Company Ventures, Tech:NYC, Blackstone LaunchPad, NYCEDC Announce the NYC Startup Internship Program to Place NYC Students at Local Startups

Partnership Will Provide Paid Internships, Professional Development and Networking Opportunities to CUNY Students, Helping Expand Hiring Paths into the Tech Sector

NEW YORK, NY—Company Ventures, Tech:NYC, Blackstone LaunchPad, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) have announced the launch of the NYC Startup Internship Program, which helped place over 90 NYC-based college students from various CUNY campuses across 68 New York City-based startups. This 10-week initiative was created with financial support from NYCEDC and Blackstone LaunchPad, as well as partnership from the Zahn Innovation Center at City College, Justworks, OpenAI and Basta. In addition to having paid summer internships at exciting NYC-based startups, participants will have access to professional development training and industry networking sessions. The goal of the program is to cultivate the next generation of tech talent while supporting the growth of New York City's startup ecosystem.

The 2025 summer internship program places a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate technology—two high-growth sectors within the city's economy. This strategic alignment builds on New York City's AI Advantage report and Green Economy Action Plan, while underscoring New York City's position as a global hub for emerging innovation industries and advancing the next phase of equitable, large-scale economic growth. Participating startups have the option to extend internships or offer students contract, part-time, or full-time roles after the program concludes.Interns are encouraged to explore a variety of roles within tech organizations and pursue multiple career pathways. Through hands-on experience, they apply AI to real-world challenges such as sustainable design and community empowerment. Training sessions help students build essential workplace skills and expand their peer and professional networks—preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the future of the city’s green and tech-driven economy.

Program Structure Highlights:

• Pre-Internship Prep Week: One foundational week covering professional skills development from Basta, a deep dive into climate tech and sustainability led by the Zahn Innovation Center, an AI workshop led by Decoded Futures, and technical upskilling sessions.
• Internship: Nine weeks of paid, practical experience within startups, complemented by regular check-ins, ongoing mentorship, and the practical application of AI tools.
• Professional Development Workshops: Throughout the program, interns participate in workshops designed to build confidence and sharpen skills for future opportunities. Topics include AI upskilling, Storytelling and the Art of Interviewing, and Venture Capital 101.
• Mentorship from the NYC Tech Community: Each intern is paired with an experienced professional from NYC’s tech ecosystem for guidance, support, and perspective throughout the summer.
• Closing Ceremony (August 13, 2025): A celebratory project showcase where interns present their work and achievements.

“Since our founding as a firm, we have dedicated ourselves to finding the most exceptional talent in everything we do.” said Matt Harrigan, CEO and Managing Partner of Company Ventures. “With partners like Blackstone LaunchPad, NYCEDC, Tech:NYC, and the Zahn Innovation Center, the NYC Startup Internship Program continues to stand out for the way it brings together early-stage startups and CUNY students who are ready to solve real problems, wear many hats, and grow alongside the companies they support.”

“At Tech:NYC, we're committed to building a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce, and the NYC Startup Internship is a critical step in that direction,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “We want to thank our partners for their support in providing CUNY students with invaluable paid experience, mentorship, and a direct pathway into our thriving tech sector, especially in high-growth areas like AI and climate tech.”

“The Blackstone Charitable Foundation’s LaunchPad program is proud to partner with Company Ventures and Tech:NYC to create meaningful opportunities for CUNY students to gain hands-on experience in the growing technology sector,” said Maura Pally, Executive Director of The Blackstone Charitable Foundation. “We’re investing in the next generation of talented individuals while advancing our commitment to career mobility and economic opportunity for New Yorkers.” 

“Building on the City’s commitment to creating dynamic talent pipelines, NYCEDC is proud to launch this exciting initiative designed to strengthen the technical skills and real-world experience of our young talent by connecting them with world-class startups across the five boroughs,” said NYCEDC Chief Strategy Officer Cecilia Kushner. “NYCEDC is thrilled to continue supporting Company Ventures in this important endeavor, and work with Tech:NYC and our other partners to ensure that CUNY students can access valuable industry resources and connections - helping them to grow professionally while fueling the technology sector's continued equitable growth.”

“The Zahn Innovation Center was pleased to partner and host programming to support the NYC Startup Internship program with Company Ventures and Tech:NYC,” said Chris Bobko, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Zahn Innovation Center. “ Helping to prepare talented and motivated CUNY students for internships in NYC startups is completely aligned with our ongoing work to provide opportunities for students to find their passion for entrepreneurship and to engage with the NYC Innovation Ecosystem. In particular, I have a lifelong focus on Green Economy and Sustainability, so I was thrilled to lead a day of workshops with discussions and activities for students who are already working in those areas, as well as students who had never really considered them before.”

About Tech:NYC
Tech:NYC is an engaged network of technology leaders working to foster a dynamic, diverse, and creative New York. The organization works with policymakers and business leaders to support a successful technology ecosystem, attract and retain talent, and celebrate New York and the companies that call it home. Tech:NYC represents more than 550 New York tech companies and investors.

About Company Ventures
Company Ventures is a NYC-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in new technology-driven businesses at the earliest stages. We predominantly invest in healthcare, fintech, and B2B software businesses at pre-seed, seed and series A stages.

About Blackstone Charitable Foundation
With a commitment to fostering career and economic mobility, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation leverages its financial and human capital to support initiatives that bridge opportunity gaps and strengthen communities. Blackstone LaunchPad advances career mobility through skill-building and internships. Open to all first generation and low-income college students, the program partners with higher education institutions and mission-aligned nonprofits to train students in key career skills, then gives them access to paid internships at Blackstone, Blackstone portfolio companies and startups.

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.