Our events and workshops
At ELab, we organize workshops with external partners, info-sessions, mid-way pitches & demo days to connect you with us and our fellows and our progress and alumni day events.
Upcoming Events
Past Events
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Elab Meetups featuring XRC Venture’s Sam Wils
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ELab Meet-Ups Workshop Day
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ELab Meet- ups featuring Julian Darwhall
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Startup Law 101
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Book Launch: A Design-Driven Guide for Entrepreneurs
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Mission Workshop Spring 2023
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Convening – Bridging the Divide for black and brown innovation and tech entrepreneurs in NYC Spring 2023
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MIND WORKSHOP SPRING 2023
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METHOD WORKSHOP SPRING 2023
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Multiplicity Workshop Fall 2023
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Citi Ventures x Parsons ELab Virtual Design Challenge Fall 2020
- Complete this form by clicking here.
- Send an email to parsonselab@gmail.com with any questions you have about the event or eligibility!
- Participants will be offering concepts and feedback on Citi products and services.
- Citi representatives will pick top proposals with the Elab team.
- Proposals will be selected based on innovation, feasibility, impact, brand fit, and proposal presentation.
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CitiVentures x Parsons ELab Design Sprint Spring 2020
- Complete this form by clicking here. Only 30 spots available.
- Send an email to parsonselab@gmail.com with any questions you have about the event or eligibility!
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ELAB Fireside chat Go Fund Yourself| Oct 10 /19
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Join us for ELAB Demo Day 2019
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ELAB Fireside chat with Kurt Kratchman | April 5 /19
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Branding session with Edward Cardimona | March 26/19
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First PiNG | March 15 /19
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Design Jam Workshop | February 16 /19
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ELAB Fireside Chat with Gary Swart | Feb 27 / 19
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ELab presents: Demo Day | November 15, 2018
- When: Thu, November 15, 2018 | 9:30 AM
- Where: Parsons The New School 63 5th Avenue | UC L105
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ELab presents: Pitch Night | October 18, 2018
- When: Thu, October 18, 2018 | 6:00 PM
- Where: Parsons The New School – Eugene Lang building 65 West 11th St | Wollman Hall B500
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ELab presents: 2019 Info Session | September 20, 2018
- When: Thu, September 20, 2018 | 5:00 PM
- Where: Parsons The New School 63 5th Avenue |UC L105
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ELab presents: Go Fund Yourself | September 13, 2018
For the 3rd year in a row, we are excited to announce that our own alumnus MS SDM Class of 2015 Shawn Nelson will attend and moderate the panel! Shawn founded LoveSac in 1995. He won a $1 million investment on Fox’s “Rebel Billionaire” show in 2005 and became President of Virgin Worldwide with Richard Branson’s companies for a time. Shawn grew Lovesac to a 60 store (and counting) chain with an ever expanding suite of patented furniture inventions. Lovesac was named America’s fastest growing furniture retailer in 2013.
Susan Shiroma, Senior Social Sector Librarian provides leadership and support for Foundation Center public services for social sector professionals in the NY metro area. She is a popular and engaging Foundation Center training expert and public speaker. She is former Chair of the Consortium of Foundation Libraries, an affinity group of Council on Foundations. Susan is currently on the Board of Directors of King Manor Museum in Jamaica, NY and has contributed over a decade of public service and advocacy work on behalf of New York City’s community education councils. She has an M.L.S. from Columbia University and a B.A. from Barnard College.-
Elab Alumni Spotlight: Shahrouz Varshabi, Founder of Designity
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The Do School, partner with Parsons ELab, Announces the Students Selected for the INNOVATE NYC 2018 Program
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ELab Presents: 2019 Spring Info Session & Business Model Workshop | Saturday, 28th April 2018, 12:00-3:00PM
- What is your business model?
- What is your unique value?
- What is your financial plan?
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ELab presents: Midway presentations | Thursday, 26th April 2018 6:00-8:00PM
Elab Meetups featuring XRC Venture’s Sam Wils
December 1, 2023 - December 1, 202312:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Join us every Friday from 12:30 to 2:00 pm for our Elab Meetups event, a recurring gathering designed to cultivate a thriving community around entrepreneurship! Whether you’re a student eager to explore the journey of entrepreneurship, a budding entrepreneur with innovative ideas, or someone already managing their own company, this event is your gateway to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the heart of NYC.
This Friday we are going to have a special guest from XRC Ventures, a venture capital firm and accelerator. Some of our Elab members are going to pitch their startups to them, and you are all invited to join and support your peers!
At Elab Meet – ups, we bring together various volunteers from students, entrepreneurs, mentors, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, united by a common passion for the entrepreneurial journey.
Our goal is to help you connect, collaborate, and thrive in the world of entrepreneurship through a variety of engaging activities and discussions. Drop by and stay for as long as you can. Share, learn, and support one another. All are welcome!
ELab Meet-Ups Workshop Day
November 17, 2023 - November 17, 202312:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Parsons School of Design
Join us this Friday from 12:30 to 2:00pm for our Elab Meet-Up, a recurring casual meet-up designed to cultivate a thriving community around entrepreneurship! Drop by and stay for as long as you can. Share, learn and support one another.
Whether you’re a student eager to explore the journey of entrepreneurship, a budding entrepreneur with innovative ideas, or someone already managing their own company, this event is your gateway to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the heart of NYC.
At Elab Meet-Ups, we bring together students, entrepreneurs, mentors, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, united by a common passion for the entrepreneurial journey.
Our goal is to help you connect, collaborate, and thrive in the world of entrepreneurship through a variety of engaging activities and discussions.
ELab Meet- ups featuring Julian Darwhall
November 10, 2023 - November 10, 202312:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Parsons School of Design
Join us this Friday from 12:30 to 2:00pm for our Elab Meet-Up, a recurring gathering designed to cultivate a thriving community around entrepreneurship! Whether you’re a student eager to explore the journey of entrepreneurship, a budding entrepreneur with innovative ideas, or someone already managing their own company, this event is your gateway to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the heart of NYC.
At Elab Meet-Ups, we bring together students, entrepreneurs, mentors, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, united by a common passion for the entrepreneurial journey.
Our goal is to help you connect, collaborate, and thrive in the world of entrepreneurship through a variety of engaging activities and discussions.
Startup Law 101
October 30, 2023 - October 30, 20234:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: 63 5th Avenue, UL 104 (University Center)
Join us for “Law 101,” an enlightening event hosted by Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab in collaboration with the Brooklyn Law Incubator & Policy (BLIP) Clinic!
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, knowledge is power. Understanding the legal aspects of running a business is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab has teamed up with BLIP Clinic to provide you with essential insights into the legal landscape that can impact your venture.
At “Law 101,” you will have the opportunity to:
– Gain foundational knowledge of key legal principles affecting startups and businesses.
– Engage with experienced legal experts from BLIP Clinic who will answer your questions.
– Network with fellow entrepreneurs and legal professionals.
Why attend “Law 101”?
Join us at “Law 101” to gain the legal knowledge and insights that will empower you on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re just starting or well into the starting up journey, this event is your opportunity to equip yourself with the tools necessary for success.
Meet Our Co-Host: BLIP Clinic
We are thrilled to introduce our co-host for this event! Led by Jonathan Askin, a distinguished legal expert and a faculty member at Brooklyn Law School. With extensive experience in technology law, entrepreneurship, and policy, Jonathan is passionate about helping young entrepreneurs navigate the legal complexities of the startup world.
You can learn more about Jonathan Askin by visiting his profile here.
Book Launch: A Design-Driven Guide for Entrepreneurs
November 2, 2023 - November 2, 20235:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Wollman Hall (Eugene Lang Building, Room B500)
Join the authors of “A Design Driven Guide for Entrepreneurs: Strategies for Starting up in a Multiverse” to celebrate the launch of their new book.
A panel discussion with Parsons ELab fellows will center around a holistic design-driven approach imbued with the values of social and environmental justice. Hear how these values impacted their journey from student to successful founder. The conversation will provide valuable insights to the Next Generation Entrepreneur who believes in creating a more just and verdant world by starting up.
📚 About the Book:
Authored by a multidisciplinary team of practicing design strategists, business leaders, academics, and entrepreneurs, this hands-on guide models strategic design as a mindset for starting up in a VUCA world: framing problems, applying methods, identifying opportunities, and creating pathways forward through futures and systems thinking. Carefully curated case studies of young impact-driven entrepreneurs along with resources, including action-based frameworks, diagrams, and templates for founders to replicate, and a reader’s checklist to enable the transformation of daily practice, will open new dimensions that amplify the global shift towards a more regenerative world and a multiverse of possibilities.
🎤 Meet the Authors:
Co-authors in attendance are Rhea Alexander, Kiely Sweatt, and Rose Pember. As design-led founders and authors, they will share their knowledge, insights, and experiences.
🌟 Special Guests:
We will have a panel of Elab Alumni founders featured in the book, including:
Andy McCune, co-founder at Unfold Stories and Cosmos
Alfonso Cobo, co-founder at Unfold Stories
Jeff Lindor, Founder and CEO of Gentlemen’s Factory
Shahrouz Varshabi, Founder and CEO of Designity
Zi Xuan and Yijia Wang, Founders of Advene
Mark Randall, Founder of B-Line Ice Cream
These visionary entrepreneurs will share their journeys and how design-driven strategies propelled them to success. Prepare for an inspiring and informative discussion you won’t want to miss!
🚀Our moderator:
Swalé Nunez, Founder at Enoem, Adjunct Professor at Parsons, and Forbes Content Contributor
🎉 What to Expect:
– Engaging panel discussions
– Opportunity to ask your pressing questions in a Q & A
– Discount code for book purchases
– Networking opportunities with authors and founders
Mission Workshop Spring 2023
With the mindset focused, we look at the context, the driving why: why you, why now, and why this? With these answers, in workshop 2 of 4 Elab Workshops for Budding Entrepreneurs, we will build a bold vision for the future, articulating the mission and the values that will define our purpose and unite people. A clear mission helps craft and instills a culture within companies as a world within the more extensive ecosystem we are part of and helping to shape. These values are carried forward through the offering we deliver, how we make an impact, and bring people together.
This event is part of a series, Elab Events for Budding Entrepreneurs: Starting up in a Multiverse.
Convening – Bridging the Divide for black and brown innovation and tech entrepreneurs in NYC Spring 2023
Parsons Elab is proud to join forces with NYCIC and Gentlemen’s Factory, an innovation lab and social movement founded in 2014 by an Elab alumni fellow, Jeff Lindor. Together, we will discuss DEI in tech, raising capital, and the future of tech for black-owned businesses.
Whether you’re seeking to enter the tech or innovation space, a leader in a venture, or a blossoming entrepreneur, come learn from GF members’ experiences, engage in an open discussion, hear from startups, and participate in our 3rd workshop focusing on creating a Mission for your startup purpose!
Agenda includes: panel discussions, startup pitches, a breakout workshop, and networking.
MIND WORKSHOP SPRING 2023
With the mindset focused, we look at the context, the driving why: why you, why now, and why this? With these answers, in workshop 2 of 4 Elab Workshops for Budding Entrepreneurs, we will build a bold vision for the future, articulating the mission and the values that will define our purpose and unite people. A clear mission helps craft and instills a culture within companies as a world within the more extensive ecosystem we are part of and helping to shape. These values are carried forward through the offering we deliver, how we make an impact, and bring people together.
This event is part of a series, Elab Events for Budding Entrepreneurs: Starting up in a Multiverse.
METHOD WORKSHOP SPRING 2023
Today’s world is a dynamic, interconnected, and complex environment. Your startup—or the concept and soon-to-be startup—is a system. It includes a set of things working together to create an outcome that would be impossible without all the parts. Understanding the way it works and interconnectedness is vital for your success as an entrepreneur. With a mindset (workshop 1) and mission (workshop 2), we will shift into workshop 3 METHOD. Here we’ll walk through frameworks and tools to kick-start your concept, engaging stakeholders to build your startup success.
Whether you’re a startup or a blossoming entrepreneur, join us in navigating system mapping for starting up!
This event is part of a series, Elab Events for Budding Entrepreneurs: Starting up in a Multiverse.
Multiplicity Workshop Fall 2023
October 7, 2023Location: Parsons School of Design
Join us to adopt strategic design as a mindset for framing problems, applying methods, identifying opportunities, and creating pathways forward through futures and systems thinking to drive your own startup and develop a bold vision for the future.
Citi Ventures x Parsons ELab Virtual Design Challenge Fall 2020
Participate in a virtual design challenge with Parsons ELab & Citi Ventures to help create more equitable opportunities for learning & professional development, wealth-building careers & underrepresentation in different kinds of labor.
Challenge runs from October 30th – November 5th, 2020!
Winning price: $750 cash prize and a day in the life of a Citi Venture team member in NYC with an amazing opportunity to meet top executives at Citi Ventures.
Applications due by 11:59 AM (EST) on October 23rd, 2020. Apply here.
Eligibility:
This is an open call for all current New School students & alumni from a wide range of backgrounds who are interested in creating diversity, equity & inclusion!
The Benefit:
This challenge is a fantastic opportunity to meet and engage with like-minded students, network with service design industry experts, talent scouts from Citi, boost your resume & portfolio! Students will apply design thinking brainstorming methods to tackle a systemic problem.
Challenge Schedule:
Timezone: EST
| Friday, Oct 30th | Virtual Kick-off (all video content) | |
| Sunday, Nov 1st | (2 hour) Live Online Mural/Zoom office hours with Elab + CitiVentures | |
| Thursday, Nov 5th | 11:59 AM | Submission deadline |
| Thursday, Nov 5th | 3:00-4:30pm | Celebration and announcements with Citi Leadership x Parsons Elab |
Application Requirements:
Note:
This event is a partnership between Citi Ventures and Parsons ELab.
CitiVentures x Parsons ELab Design Sprint Spring 2020
The Parsons ELab and CitiVentures are hosting a brainstorming design sprint on March 11th! The day will consist of a workshop, lunch, sharing session and a networking hour in the afternoon. The winning prize will be a day in the life of a CitiVenture team member in NYC with an amazing opportunity to meet top executives at CitiVentures and the D10X incubator. Applications due March 1st, 2020. Application available here. Only 30 spots available.
UPATE: Thank you for your applications. Participants have been selected. This event has been postponed due to the Coronavirus.
Workshop Eligibility:
This is an open call for all current students from a wide range of backgrounds who are interested in sustainability and entrepreneurship!
The Benefit:
This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to meet and engage with like-minded students, network and boost your resume! Students will apply design thinking brainstorming methods to tackle a global problem.
The Challenge:
How can we mitigate climate change impact through financial decision making and resilience planning?
The Day:
The Agenda for March 11th:
8:30 am — 9:00 am Check in (arrive early to get through security)
9:00 am — 9:30 am Introduction of challenge
9:30 am — 1:00 pm Ideation workshop & presentation preparation
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm Presentations, awards and lunch, followed by networking
Application Requirements:
This event is a partnership between CitiVentures and Parsons ELab.
ELAB Fireside chat Go Fund Yourself| Oct 10 /19
ELAB Fellows had the opportunity to pitch to these established entrepreneurs garnering valuable feedback and insights on their business development models.
Shawn Nelson graduated from the University of Utah.[3] In 1995, he made his first “not-bean bag” from shredded foam camp mattresses. Nelson founded LoveSac in 1998.[4][5] He hired a few college friends who helped him produce the “sacs” until Limited Too ordered 12,000 Lovesacs. Nelson obtained the requested fabric from a factory in China.[5][6][7] He opened the first retail location in 2001.[4][8] Nelson was given the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2003.[9] In 2005, Nelson appeared on Richard Branson‘s The Rebel Billionaire and won a $1 million investment.[2][6][8] He spent three months following the show as acting president of Virgin companies.[10][11] Nelson expanded his company’s products to include a changeable sectional couch.[12][13]
Nelson appeared on Young Entrepreneur Society in 2009.[14] He spoke at the Economy and You forum at Western Connecticut State University in 2015.[1] Nelson earned his master’s degree in Strategic Design and Management from Parson’s The New School for Design in 2015. He became a part-time instructor for the school. That same year, he appeared on the CNBC show Make Me a Millionaire Inventor.[15] In July 2015, Nelson gave the keynote address at the 40 Under 40 awards for Fairfield County, Connecticut.[16]
Alicia Syrett is the Founder and CEO of Pantegrion Capital, an angel investment vehicle focused on seed and early stage investments. She is a recurring panelist on CNBC’s Power Pitch and MSNBC’s Your Business, a Contributor for Inc., and an Instructor at Columbia University. She is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Women’s Forum of NY, and WomenCorporateDirectors. She currently serves on the Board of the NY Tech Alliance, several company and advisory boards and has served on the Board of Directors of New York Angels and as a Managing Director of Golden Seeds. She tweets @AliciaSyrett.
Ms. Syrett was named as one of the “30 Women in Venture Capital to Watch in 2018” by Business Insider, one of the “25 Angel Investors in New York You Need to Know” by AlleyWatch, one of Wharton’s “40 Under 40” by Wharton Magazine, and one of Virgin’s “Five Next Generation Leaders Emerging from Tech.” She has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Inc., The Huffington Post, Mashable, Entrepreneur, NPR’s Marketplace, and USA Today. She has also appeared on CNBC’s Make Me a Millionaire Inventor and Cash Crowd, Nightly Business Report (NBR) on PBS, and Fox Business’s Risk & Reward. She founded The Point 25 Initiative and also wrote a Guide for Entrepreneurs for #MentHERnyc, an event she co-founded.
Prior to founding Pantegrion, Ms. Syrett spent over 10 years in the financial industry, which included her entrepreneurial journey as the first employee and CAO of a multi-billion dollar private equity firm.
Join us for ELAB Demo Day 2019
Join us for the ELab Demo Day 2019 as our fellows take us on the journey of how they turned their ideas into thriving business ventures. Our startups will be pitching their businesses in front of the ELab community, potential investors, mentors, advisors and future team members!
Mark your calendars for final presentations from the 2019 cohort:
Where: Arnhold Hall, room I202
55 West 13th Street
Theresa Lang Community and Student Center
When: Wed, November 20th, 8.30 AM – 11 AM
Schedule:
8:30-9:00 AM: Breakfast and fellow showcase science fair style – Each team will have a table setup to display their product/website/app, signup people, provide discounts and market their business
9:00-10:15 AM: Team presentations and Q&A
10:15-11 AM: Networking
Come and witness what it takes to be an entrepreneur!
Register for the event here
ELAB Fireside chat with Kurt Kratchman | April 5 /19
Besides sharing his vast experience creating companies, the serial entrepreneur and Global business leader Kurt Kratchman asked our fellows 3 key questions during the fireside chat:
About Kurt Kratchman:
GVP, Product Development, and International at Oracle Data Cloud.
Branding session with Edward Cardimona | March 26/19
Current fellows had the fantastic opportunity to participate in the branding workshop led by Edward Cardimona, product and brand strategist, Parsons Professor, and ELAB mentor.
Besides learning about the magic behind successful brands, the fellows received guidance on how to apply marketing and storytelling tools to enhance their brand´s personality and better communicate their unique qualities.
About Edward Cardimona:
A global change agent and creative leader spearheading strategies with an innovative vision, and executed with a highly evolved design aesthetic, and interruptive marketing expertise. Re-inventing, re-energizing, and re-engaging brands has been at the forefront of these strategies in creating global brand positioning.
An effective problem solver and futurist with the keen ability to connect creative and business strategies through team development, creation and commercialization of product, and marketing strategies that connect in all channels of retail, and ultimately deliver a new experience to the consumer.
An experienced creative director executing and highlighting these skills across the home, apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty, and sport industries, with such great global brands as: Nike, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Cole Haan, John Varvatos, Michael Kors, Guess, Juicy Couture, Jonathan Adler, Pantone, Water Works, Avon, and Calvin Klein.
In addition to working with these brands, partnerships and products have been developed with these celebrity brands: Serena Williams, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Cindy Crawford, Sammy Hayek, Nate Berkus, Sophia Vergara, Adam Levine, Julianne Moore, Sharon Stone, and Ellen DeGeneres.
First PiNG | March 15 /19
First internal quarterly review for fellows to update each other and the ELAB team on their Progress, Needs & Goals.
PiNG reviews are a great opportunity for our fellows to share with each other their progress and foster collaborations.
During this PiNG, we also had the future-casting workshop Part II, in which the fellows learned tools for building better financial projections.
Design Jam Workshop | February 16 /19
Thanks to the high mentor attendance, we had a world cafe session with over 30 participants, where fellows, mentors and Elab Venture associates had the opportunity to share their different learnings and experiences as entrepreneurs as well as setting future meetings and alliances.
ELAB Fireside Chat with Gary Swart | Feb 27 / 19
Gary Swart is a Venture Partner investing in technology companies from our San Francisco office. He was previously the CEO of oDesk, the world’s largest online workplace with more than one million clients and five million freelancers.
Opening up with an introduction followed by a Q& A, our fellows got to sit and chat with Swart and run through their elevator pitches to receive feedback and insights on their business development.
ELab presents: Demo Day | November 15, 2018
Join us for ELab’s 2018 Demo Day !
Join us and find out about our fellow’s journey this past year, turning their ideas into thriving ventures.
Mark your calendars for our 2018 Cohort’s final presentations at Parsons ELab 12mo Program!!
It’s time for the startups to pitch their products and platforms in front of a group of investors and the ELab community.
RSVP here!
The 2018 Call for ELab’s Incubator program is now open – Apply online here, deadline is October 1st!
ELab presents: Pitch Night | October 18, 2018
Join us for ELab’s 2018 Pitch Night !
You are invited to help us select the ELab finalists on Pitch Night!
The new applicants for ELab’s 2019 12-month fellowship will pitch their startup and you get to choose the winner.
The jury for startup selection will consist of a panel of judges and all of YOU!.
Think Shark Tank, but you’re in charge.
RSVP here!
The 2018 Call for ELab’s Incubator program is now open – Apply online here, deadline is October 1st!
ELab presents: 2019 Info Session | September 20, 2018
Join us for ELab’s 2019 Information Session!
Interested in design-driven or impact entrepreneurship? Are you an alumni or will you be a recent graduate from The New School by December 2018? Have a great idea for a business, a current capstone, or school project, new idea…? Not sure how to monetize, or what business model to use?
Parsons ELab is looking for entrepreneurs interested in taking the next step in launching their business! Our 12month incubator program is committed to supporting promising startups.
If you’ve ever dreamed about turning your skills, creativity and passion into a business, join the Parsons ELab Info Session to learn about our offerings, with special focus on the 12-Month Fellowship and what it takes to be an ELab fellow. Get all of your questions answered at our Info session! No matter what stage you’re at, you’ll get a better picture of ELab’s Incubator program for the 2019 Cohort year, our application process and great tips to make your application stand out!
RSVP here!
The 2018 Call for ELab’s Incubator program is now open – Apply online here, deadline is October 1st!
ELab presents: Go Fund Yourself | September 13, 2018
ELab is hosting a Fireside Panel for our fellows on raising funds and growing capital: Go Fund Yourself!
Meet our panelists:
Elab Alumni Spotlight: Shahrouz Varshabi, Founder of Designity
Shahrouz Varshabi is a New York-based design and technology professional and creative entrepreneur, who turned his challenge of paying his tuition, as well as gaining real-world experience through online freelance projects into an educational standard for young designers. A graduate of Design & Technology at Parsons (class’14), he founded Designity in 2015, a community of local freelance designers who complete projects under art director supervision for quality assurance and training purposes. Through the online platform, one can create their project brief, collaborate with designers in real-time, and process payments, all in one place.
When he came to New York for his Masters, Shahrouz and his fellow classmates faced the same problems upon graduation: getting a job and paying off student loans. “Designers go to school in order to be educated and prepared for the real world. Unfortunately, around 44% of design graduate students find themselves unemployed 6 to 12 months after graduation” –Shahrouz Varshabi. As a solution to this problem, he created an online platform in the form of a bottom-up community built by creatives for creatives and a marketplace for business owners. Designity is working with top design universities and design organizations in the U.S. to provide business owners with a different level of verified designers and supervision under an Art Director. What started off as an online marketplace is now being considered as the first virtual design agency in the world. Designity currently charges a subscription fee (from $30 to $2,000) based on the company size on top of a fixed project fee. The subscription gives business owners access to a dedicated art director on an ongoing basis ensuring better control on the project quality and outputs. This is what clients have to say about the platform, “The art director participation made it easy for us to brainstorm a professional approach with our investor deck design” – Raphael Anstey, Co-founder, and CEO at CircleLink Health.
In 2016, Shahrouz’s sister, Sheida Varshabi, joined Designity as a co-founder, together they sought incubation support for Designity with Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab, a design based business incubator dedicated to entrepreneurship and research at The New School. Over 3 years of its operations, Designity has built a user base of over 6000 US based designers and 4000+ business owners. They have completed over 1000 projects and generated an income of over $210,000 with a team of 9 employees. “ELab really made my wish come true. Before I got to ELab, I just had an idea. Now I have an actual company. ELab has given me networking opportunities, as well as required expertise” – Shahrouz Varshabi
Recently, Designity received a funding of $225,000. Don Katz, Founder, and CEO of Audible (an Amazon company) who also founded Newark Venture Partners led the funding with Tom Wisniewski, Managing partner of Newark Venture Partners. “We spent the money to hire more sales, marketing, and art director employees. We’re now a team of 9 full-time. We just started raising our second round which is going to be $750K. Hopefully we will also close this round over the next 6-8 weeks. And again the plan is to grow the team and enhance the product” commented Shahrouz when asked about plans to use the funding money. Designity is not only empowering design students and entrepreneurs but also creating a standard in the creative industry for professional freelance designers and clients who are looking for quality design. Designity aims to be #1 freelancing platform in the world in the near future.
Designity and 5 other companies funded by Newark Venture Partners are pitching to a crowd of 500+ investors and business mentors on June 27th. If you have time please join for this amazing day. You can register here: https://nvpdemoday.splashthat.com
The Do School, partner with Parsons ELab, Announces the Students Selected for the INNOVATE NYC 2018 Program
Parsons ELab, in its 3rd year of partnership with Do School, announces the Students Selected for the INNOVATE NYC 2018, Future Pathways Challenge
Innovate NYC is a challenge based social innovation program open to university students across New York City. It brings together diverse participants from 11 different institutions in an intense hands-on studio format leading to the development of real-world design solutions to local challenges. Rhea Alexander, director and founder of ELab, serves on the board of advisors and is a founding member of Innovate NYC in the consortium of universities.
This year’s challenge is – ‘How might we enable youth from under-resourced communities to bridge the gap between education and employment – creating pathways to meaningful, family sustaining careers’
Parsons ELab and The New School are happy to share that the following 5 students have been selected for the 2018 Innovate NYC Future Pathways Challenge program.
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Cristina Iregui Casas
Cristina is a graduate student studying strategic design and management at Parsons. She has a bachelor’s degree in business and over 7 years of experience in marketing and communication strategies and has worked over the last 5 years as a Product Manager in the leading retail chain in Latin America. She is a creative and passionate person with a strong work ethic and aims to inspire people around her and deliver a positive impact. She is a proud Colombian and wants to pioneer design and sustainability practices in Latin American industries.
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Aryanna Martin
Aryanna is a design researcher and innovation strategist and is currently a graduate student of the SDM program at Parsons. Prior to this, she has done research and strategy work with organizations that aim to deliver innovation and create a positive impact on society, such as Works of Heart, Curiosity Design Strategy and Migo Entertainment. She believes in the power of design and collaboration between institutions in solving the world’s most pressing problems. Outside of work, Aryanna enjoys traveling, exploring cultures, and meeting new people. |
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Renuka Parashar
Renuka is a first-year graduate student in the SDM program at Parsons. Her interest in the possible outcomes of the intersection of business and design, in the context of sustainability, acted as motivation for her to study Design Strategy. The city of Chandigarh, designed by the master architect Le Corbusier, has acted as an inspiration for her to becoming an architect herself. After gaining few years of professional experience in the field and some international exposure in Switzerland, she has successfully delivered multiple projects of varying scales from concept to execution. Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors, swimming, bhangra and occasional hikes. |
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Anthonio Isoken Osagie
Anthonio is a Global Studies Major and Creative Writing minor at the New School with a focus in African development and diasporan studies. She has worked as a refugee tutor with the International Rescue committee and as a global ambassador for the new school. Prior to the New School, she has studied journalism and culture in Bangalore, India and North African and Islamic studies in Meknes, Morocco.
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Adam Chagani
With a background in international development, Adam is an adaptive problem solver who is deeply committed to understanding global issues and improving people’s livelihoods through market-based solutions. Over the past four years, he has been working with NGOs, nonprofits, startups, social enterprises and VCs in emerging markets across East and West Africa. Through this journey, he has worked at the intersection of global development, technology, and human-centered-design. He’s interested in exploring ways where we can design and scale well-designed products, services, and experiences to address complex social issues.
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ELab Presents: 2019 Spring Info Session & Business Model Workshop | Saturday, 28th April 2018, 12:00-3:00PM
Join us for ELab’s 2018 Spring Information Session.
This year’s Info Session will feature a Business Model Workshop with Indie.biz founder, Michael Megalli.
Interested in design-driven or impact entrepreneurship? Are you an alumni or will you be a recent graduate from The New School by December 2018? Have a great idea for a business, a current capstone, or school project, new idea…? Not sure how to monetize, or what business model to use?
If you’ve ever dreamed about turning your skills, creativity and passion into a business, we’ve designed this workshop just for you. The Parsons ELab is offering an Info Session and Business Model Workshop combined to introduce our offerings, with special focus on the 12-Month Fellowship.
Over the course of this workshop session, we’ll cover three fundamentals of any business:
For this workshop, the ELab has partnered with indie.biz and we’ll be using their powerful, data-driven tools to get you from your idea to a draft plan. This workshop is perfect for aspiring independents who have never started a business before, or more seasoned entrepreneurs looking for some help starting a new venture.
No matter what stage you’re at, you’ll come away with a better picture of what it takes and learn about ELab’s Incubator program for the 2018 Cohort year.
The 2018 Call for ELab’s Incubator program is in the Fall. Join us to meet the ELab team, Venture Associates, and scope out one of our partner spaces.
There will be FREE PIZZA, engaging discussion and a great opportunity to network!
Make sure to RSVP on the Eventbrite
ELab presents: Midway presentations | Thursday, 26th April 2018 6:00-8:00PM
