Runway Startup Postdoc Program (2027 cohort)

About

A 12–24 month postdoctoral startup program at Cornell Tech’s Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute that helps recent PhDs in digital technology fields turn deep-tech research into companies through funding, mentorship, business education, and New York City workspace.

Benefits

• 💰Funding
  First-year package valued at $175,000, including an $80,000 salary and housing allowance, a $20,000 research budget, one-time IP registration/use valued at $25,000, and other benefits valued at $50,000; a conditional second-year package valued at $150,000 is also available, with one-year extensions considered for Startup Postdocs who have proven entrepreneurial prowess and decided by Runway leadership and external advisors.
• 📚Business Education
  Startup MBA and classes/workshops on entrepreneurship, product/market opportunity evaluation, customer development, startup strategy, product management, pitching, public speaking, and fundraising.
• 🤝Mentorship
  Access to a team of mentors and introductions/office hours with investors and mentors from the NYC ecosystem.
• 🏢Workspace
  Workspace at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute on the Cornell Tech campus, meeting rooms, office equipment, administrative support, and a maker lab with 3-D manufacturing tools, 3-D printers, and laser cutters.
• 🌐Community
  Shared working space, weekly cohort meetings called Scrums, monthly social events, and access to the Cornell, Technion, and NYC tech/entrepreneurship communities.
• 📜IP Rights
  Royalty-free, exclusive, and perpetual license from the Jacobs Institute, essentially conditioned on using the IP; one-time IP registration and use is included in the package.

Eligibility Criteria

• Startup Stage
• Mandatory requirement of being an entrepreneurial PhD who has graduated within the last five years, and occasionally PhD candidates nearing the end of their programs are accepted
• Technology Interest
• Mandatory requirement of interest in applying digital technologies in a broad sense, including AI, health technology, connective media, urban technology, security and privacy, computer vision, and public interest technology
• Preferred Qualities
• Preferred passion for applying research to real-world needs, entrepreneurial drive and spirit, willingness to be flexible and embrace uncertainty, ability to work well on a team, and effective communication
• Citizenship and Visa
• No U.S. citizenship is required, and international Startup Postdocs can receive forms to apply for a J-1, O1, or another appropriate visa, but only the Startup Postdoc is entitled to a visa

Participation Commitments

• Equity
• The Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute will have equity shares in the company (typically around 8.5%), with no major decision-making provisions
• U.S. Incorporation
• The company must be incorporated in the U.S. to participate
• Residency
• Participants are expected to live in New York City to access Runway, Cornell Tech campus, and local startup ecosystem benefits
• Visa and Legal Presence
• The Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute will provide forms to apply for a J-1, O1, or another appropriate visa for the Startup Postdoc’s duration; only the Startup Postdoc is entitled to a visa, and non-citizen co-founders or employees must be legally present in the U.S. to work for the company

Target Region

New York City, NY, USA.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other