Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund

The Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund, established in 1996 with a $1 million gift from Eugene M. Lang, MS '40, is a venture capital fund dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial environment at Columbia Business School. It provides early-stage investments to qualifying student and alumni ventures, aiming to support innovative business models and entrepreneurs. The fund also allows the School to share in the success of funded ventures through negotiated equity or other participation.

The Lang Fund operates through two main cycles: one for graduating students and another for alumni. Graduating students can receive an immediate investment of $25,000, with the potential for an additional investment of up to $50,000 in the following alumni cycle. Alumni-founded startups typically receive investments ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. The fund is geographically and sector agnostic, focusing on ventures that demonstrate traction and have a founding team committed to working full-time on their business.

Over the years, the Lang Fund has supported numerous startups across various industries, contributing to the growth and success of Columbia Business School's entrepreneurial community. Notable recipients include Guilde AI, which optimizes database performance, and Pelican Invest, a digital platform empowering families to save for education. The fund continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators within the Columbia community.