Applications Now Open: U-Labs NYC Fall 2025
A highly-selective intensive program helping immigrant engineers and scientists turn breakthroughs into venture-scale companies.
We’re thrilled to announce that applications are live for U-Labs NYC, a highly-selective intensive program for immigrant engineers and scientists at the very earliest stages of company-building.
Running September 16 – November 13, 2025, U-Labs is designed to help founders clarify their vision, validate ideas, and take the first steps toward building venture-scale companies.
What You’ll Get in U-Labs
Speaker Series: Learn from top builders including
Cristóbal Valenzuela (Runway)
Emmanuel Straschnov (Bubble)
Kendrick Nguyen (Republic)
…with more founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to be announced soon.
Mentorship: Guidance from experts at NYU, Cornell Tech, and across NYC’s tech community.
Ecosystem: Connect with other founders and different resources at exclusive events across the NYC deep tech ecosystem.
Co-working & Community: Weekly space to build, collaborate, and stay accountable.
Immigration Pathways: Get clarity on the different immigration options available to founders, including the O-1 visa.
Investment Opportunity: Participants will be considered for potential investment by Unshackled.
Who Is U-Labs For?
U-Labs is for immigrant engineers, scientists, and researchers who:
Have had a technical or scientific breakthrough (in the lab, at work, or through personal projects)
Are in the earliest stages of turning that insight into a startup
Want structure, mentorship, and community to explore how their idea can become a company
📍 Where & When
We’re proud to confirm Cooley and General Assembly as venue partners.
When: Twice a week, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6–8 PM ET
Why U-Labs?
U-Labs offers a curated intensive program for a small, selective cohort of immigrant founders, giving you direct access to the city’s top founders, investors, mentors, and attorneys. You’ll leave with a trusted community, a clear roadmap, and the chance to secure venture backing from Unshackled.
Apply Now
Applications are open on a rolling basis until August 31st. Expect one short video response and a few thoughtful questions around curiosity, decision-making, and grit.
Let’s build the next generation of immigrant-led, category-defining companies together.
— Unshackled Ventures
Immigrants Start Here.
About Unshackled Ventures: Unshackled Ventures is the only early-stage venture capital fund that enables unrecognized and excluded immigrant founders to start companies in the U.S. Since its founding in 2014, Unshackled has proven its thesis that investing and supporting this population drives strong investment returns across key industries, including American infrastructure, generative AI, healthcare, space, and enterprise SaaS. To date, the firm has invested in over 100 companies and over 250 entrepreneurs.