Published April 03, 2026

Leslie Founders Is a Hub for NYU’s Best Start-Ups

Staff Writer

Campus Resources Entrepreneurship

Two students walk up the stairs in the Leslie eLab.

Students at NYU dream big, transforming dorm-room ideas into industry-defining realities. But turning a concept into a scalable venture requires more than just ambition; it requires an ecosystem of specialized resources and mentorship. That’s where Leslie Founders comes in. This curated community within the Leslie Entrepreneurs Lab (eLab) gives NYU’s most promising student entrepreneurs the tools to build thriving start-ups.

“Leslie Founders is all about creating community and providing extra support for promising student founders on campus,” explains Rebecca Silver. As the director of the NYU Leslie Entrepreneurial Institute, she codesigned and coleads the program. “Often being a founder is lonely. You’re your own boss, and it’s easy to become isolated. By surrounding yourself with other founders and coaches who are there to challenge you, inspire you, introduce you to better ways of operating your business, and poke holes in your strategy to strengthen your business, you’ll become a stronger founder.”

What Sets Founders Apart

While many entrepreneurial initiatives offer a one-size-fits-all approach, Leslie Founders is built on flexibility. “We know that student founders have complex needs while balancing their start-up and school,” says Silver. “That’s why the program provides an à la carte menu of support, which founders can have the flexibility to join in on as they see fit.”

The program is highly selective, admitting only about 30 percent of applicants. First, the committee looks for a big vision and deep expertise. For instance, Silver might expect a Psychology major to lead a mental health venture. Next, applicants must conduct at least 15 customer interviews to prove they have unique market insights. Finally, they must complete part one of the Startup Accelerator Program, the Startup Bootcamp. The program also provides continuity of support for graduates of the Startup Sprint or Summer Launchpad. As Silver notes, when those accelerators end, Leslie Founders serves as the “glue” that keeps the students’ momentum going.

A group of students work on their laptops together.

The Founders Advantage

Leslie Founders unlocks a plethora of resources that bridge the gap between student projects and professional enterprises. For example, members gain 24/7 priority access to the Leslie eLab coworking spaces and exclusive perks like Microsoft for Startups credits. However, human connections are the true draw. Founders receive dedicated coaching from the Leslie eLab team as well as access to office hours with legal and immigration attorneys. “The coaching has been transformative,” affirm current members Jonathan Gulyak and Julius Chu. “The coaches bring real-world experience in start-ups, technology, venture capital, and design. As a result, they can help guide founders toward the right next steps.”

Beyond coaching, the program hosts Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions with industry giants. Recent guests include the founders of Venmo and Runway ML as well as partners from top-tier venture capital firms like Sequoia and AlleyCorp. For many, these interactions are life-changing. “Access to individuals of that level is rare, and Leslie Founders made those conversations possible,” Jonathan and Julius add.

Two students have a discussion in a Leslie eLab lounge.

Finding Their Melodi

For Jonathan, a Business and Political Economy major with a Computer Science minor at NYU Stern School of Business, and Julius, a double-major in Recorded Music and Computer Science, Leslie Founders provided the foundation for their start-up, melodi. The platform was born from Julius’s personal frustrations as an independent musician facing confusing and overwhelming challenges when releasing songs. “We decided to create a platform that could truly streamline the entire release process,” the duo explains. “Melodi is designed to democratize the music industry handbook and turn it into clear and actionable guidance.”

Leslie Founders helped them navigate the ups, downs, and zigzags of entrepreneurship. “Being a founder requires learning an endless amount of information, and Leslie Founders helped us understand what mattered most at each stage of our journey. Overall, the program taught us how to prioritize effectively, structure our workflow, and move forward with greater confidence. We are extremely grateful for the mentorship, office hours, and continued support that helped turn melodi from an early idea into a real product.”

You can learn more about melodi and see the platform in action at melodi.pro and on Instagram @melodi.lemma.

A group of students work in a conference area in the Leslie eLab.

A Virtuous Feedback Loop

The impact of Leslie Founders extends beyond any single start-up. It creates what Silver calls a “virtuous feedback loop,” where undergrads work alongside PhDs and prerevenue teams connect with founders generating over $1 million in annual recurring revenue. “The community supports each other regardless of prior experience,” Silver says.

For Jonathan and Julius, the hundreds of hours they’ve invested are about more than just business: They are about impact. “If melodi can help even one artist achieve something as meaningful as releasing their first EP or single, that alone would bring tears of joy to our eyes,” they share. Ultimately, the program’s success isn’t measured just by revenue or growth but by the people it affects. As Silver concludes, “Overall, we aim to help students grow as leaders, not just help their companies. We care about the success of our NYU students as humans, not just as founders.”