C10 Labs

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.

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

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

• Venture studio
• AI startup accelerator
• Venture capital
• Startup incubation
• AI venture building

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability16 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Plug and PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025Plug 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.
• LabCentralcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYCEDC 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 CSAILcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic 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 EEAIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic 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 HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner providing ecosystem support for AI ventures. Massachusetts AI Hub works with C10 Labs to advance AI innovation and startup development in the state.
• BioLabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation 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 CampusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation Campus partnership providing workspace and ecosystem access for C10 Labs founders. CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) offers flexible office and lab space options.
• Springboard EnterprisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVC and investor network partner connecting C10 Labs portfolio companies with investor networks and resources for scaling ventures.
• ARPA-HminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvanced 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c10labs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about C10 Labs