Columbia Build Lab is an incubator that connects Columbia Business School student-founders with Columbia engineering talent seeking hands-on experience in building a minimum viable product (MVP) with an early-stage startup. The program aims to empower Columbia Business School students to scale projects into viable businesses.
The program takes no equity from its founders, provides its engineers with academic credit and experience as compensation, and accelerates the product time to market by launching MVPs across 1-3 terms.
For Founders
Columbia Build Lab (CBL) targets the early stages of entrepreneurial development, providing grounds for students at Columbia Business School to transform their ideas into products/services. The goal is to create an environment for founders to find passionate cohorts and ways to launch their vision. CBL takes no equity from founders and accelerates the product time to market by launching MVPs in 1-3 terms.
Eligibility/Prerequisites for Application
A highly selective screening and pitch process determine acceptance into this program. Founders applying to CBL will be evaluated on the following criteria, including but not limited to:
- Have completed their first term of study at Columbia Business School and are in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Be actively enrolled and physically present at Columbia Business School for the duration of their participation in the program
- Are building true tech ventures
- Have completed significant customer discovery
- Have developed a prototype or wireframe, informed by customer discovery
- Have a clear vision for the technical skills they need from their engineers to bring their vision to reality
Important Dates for Spring 2027
Columbia Build Lab (CBL) welcomes new cohorts three times each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
- Applications Open: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Applications Close: Sunday, November 29, 2026
- CBL Pitch Day: Friday, December 4, 2026
For Engineers
Through Columbia Build Lab, you will gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects with promising early-stage startups. Beyond the experiential learning opportunity, the program will expose you to new industries and perspectives while giving you the chance to build connections with MBA students and undergraduate and graduate students across a variety of fields.
Engineering roles
Columbia Build Lab offers opportunities to gain experience in the following areas:
- Software Engineer: Engineers are the backbone of any product. An ideal engineer can not only write logically and syntactically coherent code, but also review and contribute to code written by other collaborating engineers. We're looking for someone willing to understand the needs and structure of the product, and prepared to convert an idea into reality.
- Product Manager: Often dubbed as the mini-CEO, product manager works closely with the founders and helps create the overall direction of an MVP. An ideal candidate would be pursuing a technical degree and have the experience of working as a product management intern at a high growth or unicorn startup or a large tech company.
- Product Designer: Product designer is in charge of bringing the MVP to life. Our designer will be leading the process of creating products and usable experiences. They start by defining problems gathered from real users in search of viable solutions. An ideal candidate would be pursuing a degree in the related field and have the experience of working with Figma, Sketch or other prototyping tools.
Important Dates
Academic Credit & Participation Requirements
In order to participate in Columbia Build Lab, students are expected to receive academic credit:
Academic requirements and eligibility for academic credit vary by program, and the Columbia Build Lab team is not able to approve or authorize academic credit requests. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor about their eligibility to receive academic credit before submitting an application to participate in Columbia Build Lab.
Students are also responsible for determining whether participation in Columbia Build Lab is appropriate given their individual academic and professional goals and program requirements. Students should consult with their Academic Advisor and, when applicable, the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) before participating in the program. International students should work directly with ISSO to ensure that their participation in Columbia Build Lab is consistent with the requirements of their immigration status and that they remain in compliance with all applicable visa requirements. The Columbia Build Lab team is not able to provide immigration or visa-related guidance or determine whether an individual student’s participation is permissible under their immigration status.
Please note that as of Fall 2024, Columbia Build Lab does not offer a paid fellowship opportunity. Engineers may only participate for academic credit.
Engineering School Faculty Advisor
Lydia Chilton Assistant Professor - Columbia University
Lydia Chilton is an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at Columbia University where she leads the Computations Design Lab, a lab focused on building AI tools that enhance people’s productivity. Chilton teaches Columbia’s most passionate programmers and product designers, creating a strong pipeline to source undergraduate talent at Columbia Build Lab. Chilton sees Columbia Build Lab as an opportunity for undergraduates to gain formative startup experience and apply classroom teachings.
Contact:
Please send all general inquiries about the program, please contact [email protected].