C10 Labs
C10 Labs is a Cambridge-based AI venture studio and fund founded in 2023 that operates accelerator, co-founder, and direct investment tracks to build 40+ AI-first startups across biotech, healthtech, robotics, energy, and enterprise SaaS, with programs in Kendall Square and Manhattan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What C10 Labs does
C10 Labs is an AI-focused venture studio and fund founded in 2023 and headquartered in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. It operates four engagement tracks — a free 5-day Bootcamp, an 8-10 week Core Accelerator, a Build Track acting as a true co-founder, and pre-seed to Series A Direct Investments — to incubate and co-build AI-first companies across healthcare, biotechnology, energy, robotics, manufacturing, legal tech, and other deep tech sectors. The studio has produced a portfolio of 40+ companies across seven cohort cycles (C1 Winter '23 through C7 Fall '25), with AI modalities spanning generative AI, NLP, computer vision, autonomous agents, predictive analytics, optimization, and multimodal systems.
The business model is equity-based: the Core Accelerator takes 2.5-5% advisory shares, the Build Track takes 15-50% co-founder equity, and direct investments are priced rounds. Revenue is supplemented by programmatic grant funding, including a $1.9M Sector Spark Grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to support the AI BioHub biotech accelerator co-developed with LabCentral, and NYCEDC backing for the NYC AI Nexus program in Manhattan. Strategic partnerships anchor the ecosystem: MIT CSAIL, Northeastern EEAI, BioLabs, Massachusetts AI Hub, CIC Innovation Campus, Plug and Play, Springboard Enterprises, and ARPA-H provide talent, research access, and corporate distribution.
The studio is led by co-founders Shahid Azim (Managing Partner and CEO) and Patricia Geli (Managing Partner and COO), with operating leadership in Cambridge and a growing NYC team headed by Managing Director Javad Mushtaq and Program Director Anne Blum. The company's distribution advantage rests on Kendall Square adjacency to MIT and Harvard, government and quasi-governmental backing (NYCEDC, MassTech), and a Demo Day-driven deal flow engine. Portfolio validation to date includes the inaugural AI BioHub cohort of 13 teams that collectively raised over $8 million in external funding, plus the exit of MarketsEQ via acquisition by Humach.
C10 Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C10 Labs
- Legal name
- C10 Labs
- Website
- https://c10labs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- C10 Labs is a Cambridge-based AI venture studio and fund founded in 2023 that operates accelerator, co-founder, and direct investment tracks to build 40+ AI-first startups across biotech, healthtech, robotics, energy, and enterprise SaaS, with programs in Kendall Square and Manhattan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C10 Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Studio and AI Startup Accelerator
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Foundation Model Developers (LLM/Multimodal Model Labs) (HDAAACAA)
Keywords
Where C10 Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
C10 Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advisory Shares (Accelerator): Core Accelerator program takes 2.5-5% advisory shares in exchange for program participation, mentorship, workspace, $200K+ in partner perks, and Demo Day access. No direct capital investment required from founders.
- Co-founder Equity (Build Track): Build Track takes 15-50% equity as true co-founders, providing full-stack AI engineering, product development, venture design, commercialization support, and enterprise pilot access. Co-invests time, talent, and capital.
- Direct Investments: Pre-seed to Series A direct capital investments in applied AI companies. Varies by priced rounds with active hands-on support including GTM expertise, corporate introductions, and follow-on investment support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | The Bootcamp - Free, no equity |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | The Core Accelerator - 2.5-5% advisory shares |
| Other | Multi-year contract | The Build Track - 15-50% equity co-founder model |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Investments - Priced rounds, pre-seed to Series A |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
C10 Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C10 Labs is an AI venture fund and studio that creates and accelerates AI-first startups through structured programs including a free Bootcamp pre-accelerator, an 8-10 week Core Accelerator (taking 2.5-5% advisory shares), a Build Track co-founder partnership (taking 15-50% equity), and Direct Investments from pre-seed to Series A. The studio provides portfolio startups with workspace, mentorship, in-house AI specialists, engineering and GTM support, $200K+ in partner perks, and access to investor and corporate networks, operating specialized programs such as the AI BioHub (with LabCentral/MassTech) and NYC AI Nexus (with NYCEDC).
Product overview
C10 Labs is an AI Venture Fund and Studio that operates through four distinct engagement tracks: The Bootcamp (free 5-day pre-accelerator), The Core Accelerator (8-10 week program taking 2.5-5% advisory shares with $200K+ perks), The Build Track (co-founder partnership taking 15-50% equity), and Direct Investments (pre-seed to Series A capital). The company manages a portfolio of 40+ AI-first ventures across biotechnology, healthtech, enterprise SaaS, robotics, manufacturing, energy, fintech, and other sectors. Specialized programs include the AI BioHub (biotech accelerator with LabCentral/MassTech funding) and NYC AI Nexus (NYC-based accelerator in partnership with NYCEDC). The AI Fellows program provides PhD researchers and technical builders with workspace, mentorship, and ecosystem access. C10 Labs creates economies of scale by fostering ideation, incubation, and investment in AI ventures from Cambridge and New York City.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Bootcamp A free 5-day intensive pre-accelerator for early-stage AI founders, featuring interactive workshops, sprints, a hackathon with mentors and AI Fellows, and a pitch competition for spots in the Core Accelerator.
- The Core Accelerator An 8-10 week world-class accelerator with hands-on mentorship, in-house AI specialists, engineering and GTM support, office space in Manhattan or Kendall Square, $200K+ in partner perks, and Demo Day pitching access. C10 Labs takes 2.5-5% advisory shares in exchange.
- The Build Track A rolling-basis co-founder partnership where C10 Labs acts as a true co-founder, providing full-stack AI engineering, product development, venture design, commercialization support, and access to enterprise pilots. C10 Labs takes 15-50% equity as co-founder.
- Direct Investments Capital-first approach for Applied AI companies from pre-seed to Series A, deploying smart money with active hands-on support including go-to-market expertise, corporate introductions, and follow-on investment support.
- AI BioHub Program A Massachusetts-backed AI-powered biotech startup accelerator co-developed with LabCentral, providing commercialization pathways for biotech and life sciences ventures with 10-week AI-specific curriculum, lab access, and mentorship.
- NYC AI Nexus NYCEDC-backed AI accelerator in Manhattan focused on creating transformational applied AI ventures in NYC. Includes Bootcamp pre-accelerator, Core Accelerator, and Build Track with Manhattan office space and $200K+ partner perks.
- AI Fellows Program Fellowship program for PhD researchers, postdocs, and technical builders working on AI/ML. Provides dedicated workspace, venture mentorship, cloud credits, legal support, and access to investor and corporate partner network. Available in Cambridge and NYC.
Quantifiable outcome
- Portfolio companies have collectively raised significant funding through Demo Day and investor network access
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use C10 Labs
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
C10 Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability16 records
Feature4 records
C10 Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Plug and PlaycorePlug and Play expanded to New York City establishing the NYC AI Nexus in collaboration with C10 Labs. Initiative supports AI startups and international companies through NYC AI Nexus and International Landing Pad Network. Fosters innovation, job creation, and economic growth by connecting startups, corporations, and academic institutions.
- LabCentralcorePartnership with LabCentral for AI BioHub accelerator program to support AI-powered biotech startups. The inaugural cohort graduated 13 teams that collectively raised over $8 million. Second cohort launching Spring 2026 with 10-week AI-specific curriculum, lab access, and mentorship. Funded by MassTech Sector Spark Grant.
- NYC EDC (NYC Economic Development Corporation)coreNYCEDC partnership backing the NYC AI Nexus program - C10 Labs' NYC-based AI accelerator. Includes $1.9 million Sector Spark Grant for AI BioHub program. C10 Labs operates as the designated operator of NYC AI Nexus focused on creating transformational applied AI ventures in NYC.
- MIT CSAILcoreAcademic partnership providing C10 Labs founders with direct access to world-class researchers, IP licensing pathways, and translational research opportunities. MIT CSAIL is a key research institution partner in the C10 Labs ecosystem.
- Northeastern EEAIminorAcademic research partnership with Northeastern University's Enterprise AI initiative. Provides access to AI research expertise and talent pipeline for C10 Labs portfolio companies.
- Massachusetts AI HubcoreInnovation partner providing ecosystem support for AI ventures. Massachusetts AI Hub works with C10 Labs to advance AI innovation and startup development in the state.
- BioLabscoreInnovation partner supporting biotech startup ecosystem. Works with C10 Labs on the BioHub program providing lab space and resources for AI-powered biotech companies.
- CIC Innovation CampusminorInnovation Campus partnership providing workspace and ecosystem access for C10 Labs founders. CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) offers flexible office and lab space options.
- Springboard EnterprisesminorVC and investor network partner connecting C10 Labs portfolio companies with investor networks and resources for scaling ventures.
- ARPA-HminorAdvanced Research Projects Agency for Health partnership providing access to healthcare innovation ecosystem and potential funding opportunities for health-focused portfolio companies.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
C10 Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Science Inc. Venture studio that builds, funds, and operates technology businesses, sharing C10 Labs' full-stack venture creation model with equity in exchange for co-building services.
- Antler: Global venture studio and early-stage investor that co-founds and backs startups from day zero, with residency programs analogous to C10 Labs' Build Track and Accelerator tracks.
- Betaworks: NYC-based venture studio that builds and invests in early-stage technology companies with a focus on emerging platforms, sharing C10 Labs' applied-AI studio model and Manhattan footprint.
- Pioneer Square Labs: Venture studio based in Seattle that co-creates companies alongside founders, using a Build Track approach similar to C10 Labs' co-founder equity model for AI-first startups.
- Entrepreneur First: Global talent-first venture studio that recruits technical individuals and helps them co-found startups, comparable to C10 Labs' AI Fellows and Build Track methodology.
- Founders Factory: Venture studio and accelerator that builds and scales startups with corporate partners, sharing C10 Labs' studio-plus-corporate-partnership model (e.g., NYCEDC, LabCentral).
- Idealab: Pioneering venture studio that creates and operates technology companies from inception, serving as a long-standing comparable for C10 Labs' full-stack venture creation approach.
Broad incumbents
- Y Combinator: Largest global accelerator taking small equity stakes (typically ~7%) across thousands of startups including many AI companies, representing the dominant alternative to C10 Labs' accelerator track.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with industry-specific programs including AI-focused cohorts, providing comparable accelerator infrastructure to C10 Labs' Core Accelerator track.
- Plug and Play: Global innovation platform and accelerator that recently partnered with C10 Labs on the NYC AI Nexus, offering comparable corporate-partner-driven accelerator programs at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
C10 Labs social profiles
Digital presenceC10 Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C10 Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
C10 Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C10 Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C10 Labs
What does C10 Labs do?
C10 Labs is an AI venture fund and studio that creates and accelerates AI-first startups through structured programs including a free Bootcamp pre-accelerator, an 8-10 week Core Accelerator (taking 2.5-5% advisory shares), a Build Track co-founder partnership (taking 15-50% equity), and Direct Investments from pre-seed to Series A. The studio provides portfolio startups with workspace, mentorship, in-house AI specialists, engineering and GTM support, $200K+ in partner perks, and access to investor and corporate networks, operating specialized programs such as the AI BioHub (with LabCentral/MassTech) and NYC AI Nexus (with NYCEDC).
Is C10 Labs a public or private company?
C10 Labs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was C10 Labs founded?
C10 Labs was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is C10 Labs based?
C10 Labs is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does C10 Labs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advisory Shares (Accelerator) is the primary driver. The others are co-founder Equity (Build Track) and direct Investments.
Who are C10 Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Science Inc., Antler, Betaworks, Pioneer Square Labs, Entrepreneur First, Founders Factory and Idealab. Broad incumbents are Y Combinator, Techstars and Plug and Play.
Does C10 Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for C10 Labs.
What industry is C10 Labs in?
C10 Labs's product category is Venture Studio and AI Startup Accelerator. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders, with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.