Overview

The NYC Next Idea 2013-2014: Global New Venture Competition invites teams from around the world to submit business ideas that can be launched and operated in New York City.

Finalist teams will win an all-expense paid trip to New York City in Spring 2014 to present their idea to a prestigious panel of judges who will decide the prize winners. Prizes include a cash pool of $35,000, free workspace in NYC, pro bono legal advice, and mentorship from the New York City venture capital and startup community.

The competition is looking for ideas that address issues encountered in New York City as a result of the city’s infrastructure, industries, demographics, and space. This includes ideas addressing urban challenges found in NYC, as well as ideas aligned with major industries found in NYC such as fashion, financial services, media, and advertising.

Presented by New York City Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with Columbia University, this contest can put you at the forefront of the City's latest business breakthroughs.

Previous Winners of the competition have raised significant funding, hired employees, and have grown into vibrant businesses in New York City. Applications have closed.

2013-2014 NYC Next Idea Winner 

Congratulations to Senvol for winning the fifth annual NYC Next Idea Global New Venture Competition!

A Philadelphia-based group that leverages 3D printing to disrupt the distribution and supply of industrial parts, was selected from a highly competitive and diverse pool of more than 240 applicants from 51 countries.  Senvol will receive the grand prize of $35,000, six months of free office space at Columbia Startup Lab and pro bono services from GLG Share, JustWorks, and Michael Kasdan with Wiggin and Dana LLP.

AirCare Labs was chosen as the runner-up and will receive six months of free office space at Columbia Startup Lab.

2013-2014 Finalists

• Edenworks: U.S.-based company that delivers the future of urban farming with a sustainable, closed-loop agricultural technique that yields five to eight times more than traditional farming while consuming 10% less water and energy.
• AirCare Labs: AirCare Tablet and AirCare Voice, based in the U.S., offer inexpensive and convenient solutions that allow clinicians to remotely monitor patients through customized checklists via tablets or telephones.
• NYC Breathe: UK and the U.S.-based company that makes a wireless pollution sensor that measures and transmits the levels of major pollutants. These sensors are attached to busses, taxis, and cars and thereby collect and aggregate pollution data in real-time that conveniently displays as a heat-map.
• NINU: German-based company that is the first digital pregnancy companion that offers comprehensive advice for a better lifestyle to expectant mothers through an app-hardware-service.
• Magazino: German-based company that sells automated storage-solutions that range from entire pallets to individual items. It can license its detection and storage algorithms and seeks to create a world-wide database of how to best handle goods with robots.
• Senvol: U.S.-based company that leverages 3D printing to disrupt the distribution and supply of industrial parts. They focus on which spare parts can best be manufactured via 3D printing, resulting in a reduction in secondary costs such as shipping and inventory.