Igniting SEAS Startups

Jun 12 2014 | The cFUND Ignition Grants is the School’s latest program to provide financial grants for its growing and vibrant entrepreneurial community.

In line with its mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, Columbia Engineering has introduced a new program that will give a financial boost to student startups. The cFUND Ignition Grants is the School’s latest program to provide financial grants for its growing and vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Thirteen early-stage startups, led by students, have so far collectively received nearly $135,000 in cFUND Ignition Grants out of a pool of some 70 applications. Grant recipients’ startup ideas ranged from new text-to-image software, innovative health care web applications, and 3D sculpture reproductions brought directly to the user. Each venture team was required to submit business summaries by the April 27 deadline, which underwent a review and selection process by the School’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and Columbia Engineering Dean Mary C. Boyce.

“Fostering a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurial culture is a key component of our School’s mission to educate and encourage our students to become future game changers,” says Boyce. “The School is pleased to have donors who recognize and support our student entrepreneurs and their innovative, cutting-edge concepts and startups that will transform several sectors, including high-tech, sports and recreation, health, social media, and more."

The program, made possible by a generous donor, is open to all current Columbia Engineering students with an early-stage startup. The School intends to award funding through this program once each academic year. 

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