“CSL gave me the affirmation I needed to ignore the fluff and commit to my real dreams.”
– Vignesh Karthik ’26 Engineering, who went on to raise $4M with fellow CSL Uptowner Connor Lee ’26 Engineering after pivoting and honing his startup
Columbia Startup Lab (CSL) Uptown, located on the Morningside campus, provides campus-wide programming, open working space, mentorship, and connection to other entrepreneurship nodes around the University for aspiring student founders currently enrolled at Columbia and Barnard.
There are two potential levels of involvement, CSL COMMUNITY and CSL INCUBATE.
CSL COMMUNITY: (casual)
For those who are not actively working on a startup or are more in the ideation stage but want to learn more about startups, entrepreneurship, the various entrepreneurship events on campus, we have you covered.
Just email us your name, UNI, school, and year at CSLMorningside(at)gmail.com and get access to our regular informative emails about entrepreneurship events throughout campus, speaker-series, classes, and more. It’s a great way to dip a toe in and keep tabs on things.
—
For those actively working on a startup, CSL Uptown has an application-based membership called CSL INCUBATE.
CSL INCUBATE: (intense)
This is a year-round, application-only, accelerator-type program for students actively working on a startup, who can attend in-person weekly gatherings. Involvement in CSL Uptown includes:
- Regular Friday meet-ups that build a vibrant community, create a learning atmosphere complemented by discussions, speakers and workshops
- Access to curated Columbia Startup Lab SoHo progamming
- Access to a very vibrant community of students and alumni who take a genuine interest in helping others in the CSL community. It’s about engagement and sharing, not about just “working on your own venture”. Applications for CSL Uptown membership require a video submission so that we can hear from you on why you want to join this collaborative community.
Notes:
** Priority is given to students from schools that do not have their own entrepreneurship programming and centers.
** When reviewing applications for participation, we look for individuals who are going to give back as much as they get out of this experience. If so inclined, please include how you might add to the community experience in your video submission.
** Applicants should further indicate their ability to come regularly to the Friday gatherings and what they could add to the program.
CSL Uptown membership is at capacity for the semester but feel free to apply, as spots do come available this semester and next. Please be mindful of application requirements such as time limits.
“The experience and hands-on approach of the staff at CSL were significant contributors in the early stages of our company’s journey.”
–Torben Leowald ’26LAW
