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
- 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
Columbia Build Lab has three intakes per year in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Spring 2025 timeline intake:
- Final teams Announced: Friday, Jan 17th
- CBL Orientation: Friday, Jan 24th
For Engineers
Through Columbia Build Lab, you will be able to gain first-hand experience with promising early-stage startups. It will not only count as an internship experience, but it will also be a great opportunity for you to gain insights into other industries and make new connections with MBA students and other undergraduate/graduate students in various 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.
Academic Credit
In order to participate in Columbia Build Lab, it is expected that students will receive academic credit:
- For undergraduate students, up to 3 credits can be received for COMS 3998. If the student has already received 3 credits for COMS 3998, then up to 3 credits can be received for COMS 4901. Students are only eligible for COMS 4901 once they have received 3 credits for COMS 3998.
- For graduate students, academic credits will be for COMS 6901 or as approved by advisor and professor.
Academic requirements will vary by program. As such, you must speak with your Academic Advisor about the possibility of academic credit.
Please note that as of Fall 2024, Columbia Build Lab does not offer a paid fellowship opportunity. Engineers may only participate for academic credit.
Important Dates
Columbia Build Lab has three intakes per year – Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Spring 2025 timeline intake:
- Engineering Applications Open: Wednesday, Oct 9th
- Engineering Applications Close: Sunday, December 8
- Final teams Announced: Friday, Jan 17th
- CBL Orientation: Friday, Jan 24th
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].