Research-to-Startup Pipeline

Operates an AI research hub since 2008 focused on machine learning diagnostics for agriculture, health, and livestock; develops AI-for-education tools like LearnBridge; launched Uganda’s first MSc in AI; and built the SALT dataset covering six Ugandan languages to support sovereign AI development.

Supports a network of 2,500 registered data scientists and AI developers, deploys AI tools to 35,000 primary school students in northern Uganda in 31 local languages, and conducts hackathons and workshops across regional universities to grow local AI capacity.

Organizes and moderates panels on AI infrastructure, data, education, talent, and policy at events like the DeepTech Summit in Kampala, and facilitates forward-looking commitments from stakeholders to advance responsible AI development in Africa.

Provides entrepreneurship training led by national and international experts, one-on-one mentorship, and certified training for coaches and ecosystem stakeholders. Includes bootcamps, online programs, and collaboration with Columbia Engineering and Columbia Business School.

Funds early-stage startups through SAFE investment tickets of $20,000, provides access to pre-seed funding without equity exchange, and awards 1,500–2,000 TND to green startups via the OST Greenification Program. Operates investment arm Openers First to finance selected ventures.

Implements an investment readiness program that supports startups in financial modeling, pitch preparation, governance, and business strategy, and facilitates connections between startups and investors, venture capitalists, and accelerators. Includes participation in the Columbia Venture Competition and immersion in New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Co-designed and operates a pan-African pre-seed accelerator program for early-stage startups and individual talents, delivering hybrid programming that advances startups from proof of concept to minimum viable product development and launch. The program includes mentorship, training, and ecosystem engagement.

Organizes in-person regional gatherings and startup competitions in Tunisia and Morocco, including fully funded immersion weeks and collaboration opportunities with Columbia MBA students, to support networking, knowledge exchange, and national/international exposure for African startups.

Conducts and publishes research including a Pan-African roundtable white paper, an African Deeptech Ecosystem Mapping Study Report, and an interactive dashboard to support evidence-based development of the African deeptech ecosystem.

Operates as a pan-African innovation platform active in 19 countries, providing incubation, capacity building, and support for startups from ideation through investment readiness, with a focus on soft tech and deep tech ventures in health, climate, and AI sectors.

Manages a 35,000 square foot incubator facility in Binghamton, NY, equipped with co-working spaces, offices, and high-tech laboratories to support startup collaboration and innovation.

Offers tools and resources designed to support the growth and success of startup companies within the incubator ecosystem.

Leads research initiatives to develop innovative treatments and devices, including a pan-coronavirus antiviral peptide, a glioblastoma therapy (ST-36), a p53-targeting treatment for ovarian cancer, cold plasma systems for toenail fungus, a cardiac output monitor, smartphone-based blood pressure technology, and Sweet Defeat—a clinically proven lozenge to reduce sugar cravings.

Provides member startups with access to New York Medical College’s core research resources, including a 31,000 square-foot vivarium for large and small animal research, the Clinical Trials Unit, and advanced scientific instrumentation to support R&D from inception through product launch.

Enables biotech and medtech startups to collaborate with New York Medical College faculty, clinicians, and scientists, providing access to biomedical expertise and fostering innovation through peer and institutional engagement.

Provides startups with strategic business support including business planning, capital management, leadership development, and guidance toward funding milestones. The incubator also accepts applications based on technology commercial potential and graduation milestones.

Offers flexible, turnkey laboratory and work space—including wet and dry labs, offices, co-working desks, and shared advanced equipment—to life science startups on the New York Medical College campus. The facility includes over 10,000 square feet of expanded space and a LEED Gold-certified building promoting sustainable design.

Supports incubated companies by granting access to NYMC’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), along with laboratory safety guidance to ensure regulatory compliance in research activities.