Multicultural Innovation Lab

Building a community of early stage technology and technology-enabled startups led by women and multicultural entrepreneurs, hosted within Morgan Stanley.

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why the multicultural innovation lab

CURATED CURRICULUM

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

BEST IN CLASS MENTORSHIP

Morgan Stanley pairs each startup with relevant mentors who can be helpful to the business, providing advice and counsel for company growth and scale.

POWERFUL NETWORKS

Each startup is introduced to our bankers, financial advisors, technology experts and others with the power to expose each company to their vast industry networks.

2019

Innovation LAb

What It Takes to Be a Leader

Dec 4, 2019

The participants in this year’s Multicultural Innovation Lab have all founded successful startups. Now, with the help of lessons learned at Morgan Stanley, they’re proving themselves as CEOs.

Innovation LAb

Growing, Learning, Connecting

Nov 19, 2019

Founders from our 2019 cohort reflect on the value of their time in the lab.

Innovation LAb

What Do Entrepreneurs Need to Know?

Nov 1, 2018

Three CEOs from the Multicultural Innovation Lab talk about what they’ve learned and where they want to go.

Innovation LAb

Mentorship That's More Than a Buzzword

Oct 9, 2019

Morgan Stanley’s Innovation Lab, an accelerator for multicultural and women-led startups, pairs entrepreneurs with seasoned, in-house pros to break down barriers to success.

Innovation LAb

5 Branding Tips to Turbocharge Your Startup

Jul 26, 2019

Success can depend as much on branding and savvy storytelling that wins over a loyal customer audience as it does on technology, products or services.

Innovation LAb

Dynamic Acceleration & Innovation

May 13, 2019

2019 Cohort

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2018

Innovation LAb

Pitching Your Startup to Investors in Seven Minutes or Less

Dec 10, 2018

On Demo Day at the Multicultural Innovation Lab, women and multicultural entrepreneurs get the spotlight they deserve.

Innovation LAb

How Entrepreneurs Build Connections

Nov 30, 2018

Gaining the right introductions can make or break a fledgling business.

Innovation LAb

Build Your Own App, No Coding Required

Nov 15, 2018

Hatch Apps’ low-cost system aims to “democratize” the process of software development.

Innovation LAb

Innovating the Delivery of Energy

Nov 5, 2018

COI Energy Services is disrupting the energy market by redesigning the delivery and management of electricity.

Innovation LAb

Curating the Urban Music Scene

Nov 13, 2018

Shoobs is a ticketing site for discovering urban concerts and nightlife events.

Innovation LAb

An App That Makes It Easy to Say, "I'll Take It!"

Nov 15, 2018

How a chance meeting between strangers in the New York subway led to COSIGN, a social-retailing app that capitalizes on some of the hottest online trends.

2017

Innovation LAb

Seed Funding Tips for Multicultural and Women Founders

Sep 21, 2017

Seed investors don't just want to hear great data, they also need to be hooked by the personal story and the vision that’s driving your startup.

Innovation LAb

Pitch Day for Multicultural- and Women-Led Startups

Nov 30, 2017

Five startups finish their time inside Morgan Stanley's Multicultural Innovation Lab by pitching to a packed room of investors.

Innovation LAb

Start Me Up: Coding to a Different Tune

Sep 14, 2017

Rachel Mayer went from being a Venezuelan singer with a recording contract to starring in the male-dominated FinTech space with her startup, Trigger Finance.

Innovation LAb

5 Startups Set Up Shop Inside Morgan Stanley

Aug 2, 2017

Entrepreneur Brian Brackeen explains why his and four other multicultural and women-run startups need to move in to Morgan Stanley's offices for three months.

our program

Program Overview & Key Dates

An intensive 6-month accelerator designed to help build and scale startups, culminating in a showcase presenting each company to the investor community.

Successful applicants will be provided with:

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Cash contribution from Morgan Stanley in exchange for equity interest

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Workspace at Morgan Stanley's headquarters in Times Square

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Connections to Morgan Stanley and external partner networks

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Opportunity to pitch to the influential investor community

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Curated content across a variety of speakers and topics

Ideal candidates will have the following characteristics:

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Multicultural or woman founder, co-founder, Chief Technology Officer or other member of C-suite

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A startup that is technology or technology-enabled and within the Seed to Series B funding rounds

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Has successfully raised Friends and Family, Angel or Seed Rounds

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Launched product with demonstrated revenues that provide initial validation of business model and market opportunity

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A commitment to be based full-time at our headquarters for the duration of the program

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As part of the Morgan Stanley Plastic Waste Resolution, the 2020 cohort will also welcome startups that aid in the prevention, reduction and removal of plastic waste

KEY DATES

Applications Close: 1/3/2020

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FAQs

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What stage of companies are you looking for at the Multicultural Innovation Lab?

The Multicultural Innovation Lab targets early stage technology and technology-enabled startups with a woman or multicultural founder, co-founder, Chief Technology Officer or other member of C-suite. We consider early stage to be within Seed to Series B funding rounds.

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What do I get for being part of the Multicultural Innovation Lab?

As part of the Lab, Morgan Stanley provides a cash contribution, workspace at our New York headquarters, dedicated programming & support and the opportunity to pitch to the influential investor community.

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What is the form of the contribution?

Morgan Stanley will provide cash contribution of $200,000 and receive between 3-5% of equity interest.

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Do I have to work out of the Morgan Stanley office for the entire period?

Yes. We require you to be primarily based in the Morgan Stanley office for the duration of the program. Our location is fully equipped and we believe there is value in the entire cohort interacting with each other as well as the larger Morgan Stanley community.

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

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

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I’ve applied to the Multicultural Innovation Lab before, can I apply again?

We absolutely welcome repeat applications and keeping in touch with us between cohorts.

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When will I hear back about my application?

Applications close 1/3/2020. We aim to target contacting applicants with next steps within 1 month after applications close.

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Why is the Multicultural Innovation Lab including companies focused on plastic waste?

Through the Morgan Stanley Plastic Waste Resolution, the firm has committed to preventing, reducing and removing 50 million tons of plastic waste from the environment by 2030. Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical to solving this environmental, social and economic challenge.

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Does my company have to address the plastic waste challenge?

No. The call for submissions focused on plastic waste prevention, reduction and removal is in addition to the open call for technology and technology-enabled startups.

Additional Questions:

Please contact us at mcil@morganstanley.com if your questions were not answered here and we’ll get back to you shortly!