The Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund Competition Selection Process
About
Important Dates
Eligibility
Apply
About the Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund
Established in 1996 with a $1 million gift from Eugene M. Lang, MS '40, the Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund ("The Lang Fund") fosters an entrepreneurial environment at Columbia Business School by providing early-stage investing opportunities to qualifying student ventures. It also allows the School to share in the success of funded ventures through negotiated equity or other participation.
The Lang Fund Selection Process offers graduating students serious about furthering their venture after graduation the opportunity to present their plan to a panel of judges who help select which students will advance to present to the Lang Fund Board of Directors. During the process, a select number of students will have the opportunity to make a formal presentation. Approximately five companies will be selected from the initial event to present to the Lang Fund Board for investment consideration.
Learn about the latest Lang Fund Recipients.
About the Lang Fund Competition's Selection Process
Important Dates
- Please check back for important dates in 2021.
Dates subject to change.
Eligibility & Requirements
Graduating students who intend to work on their ventures full-time after graduation are eligible to apply for funding from the Lang Fund Board. In order to apply you must be a Columbia Business School student graduating in May for MBAs and August for EMBAs.
The entry requirements include:
- Completed application highlighting venture accomplishments and intent to work on venture full-time
- Five to seven-page executive summary or presentation outlining your venture
- Participation in due diligence process
Note that while applications are accepted from ventures of all stages, preference may be given to companies that have shown initial traction and/or other types of market validation.
Apply
Applications are closed.
Conditions of Investment: In order to provide access to seed funding in a venture’s early stages, the Fund will make an initial investment in each venture, typically in the amount of $25,000-50,000, in the form of a convertible demand note for ventures that meet its investment criteria. This criteria requires that ventures have a viable business model with a good chance of success and a full-time commitment by the graduating student to the business as its owner or prime mover. The Fund retains the right to make an additional equity investment in the business when the business raises its first round of equity backed by professional investors.
The Board retains sole discretion for deciding which businesses it will fund each year and may decide in a given year to forgo the funding of any projects if none of the ventures presented meet its investment criteria.
Questions? Contact langcenter@gsb.columbia.edu.