NYU Tandon Opens Applications for Second Cohort of Game Design Future Lab
NYCEDC sponsored incubator expands to eight companies, building on a successful first year for NYC's digital games ecosystem
NEW YORK, NY—NYU Tandon School of Engineering opened applications today for the second cohort of the NYC Game Design Future Lab (GDFL), the Brooklyn-based incubator for New York City's digital games industry.
Built in partnership with and sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the incubator adds to the city's growing digital game design and development ecosystem, an industry that today counts roughly 380 studios, 7,900 jobs, and $2.6 billion in annual economic impact citywide.
The GDFL will expand its second cohort to eight companies, up from six in its inaugural class. The year-long program provides founders with personalized mentorship, industry workshops, investor introductions, access to emerging technologies, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and NYU faculty, all at no cost to participants.
“Our first cohort showed us the range of what's possible in New York's game industry, from a worker-owned studio building its own arcade cabinet to a powerful end-user creation tool for XR content ready for phones and smartglasses,” said Mitu Khandaker, Associate Director of the GDFL, who is also an Associate Professor at NYU Game Center. “For our second cohort, we're casting a wider net across that same ecosystem. We're inviting established game studios ready for their next stage of growth, and the platforms and creative technology companies building the tools and infrastructure the broader industry runs on. In a time when the industry faces so much change, we want to provide support and a sustainable home for games here in New York City.”
Since kicking off in October 2025, GDFL's first cohort—CYBRLICH Studios, Made in Brooklyn Games, Munity Games, Remixing Reality, and Sapient Technology—has had several notable highlights.
With support from Medal.tv, the cohort attended the 2026 GDC Festival of Gaming, giving founders direct access to investors, publishers, and the broader industry. In April 2026, former Nintendo of America President & COO Reggie Fils-Aimé spent one-on-one time with the cohort before a conversation with NYU Stern School of Business adjunct assistant professor Joost Van Dreunen, offering founders insight into navigating the business side of the industry.
The inaugural year also brought key advances for the companies themselves. CYBRLICH Studios’ debut title, CYBRLICH and the Death Cult of Labor, was called “the first great game at GDC” by gaming news outlet Polygon, for example. Munity Games, a worker-owned cooperative, advanced production on its arcade cabinet build for its debut title, Shootlanzer.
The GDFL welcomed new members to its Advisory Board this year, including Jamil Moledina, Venture Partner at Principal Venture Partners; Luke Dicken, former Head of AI at Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.; Greg Borrud, Head of Games at Absurd Ventures; and Bryna Dabby Smith, CEO of Brass Lion Entertainment.
“The success of GDFL’s inaugural cohort is a testament to New York City’s ability to catapult growth for diverse founders in emerging creative sectors—with many participating companies already generating impact through commercial sales, fundraising, and industry partnerships,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “This year's cohort will expand our industry reach, doubling down on NYCEDC and NYU Tandon's commitment to invest in the equitable growth of digital gaming right here in the five boroughs.”
“NYC's Digital Games Industry is expanding and will continue to offer good paying jobs to New Yorkers, thanks to programs like NYC's Game Design Future Lab, and our office's own efforts with the NYC Video Game Festival, 'Made in NY' Animation Training Program and more,” said Commissioner Rafael Espinal, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. “Congratulations to the past, current and future cohorts of the GDFL. Our hope is that once you take your games and creative technologies to the next level, you will help us continue to make NYC a global hub for the digital gaming industry by working, living and hiring locally.”
“The Game Design Future Lab has demonstrated in its first year that New York City is fertile ground for game companies at every stage of development,” said Linda Ng Boyle, Vice Dean for Research at NYU Tandon. “Growing the program to eight companies, and opening it to platforms and creative technology companies, not just studios, reflects NYU Tandon's commitment to building industries, not just businesses, in New York City.”
“For games to continue growing as a powerful art form that resonates with people from every background and perspective, we must remain dedicated to championing bold new voices and ideas,” said James Lewis, Director of the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program and a GDFL Advisor. “Programs like NYC GDFL create space for new ideas while helping shape a future that is richer, more inclusive, and more innovative. Just as New York City has left an indelible mark on virtually every artistic medium, NYC GDFL helps ensure that its spirit of creativity, ambition, and cultural influence continues to inspire and transform the games industry.”
The GDFL is part of NYU Tandon Future Labs, a startup incubator network that began in 2009 with initial funding from NYCEDC. The network also includes the Data Future Lab, Urban Future Lab, and Veterans Future Lab, all co-located at 370 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn. It has supported more than 428 startups that have collectively raised over $4.6 billion and created 9,510 jobs, with a 93 percent success rate five years after founding.
The first GDFL cohort's program will culminate in a Demo Day in early October 2026, where founders will present to investors, press, and industry partners. Event details are forthcoming.
Applications for the second GDFL cohort can be submitted online through August 7th. The GDFL cohort will kick off in November 2026.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is home to a vibrant community working across disciplines to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. Researchers and students advance and learn at the intersections of emerging areas including Quantum Sciences and Technologies, Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, Engineering Systems, Sustainability, Health and Culture. The school dates back to 1854, the founding year of both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, NYU Tandon is a vital part of New York University and its unparalleled global network. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.
