Lecture Series in AI: Byron Cook, PhD, VP/Distinguished Scientist, Amazon-AWS
2026-04-17 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
Schedule:
10:30-11:00am Check-in
11:00-12:00pm Lecture
Advance registration required for both Columbia non-affiliates and Columbia affiliates.
About the Speaker
Byron Cook is a vice president and distinguished scientist at Amazon, program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and a professor at the University College London (UCL). He is well-known for his work on automatic methods for proving program term ination and the Terminator termination prover, showcasing that automatic termination proving was impossible. He contributed to Microsoft’s SLAM and Static Driver Verifier. Bryan Cook revived automatic program verification research in various ways and founded Amazon’s Automated Reasoning Group (ARG). He has received multiple awards for his research contributions, notably the Roger Needham Award and the distinction of Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
About the Lecture
“Neurosymbolic AI at AWS”
This talk will discuss work at AWS to bring the power of agentic/generative AI with the safety and correctness of formal reasoning.
Campus Access
In accordance with the University’s current visitor guidelines, all non-Columbia guests will receive a QR code within a few hours of the event date. The code will be sent to you via email from CU Guest Access and must be presented for campus entry, along with a government-issued ID.
Accessibility
Columbia University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend an event at Columbia University, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 212.854.2388 or access@columbia.edu.
Photography/Videography
Columbia Engineering reserves the right to capture and use images (including video, photo, audio) of student participants at this event in its current or future marketing materials. These materials include but are not limited to: social media, digital and/or print posters, email and web-based materials. By attending and participating in this event, you are consenting to having your image captured for these purposes. If you have concerns about your likeness being used, please reach out to engineeringcommunications@columbia.edu and we will accommodate your request.

CVC Presents: 2026 NYC Venture Community Monthly Networking Happy Hours (April, FinTech)
2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:00
Tuesday, April 21 | 6 PM EST
Penny Farthing, 103 3rd Avenue, NYC, NY 10003
Columbia Venture Community is pleased to invite you to a Networking and Social Event in support of our NYC venture community! Come out and join us for drinks and socializing with the goal of meeting and supporting the many entrepreneurs and investors in our community. This event is open to all. We look forward to seeing you there!
RSVP

Funding Opportunity: Ignition Grants 2026
2026-04-30
Ignition grants assist Columbia University engineering students in launching new businesses, social and not-for-profit ventures. Ignition grants support the initial stages of early venture development from formation, IP protection, and incubation to building prototypes and creating proofs of concept. Teams that have won the Technology Challenge or received Ignition Grants in the past will not be eligible. Applicants must have a current SEAS student on the team to apply. Teams who applied to Startup Columbia Round 2 in the Tech Challenge are welcome to update their applications before resubmitting.
Deadline: Friday, April 30
APPLY HERE

Deadline: Columbia Build Lab Application
2026-05-10
Columbia Build Lab (CBL) matches Columbia students pursuing Computer Science (or related degrees) with CBS student-founders of an early-stage startup. Engineers in the Build Lab program gain experience working to solve real-world challenges with teams of peers and CBS founders. This is an excellent opportunity for any engineering or computer science student looking to gain valuable experience this Fall! Submit your application to the Spring 2026 cohort before May 10th!

CVC-NY Presents: Incubation Night (May 14, 2026)
2026-05-14 19:00 - 21:00
Details: If you have ideas with a potentially viable business model or just want to hear what people are working on, join the Columbia Venture Community at our Quarterly CVC Incubation Night! This event puts entrepreneurs, “idea people,” and connectors in a room to engage in intense, non-stop collaboration on how to start and grow a venture.
RSVP

Founded in 2006, Columbia Venture Community (CVC) is a private, global network of more than 7,500 Columbia University alumni, students, and staff who are interested in all aspects of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Join the Community Here

CVC Presents: 2026 NYC Venture Community Monthly Networking Happy Hours (May, AI)
2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:00
Columbia Venture Community is pleased to invite you to a Networking and Social Event in support of our NYC venture community! Come out and join us for drinks and socializing with the goal of meeting and supporting the many entrepreneurs and investors in our community. This event is open to all. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP TBA

CVC Presents: 2026 NYC Venture Community Monthly Networking Happy Hours (June, Crypto and Web3)
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:00

CVC NYC Pitch Night - June 25, 2026 (Deadline for founders to participate - May 29!)
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00
CVC NYC Pitch Night is one of our biggest annual events, bringing together early-stage Columbia-affiliated founders, investors, operators, and builders for an evening of live pitches, feedback, and networking.
Date and Time: Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET
Location: DLA Piper, 1251 6th Ave, New York, NY
For founders: We’re inviting early-stage Columbia-affiliated founders to apply to pitch in front of 100+ alumni investors and operators. Selected founders will receive live feedback, visibility in the NYC ecosystem, and direct access to the Columbia startup community.
Application deadline: May 29, 2026
Apply here: https://forms.gle/3pAPr98V2mcGwtjv6
For attendees: Early bird tickets are live: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-columbia-venture-community-pitch-night-nyc-tickets-1988733837443
