Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab

The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab is an intensive five-month accelerator program designed to support underrepresented founders of technology and technology-enabled startups. Launched in 2017, the program offers a $250,000 investment, a customized curriculum, mentorship, and access to Morgan Stanley's extensive network to help companies refine their strategies and expand their businesses. The Lab has hosted 92 companies with a combined valuation of $923 million, and participants have raised over $217 million in additional funding following their involvement. The program has expanded globally, with cohorts in North America and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), reflecting its commitment to fostering a more equitable investment landscape for overlooked entrepreneurs worldwide. The 2023 global cohort included 23 disruptive tech startups from North America and EMEA, representing a range of industries including healthcare, sustainable solutions, customer service, supply chain, recruiting, and cybersecurity. Companies in the cohort received a $250,000 investment, as well as a variety of mentorship opportunities and business-growth resources from Morgan Stanley’s ecosystem of internal and external partners. The program culminates in a global Demo Day, where participating companies present to potential investors, business partners, and customers, showcasing their innovations and growth potential. This initiative underscores Morgan Stanley's dedication to creating a more inclusive and sustainable investment environment, addressing documented market imbalances, and providing underrepresented founders with the tools and resources needed to succeed in the competitive startup ecosystem.

The Inclusive Ventures Lab's impact is evident in the success stories of its alumni. For instance, Gappify, a New York-based startup, credits the Lab with changing the trajectory of its business. The founder, Jotham Ty, highlighted that the financial model developed during the Lab's program resonated with venture capitalists in subsequent funding rounds. This example illustrates the Lab's effectiveness in equipping startups with the necessary resources and exposure to attract significant investment and scale their operations. The program's success is also reflected in the diversity of its cohorts, with companies from various countries and industries participating, indicating a broad appeal and the universal need for such support in the entrepreneurial community. The Lab's expansion to include founders from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in 2021 further demonstrates its commitment to addressing global disparities in startup funding and fostering a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

In summary, the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab serves as a pivotal platform for underrepresented founders, offering them the capital, mentorship, and resources essential for scaling their startups. By focusing on inclusivity and sustainability, the Lab not only supports individual entrepreneurs but also contributes to a more diverse and equitable global business landscape. Its comprehensive approach, combining financial investment with strategic guidance and networking opportunities, positions it as a leading accelerator program dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovative leaders across various sectors and regions.