Morgan Stanley

Inclusive Ventures Lab

Our in-house startup accelerator, formerly known as the Multicultural Innovation Lab, promotes financial inclusion and provides access to capital and connections for early-stage technology and technology-enabled companies led by underrepresented founders.

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Our mission is to create a more inclusive investment landscape for underrepresented founders. We provide a unique opportunity for disruptive startups to access capital, accelerate their business and increase their visibility.
Selma Bueno Global Head of Inclusive Ventures Group

Our Mission

In our 2018 survey, investors reported capitalizing underrepresented businesses at 80% less than businesses overall, and our research shows this translates into roughly $4.4 trillion in missed opportunity. The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab (MSIVL), part of our Inclusive Ventures Group, is here to change that. Launched in 2017, and expanded to include founders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2021, the MSIVL promotes financial inclusion and provides founders of tech and tech-enabled startups with much-needed access to investors—along with the tools, resources and connections they need to grow and thrive. Our mission is nothing less than to transform the investing landscape around the world.

Key Stats

  • 69 Number of companies that have participated in the Lab to date
  • $207M Total amount in additional funding to date that companies have received after participating in the Lab
  • $782M Combined valuation to date of companies that have participated in the Lab

While we aren’t currently accepting applications, the application period for the next cohort will be open in late winter. Please sign up to be notified when applications open.

Apply Now

About the Program

Curated Curriculum

The Lab customizes a curriculum for each startup, including finance & sales strategy, marketing & branding, and private sessions with industry experts.

Mentorship That Makes a Difference

Morgan Stanley pairs each startup with hand-picked mentors who provide advice and counsel to help each company grow and scale its business.

Powerful Networks

We introduce startups to our bankers, financial advisors, technology experts and others who can connect each company to their industry networks. We also give them access to potential clients and the investor ecosystem at large.

Showcase and Demo Day

Our five-month program culminates with a Demo Day during which all participants can present to a network of investors, potential business partners and customers, who could help take their companies to the next level.

See FAQs for More Details

 

HEAR ABOUT THE LAB

 

Americas Fall 2023 Cohort

Ad Auris

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ByFusion

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DotLab

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Encounter AI

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FLUIX

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Health in Her HUE

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MEDIjobs

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Nopalera

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Oppos

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Partsimony

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serviceMob

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Stak Mobility

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Tall Poppy

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Twipes

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EMEA Fall 2023 Cohort

Automated Architecture

View Automated Architecture Website

Bidrento

View Bidrento Website

Cult Mia

View Cult Mia Website

eBanqo

View eBanqo Website

GigBridge

View GigBridge Website

Inicio AI

View Inicio AI Website

OKO

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Ridelink

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Unfabled

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TESTIMONIALS

“Having Morgan Stanley in our cap table, having all these investors, really gives us a lot of credibility and operational value. It makes all the difference.” — Nicolas Guillen, Co-Founder and CFO, BaseCap Analytics

“It’s all about strategic resources. Working with the Lab potentially saved us years’ worth of time and helped us close one of the biggest gaps that diverse entrepreneurs face, which is access to capital. For our company, it’s been life-changing.” — Chris Gay, Founder and CEO, Care Advisors

“The Lab was a phenomenal experience that helped to hone our business model, sales strategy and investor pitch.” — B.J. Wiley Williams, Founder and CEO, SoHookd

“If you had asked me before I joined the Lab whether I had the confidence to sell to a Fortune 500 company, I would have said, ‘Let’s start with the midmarket businesses first.’ But now that I know the Lab has my back, I feel like we shouldn’t limit ourselves.” — Jotham Ty, Founder and CEO, Gappify

Team Leadership

Selma Bueno, Global Head of Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group

As Global Head of the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group, Selma Bueno oversees the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab, the Center for Inclusive Access & Opportunity and other key initiatives focused on creating a more inclusive investment landscape for underrepresented founders. Selma most recently served as Morgan Stanley’s Global Chief Administrative Officer of Investment Banking and has over 20 years of investment banking experience, advising companies across North America and Latin America. Selma holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, a law degree from the University of São Paulo and an undergraduate degree in business from Fundação Getulio Vargas. 

Read Selma's story

Sanghamitra Karra, EMEA Head of Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group

Sanghamitra Karra is currently the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Head of the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group leading the efforts on expanding the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab in the region. Sanghamitra has been at Morgan Stanley for over 15 years and prior to this has held a variety of roles in Risk Management across Mumbai and London, including most recently as Global Head of Market Risk Stress Testing. She is focussed on developing solutions to combat long-term systemic risks, such as climate change and social inequity. She holds Masters degrees in Statistics from Indian Statistical Institute and MSc in Climate Change & Development from SOAS University of London. 

LaToya Wilson, Americas Head of Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group

LaToya Wilson is the Americas Head of the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group and Co-Head of the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab. LaToya has over 20 years of experience in the private markets and in impact investing in both the public and private sectors. In her current role, she is committed to developing and executing commercial opportunities and strategies to achieve and maintain market and thought leadership with underrepresented entrepreneurs. LaToya holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

The Lab Experience

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

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Background and Basics

 

What is the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab?

The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab is an intensive five-month accelerator designed to help further develop and scale startups, culminating in a Demo Day and showcase presentation to the investor community.

When and why was the Lab started?

Morgan Stanley launched the Inclusive Ventures Lab, formerly known as the Multicultural Innovation Lab, in 2017 in order to address inequities in funding of underrepresented founders, which our research shows totals more than a trillion dollars.

Who leads the Lab team?

Our global team is led by Managing Director and Global Head of the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Group Selma Bueno. Bueno has over 20 years of investment banking and capital markets experience. Our EMEA team is led by Sanghamitra Karra. Karra has over 15 years of risk management experience, including in stress testing and investment management. 

Where is the Lab based?

The U.S. Lab is based in our office at 522 Fifth Avenue in New York City, and the EMEA Lab is based at 20 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London.

Contact Us

For additional questions about our New York-based program, please use this contact to email us and we’ll get back to you shortly. For questions about our London-based (EMEA) program, please email us here.

Application Details

 

Who is eligible?

The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:

  • Is an underrepresented founder, co-founder, CTO or other C-suite member.
  • Has founded a technology or technology-enabled startup that falls within the Seed to Series A funding round stage.
  • Has launched product with demonstrated revenues that validate the initial business model and market opportunity.

Do I have to live in or relocate to NYC or London to participate? 

We believe that the value of our program lies in part with the relationships built among the cohort and with the broader Morgan Stanley community. In the past, this required all participants to be on site in our offices for the duration of the program. However, since 2022, Lab activities and events have been operating on a hybrid remote and in-person model. 

When are applications open?

While we aren't currently accepting applications, the application period for the next cohort will open in late winter. Please sign up below to be notified when applications open. 

Do I have to lead a FinTech company in order to apply?

No. We look for technology or technology-enabled startups across a variety of sectors.

When will I hear back about my application?

We aim to target contacting applicants with next steps within one month after their application is submitted.

I’ve applied to the Lab before. Can I apply again?

We absolutely welcome repeat applications and encourage previous applicants to keep in touch.

I am interested in applying to the London-based program. What else do I need to know?

The EMEA MSIVL program launched with a first cohort of five companies led by underrepresented founders in late summer 2022. Read more about it here.  

Contact Us

For additional questions about our New York-based program, please use this contact to email us and we’ll get back to you shortly. For questions about our London-based (EMEA) program, please email us here.

What You Can Expect

Does Morgan Stanley invest financially in companies that participate in the Lab?

Morgan Stanley will provide participating companies with a cash contribution, a five-month curated program, mentorship, networking, office space for the duration of the program, and access to certain external advisors in exchange for an equity stake of 5.00%. The cash contribution is $250,000 to each company participating in our New York-based program and £250,000 to each company participating in our London-based program. 

What does the curriculum cover?

The curriculum is tailored to suit each individual cohort, but it generally includes such topics as branding your startup, developing your investor pitch, refining your value prop and devising effective finance and sales strategies. In addition, we offer participants the opportunity to meet with industry experts for one-on-one consultations.

What kind of mentorship will I receive from Morgan Stanley?

We pair each company with a Morgan Stanley mentor chosen specifically for their relevant expertise. Your mentor communicates with you regularly and can provide advice and counsel on company growth and scaling your business.

Will I be introduced to investors during my time at the Lab?

Morgan Stanley leverages its broad network of clients and investors on behalf of its Lab cohorts, making introductions and connections that aim to grow and scale each company’s business.

What is Demo Day?

Demo Day culminates the five-month Lab program, with each founder pitching to an audience of potential investors and clients.

Does the Lab team support its portfolio companies after the program is over?

Yes, we stay in contact with former participants and follow their successes, continuing to offer advice and support as needed.

Contact Us

For additional questions about our New York-based program, please use this contact to email us and we’ll get back to you shortly. For questions about our London-based (EMEA) program, please email us here.

While we aren’t currently accepting applications, the application period for the next cohort will open in late winter. Please sign up to be notified when applications open.

Apply Now