Eligibility and Requirements

Preference for the Venture Lab will be given to teams, although individuals may also apply. As long as at least one team member is a current graduate student or upper-level undergraduate in good standing at The New School, additional team members may include non-students. For more information about the Venture Lab, view this presentation (PDF).

Teams applying to the Venture Lab should meet the following criteria:

• Be composed of at least one current graduate student or upper-level undergraduate (junior or senior) in good standing at The New School (priority will be given to teams that include a second-year graduate student or upper-level undergraduate student).
  
• Be committed to promoting positive change through entrepreneurship.
• Be willing and able to enroll team members in the spring Venture Lab course, which will take place at The New School’s campus in New York City. Students enrolled at The New School must take the course for credit. In certain cases, the Venture Lab course may qualify as a substitute for certain degree requirements. Team members not currently enrolled at The New School may take the course as non-matriculated students if they live in the greater New York City area.
  
• Have a demonstrated ability to create an innovative solution, as illustrated by a prototype or proof of concept that represents the venture’s promise.
• Plan to scale and build the venture during or soon after completion of degree
  
  

Expectations for Participants

• Attendance at an orientation in early December
  
• Attendance at weekly Venture Lab course sessions during the spring semester
• Satisfactory completion of all Venture Lab course assignments
  
• Willingness to spend an average of eight to ten hours per week building an enterprise (this includes course sessions as well as work outside of the Venture Lab)
  
• Willingness to support the work of other Venture Lab participants