Newlab

What Newlab does

Newlab is a privately held venture platform founded in 2016 and headquartered at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, operating five global innovation hubs in Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo, and Riyadh. The company targets early-stage startups building 'critical technologies' in climate, mobility, energy, robotics, and industrial decarbonization, addressing the structural problem that 90% of such startups fail to reach market due to gaps in commercialization infrastructure, pilot access, and scaling capital. Newlab bundles three integrated offerings: physical infrastructure (technical labs, prototyping shops, pilot sites, the 380,000-sq-ft The 23rd manufacturing campus in Detroit, and workspaces), commercialization project facilitation with industry and government partners (Shell, Ford, JERA, Ørsted, General Dynamics, DOE, NYCEDC, Saudi MIM/Ma'aden), and access to aligned venture and non-dilutive capital (including a $75K Founder Fellowship investment and member exposure to 600+ angel investors).

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) custom-priced annual startup memberships across the five hubs, (2) project-based partnerships with industry and government counterparties funded through DOE awards and partner contributions, and (3) direct venture investments such as participation in Mantel's $30M Series A. The company supports 400+ member companies that have collectively raised over $5.8B in venture capital and achieved $2.3B+ in exits, with stated member valuations exceeding $20B and a 264-day reduction in time to Series A versus the industry average. Customer-facing brand assets include the New/Letter monthly newsletter and the New Climate Futures annual conference, which drew 1,400+ leaders in 2025. Newlab has raised approximately $28M across recent SEC-exempt securities offerings (2021 and 2023) and is led by Founder/CEO David Belt alongside Cam Lawrence as CEO, Garrett Winther as Chief Venture Officer, and regional MD Muneef AlMuneef in Riyadh.

Name

Newlab

Legal name

New Lab, LLC

Website

https://newlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Newlab is a venture platform operating five global innovation hubs (Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo, Riyadh) that provides critical technology startups with physical infrastructure, commercialization project facilitation, and capital access through partnerships with industry leaders and government entities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Startup Membership: Newlab offers startup membership programs providing access to workspace, labs, prototyping facilities, community, and potential pilots, capital, and customers through their network. Membership includes access to their 84,000 sq ft Brooklyn facility or other hub locations.
2. Project-Based Partnerships: Commercialization projects with industry and government partners where Newlab facilitates pilot deployments, provides technical expertise, and connects startups with deployment opportunities. Funded through DOE awards and partner contributions.
3. Founder Fellowship Investment: Newlab invests at least $75,000 across startups participating in the Founder Fellowship program, with potential for follow-on investment through their venture activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Newlab operates a venture platform for critical technology startups that combines physical infrastructure (technical labs, prototyping shops, pilot sites, manufacturing space, and workspaces across five global hubs) with commercialization project facilitation through industry and government partnerships and access to aligned venture and non-dilutive capital. The platform helps member startups move from prototype to scaled production by providing prototyping facilities, manufacturing space, direct connections to industry partners for pilot deployments, government funding pathways, and an investor network of 600+ angels and institutional VCs.

Product overview

Newlab is a venture platform for critical technology startups that operates across five global innovation hubs (Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo, and Riyadh). The platform provides startups with access to infrastructure (technical labs, shops, pilot sites, and workspaces), commercialization projects with industry and government partners, and an aligned network of venture and non-dilutive capital. The core Newlab Platform serves as the central offering, supported by specialized programs including the Founder Fellowship (startup support for underrepresented founders), The 23rd Manufacturing Campus (production-scale manufacturing facility in Detroit), and thematic open calls like the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge, Future Energy Storage Studio, and NYC DOT AI initiatives. Newlab also hosts the annual New Climate Futures conference and publishes the New/Letter newsletter. These programs and facilities work together to help critical technology startups move from concept through prototyping to scaled production and market deployment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Newlab Platform (Startup Membership) The Newlab Platform is a venture platform for critical technology startups providing membership access to infrastructure (technical labs, shops, pilot sites, workspaces), commercialization projects with industry and government partners, and aligned venture and non-dilutive capital to help startups scale from prototype to production across five global hubs in Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo, and Riyadh.
• Founder Fellowship Program A fellowship program supporting 15 critical technology startups founded by underrepresented founders, providing sponsored 12-month memberships, prototyping workshops, mentoring, pilot opportunities, and investment opportunities of up to $75,000 in partnership with NYCEDC, Bank of America, and Gunderson Dettmer.
• The 23rd Manufacturing Campus A 380,000-square-foot shared manufacturing campus in Detroit designed to help critical technology startups scale from prototype to production, featuring cranes ranging from 5 to 50 tons, high-load power, reinforced cement floors, 10 truck docks, and a private rail spur access.
• Global Ocean Innovation Challenge A partnership program with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) aimed at accelerating ocean conservation through startup-led innovation, offering a $200K non-dilutive stipend pool for pilot projects in fisheries and marine protected areas in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
• Future Energy Storage Studio A partnership with Ørsted focused on scaling novel, long-duration energy storage technologies beyond lithium-ion, supporting startups through feasibility studies, pilot stipends, and strategic partnerships for grid reliability and industrial decarbonization.
• NYC Safer Energy Storage Open Call A partnership with NYCEDC and Con Edison inviting startups to pilot innovative urban energy storage solutions in New York City, offering up to $240K in grant funding for safer lithium-ion designs, alternative chemistries, or community impact simulations.
• NYC DOT AI Open Call A partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation inviting startups to pilot AI-enabled technologies for street-level asset management, including speed limit sign monitoring, streetlight outage detection, and construction permit compliance.
• Louisiana EPIC Programs DOE-funded technology commercialization programs in Louisiana focused on carbon management and clean hydrogen, supporting nine industrial decarbonization climate-tech startups through pilot development with regional partners including Shell, Battelle, Carbonvert, LSU, and Greater New Orleans Inc.

Quantifiable outcome

• $14.5B+ valuation growth of member startups
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ottawa InfotainmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Technology company that opened office at Newlab Michigan Central to collaborate directly with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers on automotive software-defined vehicle architectures.
• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Lead organization of Southeast Michigan coalition including Macomb Community College, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, and Newlab advocating for Maritime Prosperity Zone designation.
• LIFTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Manufacturing innovation organization part of Southeast Michigan coalition supporting maritime manufacturing and workforce development initiatives.
• Macomb Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Educational partner in maritime coalition that secured $15.4 million from Navy to develop maritime welding and machining training programs as part of regional workforce development.
• JERAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Partnership with Newlab New Orleans to develop and commercialize next-generation CO2 capture technologies for power generation, focusing on reducing emissions from gas turbine facilities in Louisiana with pilot testing and commercial deployment planned.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Program partner for Founder Fellowship providing business and financial planning assistance, software discounts, and support for underrepresented founders scaling climate tech companies.
• Gunderson DettmercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Legal partner for Founder Fellowship program providing hands-on support with contracts, intellectual property, and corporate governance to help founders grow and scale their companies.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Launched Global Ocean Innovation Challenge to accelerate ocean conservation solutions through startup-led innovation, focusing on fisheries and marine protected areas in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
• YKAN (Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Indonesian conservation partner for Global Ocean Innovation Challenge, providing local government connections, on-ground implementation support, and conservation expertise in marine protected areas.
• ShellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Partnership through DOE-funded EPIC program in Louisiana focused on commercializing carbon management and clean hydrogen technologies. Shell provides industry expertise, potential deployment sites, and co-investment in startups commercializing decarbonization solutions.
• BattellecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Strategic partner in DOE-funded EPIC program providing technical expertise and research capabilities for carbon management and hydrogen technology commercialization in Louisiana.
• CarbonvertcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Partner in Louisiana decarbonization programs, bringing expertise in carbon management and project development for industrial decarbonization startups.
• Louisiana State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Academic partner providing research capabilities, technical expertise, and student talent pipeline for decarbonization technology development in Louisiana.
• Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Lead economic development partner coordinating the EPIC program in Louisiana, connecting startups with regional industry, government, and investment stakeholders.
• NIDLP (National Industrial Development and Localization Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2025Saudi partner for Mining Innovation Studio in Riyadh, working to accelerate critical mineral technology development and attract startups addressing mining value chain challenges under Vision 2030.
• MIM (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2025Saudi government partner for mining innovation programming, providing regulatory alignment and industry connections for startups commercializing mining technologies.
• Ma'adencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2025Saudi Arabian Mining Company, a national champion providing industry expertise and potential deployment opportunities for startups developing mining and mineral processing technologies.
• ØrstedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture Energy Storage Studio partnership focused on scaling novel, long-duration energy storage technologies beyond lithium-ion through real-world demonstrations and strategic partnerships with startups.
• NYCEDC (New York City Economic Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in multiple programs including Founder Fellowship (Venture Access NYC initiative), Resilient Energy Studio, and Open Calls for AI and energy storage pilots in NYC.
• Con EdisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in energy storage programs for NYC, bringing utility expertise, pilot deployment sites, and grid integration capabilities for novel energy storage technologies.
• Michigan CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-location partnership at Michigan Central Station in Detroit, where Newlab operates 270,000 sq ft of startup space. Partnership includes Ford, Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR), and integration with Michigan mobility ecosystem.
• Airspace LinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrone software company headquartered at Newlab Michigan Central, expanding footprint through new partnerships and rooftop drone launch pad. Partner in Advanced Aerial Mobility Studio.
• General Dynamics Land SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined Newlab's co-working space in Detroit to access emerging commercial technology for military applications, aligning with Pentagon's call for faster defense innovation.
• MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Advanced Aerial Mobility Studio advancing drone technology in Michigan, including Great Lakes drone delivery trials and BVLOS flight corridors.
• OFME (Office of Future Mobility and Electrification)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan state partner leading Advanced Aerial Mobility Initiative to establish foundational capabilities for scaling aerial mobility ecosystem in the state.
• UPMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPulp mill company partnering in Uruguay to identify startups developing waste-to-materials technologies for launching pilots to convert industrial waste into green construction materials.
• Montes del PlatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForestry company in Uruguay collaborating on Waste-to-X initiative to transform environmental challenges into sustainable products and economic opportunities.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Michigan Central Station redevelopment, with Ford's Connected Car and Advanced Electric Vehicle teams co-located at the innovation district alongside Newlab's startup hub.
• GoogleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with Newlab and Michigan Central to develop AI tools designed to help Michigan startups grow their businesses through a future beta program.
• Invest Puerto RicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Sargassum Value Chain initiative transforming environmental challenges in Puerto Rico into sustainable products and job creation opportunities.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Techstars: Techstars runs a global accelerator network with industry-specific programs (energy, mobility, sustainability) that closely mirror Newlab's model. Both operate physical startup hubs, partner with corporates for pilots, and take equity stakes in member startups, making Techstars the most comparable direct peer.
• MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a global non-equity/equity-light accelerator with hubs in multiple countries (US, UK, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland) focused on early-stage startups in deep tech, climate, and health. The multi-hub, industry-partner-driven commercialization model directly parallels Newlab's approach.
• Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): CIC provides physical innovation infrastructure, workspace, and lab facilities for startups and innovation teams across multiple global locations. Their shared lab and prototyping infrastructure model is comparable to Newlab's Brooklyn Navy Yard and The 23rd facilities.
• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus, located in Paris, hosting 1,000+ startups with dedicated corporate partner programs and accelerator tenants. The mega-hub model with embedded corporate partners mirrors Newlab's integrated infrastructure + partnerships + capital approach.
• Founders Factory: Founders Factory is a venture studio and accelerator combining corporate capital, operational support, and infrastructure for early-stage startups globally. Their corporate-partner-led model with capital + operations aligns closely with Newlab's commercialization platform.
• MaRS Discovery District: MaRS is a Toronto-based innovation hub focused on cleantech, health, and fintech startups, providing workspace, advisory, and connections to corporate partners. The urban reindustrialization and deep-tech commercialization focus is highly comparable to Newlab's mission.
• Innovation Works: Innovation Works is a Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and startup support organization with robotics and advanced manufacturing focus, co-located with Carnegie Mellon. Their hardware/deep-tech specialization and partnership-driven model parallel Newlab's industry focus.
• RocketSpace: RocketSpace operates corporate innovation campuses and accelerators that connect startups with enterprise partners. Their tech campus + corporate accelerator model aligns with Newlab's hub-and-pilot-deployment platform, though RocketSpace is more software-focused.
• Greentown Labs: Greentown Labs is the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, providing prototyping lab space, fabrication facilities, and corporate partnerships for hardware-focused clean energy startups. Their hardware/climatetech focus and lab-centric infrastructure model closely match Newlab's energy/climate programs.

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the largest global accelerator with much broader software/tech focus than Newlab's critical-technology emphasis. While not a direct competitor on physical infrastructure, YC sets the benchmark for equity-light accelerator economics and network scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/newlab
• Xx.com/newlab
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewLabNavyYard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newlabnyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments21 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Newlab