Since its inauguration in June 2014, the Columbia Startup Lab (CSL) Soho has been a beacon of Columbia University's enduring commitment to innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. As a co-working establishment, the Columbia Startup Lab delivers customised programmes, mentorship, and a nurturing community environment for the nascent ventures of Columbia alumni. The lab's base at 69 Charlton Street has been the cradle of over 329 startup projects and 448 Columbia alumni entrepreneurs since its inception, cumulatively accumulating over $100M in invested capital and $115M through acquisitions.
In the privileged company of 59 carefully selected startups, we are thrilled to be part of the 2023-2024 cohort, a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation.
Our journey at CSL has been transformative. Through engaging workshops, we have fortified the foundations of our business, spanning crucial areas such as accounting, legal, HR, and digital marketing. The immersive learning experiences have equipped us with the tools to navigate the complex landscape of entrepreneurship.
HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Centre
The Techno-Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) functions as the vital entrepreneurial axis in HKU, coalescing and enhancing the university's endeavours in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. Concentrating on stimulating interdisciplinary collaboration, technology-based ventures, and industrial association, TEC is committed to its five indispensable roles: organising efforts, delivering education, offering backing, establishing links, and interfacing to maintain a flourishing entrepreneurial environment.
As active participants, our venture engaged in the prestigious HKUDeepTech100 program—an innovative initiative organized by TEC, aimed at translating deep tech research outcomes from top universities into the future businesses of Hong Kong
Climate Investment Challenge stands as one of the most expansive climate finance contest, aimed at the creation of unique financial strategies to tackle climate change. The esteemed Imperial College Business School, together with the Center for Climate Finance & Investment, present CIC as the breeding ground for inventive ideas and a pledge towards environmentally-friendly finance.
We won the Financial Disruption Prize 🏆
Our victorious enterprise strategies aren't mere solutions—they're a potent combination of financial and environmental innovation, redefining the financial sector and fighting environmental crises on a grand spectrum.
The Greenhouse - Undaunted
Recognized as the premier climate innovation incubator in Europe, The Greenhouse shines brightly as the top initiative for Undaunted—a partnership between The Royal Institution (Ri) and the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial. This scheme is committed to fostering 'pre-seed' early-stage startups, equipping them with the necessary skill-set and expertise to stand out in a competitive business environment. For over a 12-year span, The Greenhouse has been at the forefront of cultivating climate change innovators, successfully propelling viable, versatile, and relevant solutions that have a substantial global impact.
We have actively participated in the 12-month incubation program, immersing ourselves in Masterclasses, workshops, webinars, and events. Through these experiences, we have further cultivated the key skills and foster the essential contacts necessary for success in our entrepreneurial journey.
A key highlight of our time at the Greenhouse has been the invaluable guidance from the Mentors. From seasoned entrepreneurship experts to esteemed professors across Imperial College London, we have had unparalleled access to a diverse network of mentors. Their insights have been instrumental in shaping our strategic vision, refining our business model, and overcoming challenges.
Almaworks, Columbia University's esteemed startup accelerator, operates on a non-equity model, prioritizing substantial and sustainable growth for early-stage startups. The program offers direct access to accomplished mentors. Expert-led workshops cover key areas like design, product/growth hacking, funding, and legal considerations. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders provide startups with access to a curated suite of growth resources.
Market validation is a key focus, facilitated through connections to student product testers and integration into the expansive Columbia University network via the parent organization, CORE.
Almaworks is the latest acceleration program that ClimateKick joined, in February 2024
