future Labs program works
Each Future Lab runs its own programs, so the structure depends on where you apply. The Urban Future Lab houses climate and clean energy startups and runs ACRE, its clean energy incubator, along with the Urban Future Prize and the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub's Innovator Program. The Game Design Future Lab selects cohorts of game and emerging-media startups.
The Veterans Future Lab in Sunset Park houses veteran-led businesses, offers a prototyping space open to the public by membership and runs VET-1 training. Earlier programs included Catalyst, a no-cost cohort of up to eight companies, and Next Round, a one to two year program for seed-stage startups. Startups typically get workspace in Brooklyn and access to NYU Tandon resources.
How to apply to NYU Tandon Future Labs
- 1Pick the lab that fits your sector: Urban Future Lab for climate and smart cities, Game Design Future Lab for games, or Veterans Future Lab for veteran-led companies.
- 2Check that lab's program page for open calls, such as the Urban Future Prize, the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Innovator Program or VET-1.
- 3Submit the program application with your team, technology and stage.
- 4If no call is open, email hello@futurelabs.nyc to ask about the next intake.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
NYU Tandon Future Labs vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYU Tandon Future Labs | No cash investment | Varies | New York | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Newlab | Up to $75K | Not published | 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 |
NYU Tandon Future Labs FAQ
When is the NYU Tandon Future Labs application deadline?+
NYU Tandon Future Labs has not announced its next deadline yet (Program-specific intakes; check each lab for open calls). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
Is NYU Tandon Future Labs only for NYU students?+
No. The Future Labs are business incubators built as a partnership with New York City to grow the local startup economy, and they are not limited to NYU students or alumni. Each lab sets its own criteria. The Veterans Future Lab, for example, focuses on veteran-led businesses rather than NYU affiliation.
Does NYU Future Labs take equity?+
There is no single published rule. Terms vary by lab and program. NYU described Catalyst, a past program at the Data and Digital Future Labs, as no-cost. The current program pages do not list fees or equity, so ask the specific lab about terms before you apply.
Which Future Labs are active?+
NYU's current Future Labs page lists the Urban Future Lab for smart cities and clean energy, the Game Design Future Lab and the Veterans Future Lab in Sunset Park. ACRE is the clean energy incubator inside the Urban Future Lab. The network previously also ran the Data Future Lab and the Digital Future Lab.
What results has NYU Future Labs produced?+
NYU says its incubator and accelerator programs have graduated more than 200 companies since 2009. An NYU-commissioned study found that Future Labs supported 3,201 jobs in New York State, including 2,740 in New York City. The Urban Future Lab alone reports startups that raised more than $380 million.
Sources: engineering.nyu.edu, engineering.nyu.edu, engineering.nyu.edu, engineering.nyu.edu