W. R. Berkley Innovation Labs

12/19/2025

As the year winds down, we’re celebrating the NYU community pushing entrepreneurship forward, testing ideas, building new ventures, and exploring what’s possible. Your curiosity, creativity, and persistence have been a powerful force throughout our programs this year, and we’re grateful for every founder who shows up ready to learn, iterate, and grow.

We're so grateful for our volunteers, mentors, and supporters who power our mission and make this work possible. Your time, expertise, and belief in our vision strengthens the opportunities we’re able to offer NYU’s entrepreneurs and changemakers.

We’re closing out the year with gratitude and opening 2026 with energy! We can’t wait to share new programs, welcome new ideas, and support the next wave of innovation across the NYU community!

Here’s to rest, clarity, momentum, and meaningful wins in the year ahead.

🎁 Still looking for a last-minute gift? Support NYU founders and discover one-of-a-kind products in our Holiday Gift Guide: https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/holiday-gift-guide/

12/18/2025

💸 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition is not just about finding the right deal. It is about understanding the person on the other side of the table.

At Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition The Seller’s Perspective, our final workshop of the year, we brought together former business owners and experienced advisors for a candid conversation on what it truly means to sell a business.

Moderated by Jeffrey Carr, Clinical Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at NYU Stern, the lineup of guest speakers featured Brian Anderson (MBA ’96) of MegOwen LLC, Von Bryant of Foley and Lardner LLP, and Stephen Garrow (MBA ’89) of Travelin Bone Entertainment.

Drawing on firsthand experience, speakers explored the human, emotional, and strategic realities sellers face when deciding to exit, from timing and buyer evaluation to trust, legacy, and the uncertainty of letting go.

What were some key takeaways? 🤔
💡 Sellers often weigh legacy, trust, and continuity as heavily as price
💡 Empathy and preparation lead to stronger relationships and better outcomes
💡 Clear buyer intent and post acquisition vision reduce seller anxiety
💡 Successful ETA outcomes depend on understanding the human side of the deal

Learn more about event and lessons from the day in our full recap at: https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/2025/12/entrepreneurship-through-acquisition-the-sellers-perspective/

12/10/2025

📦 We just published our recap of the CPG Workshop Series: From Concept to Cart—a three-part program led in partnership with Johnnie Yu of Listen Ventures to help founders navigating the early stages of building a consumer product.

With insights from guest speakers Alex Fine (Dame Products), Julia Nimocks (Freaks of Nature), and Vanessa Pham (Omsom), the workshops explored everything from testing and customer discovery to brand strategy, operations, and getting products into customers’ hands.

📰 To explore the core lessons, session insights and the key takeaways from the series, head to our full recap at: https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/2025/12/the-cpg-founders-journey-lessons-from-the-concept-to-cart-workshop-series/

🎁 And speaking of CPG ventures, if you're interested in supporting some NYU founded CPG ventures, you can find several featured in our annual Holiday Gift Guide at: https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/holiday-gift-guide/

11/28/2025

The window is closing to join NYU’s premier venture competition! ⏰
Applications for this year’s NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge close THIS SUNDAY, don’t miss your chance to take your startup to the next level with exclusive resources and the opportunity to compete for seed funding.

Accepted applicants receive:

✅ Curated workshops & boot camps
✅ Personalized 1:1 coaching from industry experts
✅ Support from MBA Venture Associates
✅ The chance to compete for up to $225K in total seed funding + pro bono services

The clock is ticking, submit your application before it’s too late!

⏰ Deadline: Sunday, November 30 at 11:59 PM ET
📩 Apply at: https://nyusternberkleycenter.smapply.io/

11/28/2025

Looking for great deals this holiday season? 🏷️ The Berkley Center’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide has you covered!

Explore our collection of products from NYU-founded ventures, featuring exclusive deals and promotions for the NYU community. With offerings spanning multiple industries, you’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list, all while supporting NYU entrepreneurs.

Start your holiday shopping now 👉 https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/holiday-gift-guide/

11/26/2025

As we take a short break for the holiday, we can’t help but reflect on how thankful we are for our community, and for the supporters and volunteers who make our work possible.

To the speakers, panelists, mentors, alumni, partners, and countless others who generously share their time and expertise: thank you. Your commitment strengthens the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship and empowers NYU’s innovators to learn, build, and grow.

We’re grateful for your continued collaboration and the impact you make across our programs. Here’s to the community that makes it all possible! 💜

11/25/2025

🎁✨ Tis the season... to start thinking about the holiday season, and with The Berkley Center’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve got you covered!

Featuring exclusive deals for products and services from dozens of hashtag innovators, there’s something for everyone on your holiday shopping list!

Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping using the Gift Guide at: https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/holiday-gift-guide/

Featuring products from NYU founder ventures, the Berkley Center Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone on your list!

11/24/2025

POV you applied and got into NYU’s premier venture competition! 🚀 There’s just ONE WEEK left to apply to this year’s NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge, don’t miss your chance to take your startup further faster with exclusive resources and a chance to compete for seed funding!

⏰ Deadline: Sunday, November 30 @ 11:59 PM ET
📩 Apply at our !

11/24/2025

Only ONE week left! 🚨 If you’re an NYU entrepreneur who’s ready to take your startup to the next level, don’t miss your chance to apply to this year’s NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge! NYU’s premier venture competition hosted by, accepted applicants have access to:

✅ Curated workshops & boot camps
✅ Personalized 1:1 coaching experts in your industry
✅ Support from MBA Venture Associates
✅ The chance to compete for up to $225K total in seed funding plus pro bono services.

Interested? 🤔 Time's ticking! Get started on your application today!

⏰ Deadline: Sunday, November 30 @ 11:59 PM ET
📩 Application: https://nyusternberkleycenter.smapply.io/

11/20/2025

🤝 Behind every successful business acquisition is a seller making one of the biggest decisions of their life.

Join us on Wednesday, December 3 for Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA): The Seller’s Perspective, a candid conversation with business owners and advisors who share what it’s really like to sell a business.

They’ll cover topics like:
🔍 How they evaluated timing and buyer fit
💬 What motivated them, and what worried them
📑 How they approached negotiations and offers
🏁 What ultimately led them to choose the buyer they did

Whether you’re searching, raising funds, or looking to sell, understanding the experience of those who have gone through the process is key to navigating the complicated landscape of ETA. Here are the details:

📅 Wednesday, December 3
⏰ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
📍 NYU Stern School of Business
🎟️ RSVP: https://luma.com/9nc98vih

Gain insights that will help you build better relationships, craft stronger offers, and negotiate with empathy and effectiveness.

11/19/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's MBA Venture Associates Info Session to learn more about this unique graduate fellowship! 🚀 A special thanks to Paul Oliver and AJ Aziz, who joined to share a bit about their experience in the program!

💼 We're thrilled to be partnering again with the NYU Stern: Entrepreneurship & Startup Association (ESA) to offer the MBA VA graduate fellowship program, which offers graduate students the chance to work directly with early-stage startups from the NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge! If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, consulting, VC, or private equity, this is the perfect hands-on experience!

Interested? 🤔 📅 Applications for this year's MBA VA program are open until Friday, December 5 @ 11:59 PM EST!

📝 Get started on your application at: https://tally.so/r/A7Pp6W