Boost is a four-month Founder Fellowship operated by Company Ventures with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. It supports first-time founders who are building venture-scalable companies in New York City and have moved beyond the idea stage.
The hybrid program combines structured company-building support with mentorship, workshops, and a founder community. The 2027 cohort is scheduled for March through June 2027, with in-person activity centered at Company Ventures’ office at 22 Vanderbilt and selected virtual sessions.
Benefits & funding
- Small-group coaching, individualized mentorship, focused workshops, office hours, practical tools, and templates.
- Access to shared workspace in Midtown Manhattan and a network of founders, operators, investors, advisors, and ecosystem partners.
- Company Ventures will invest a total of $250,000 in one or more participating companies that meet its investment criteria; participation does not guarantee investment.
- The fellowship is zero-equity and mentor-led; the official pages do not state a participation fee.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a first-time founder actively building a venture-scalable tech or tech-enabled company based in New York City.
- At least one founder on the team must live in New York City; teams may include no more than two founders.
- The company must show early traction, such as a prototype, pilot customers, initial users, early revenue, or other market validation.
- The company must not have joined a previous NYCEDC-supported Founder Fellowship and may not take part in another accelerator during the fellowship.
- Participants must be able to commit about 8–10 hours per month to hybrid programming and mentorship.
- No degree, age, gender, or nationality restriction is stated.
Can you apply?
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Application process
- 1Review the Boost program details and join the notification list while applications are closed.
- 2When the 2027 application opens in fall 2026, complete the official Founder Fellowship application and select the appropriate operator route.
- 3Submit evidence of the company’s early traction, the founding team’s relevant expertise, and its ability to participate in the full program.
- 4Wait for the program’s selection decision and follow any interview or follow-up instructions issued to shortlisted teams.
Program timeline
Most recent confirmed application deadline, for the 2026 cohort
Dec 31, 2025
Fall 2026
Applications for the 2027 cohort open; the exact date is not published
March 2027
2027 cohort begins
June 2027
2027 cohort ends