Today, Inc. released their annual list of the “Coolest College Startups” of the year, showcasing 16 promising student-run companies in a March Madness-style bracket. While the startups hail from universities across the country, we were excited to see two of the featured companies to come out of NYU, which has historically graduated notable alumni in the tech community. Here are the New York-based student businesses making a splash:
Ephemeral
’s team—which consists of five NYU School of Engineering students and one NYU Stern student — is developing a removable tattoo ink in order to make tattoos, well, ephemeral. Last year, the startup won NYU Stern’s “$200K Entrepreneurs Challenge,” taking home the contest’s grand prize of $75,000.
The company’s technology is designed to integrate into existing tattoo equipment and appeal to customers who may be interested in impermanent tattoos. Ephemeral estimates that its ink and removal products will cost about $100 to $200, which is significantly less than pricey laser-removal procedures (which can run up to $2,000). The startup is currently in the process of testing prototypes and expects to have a finalized product within 12 to 18 months.
Pundit
is a voice platform that connects like-minded people through one-minute voice conversations about your latest obsessions. The company’s three founders attended NYU and Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
The startup’s goal is to replace impersonal interactions on social media with a platform that encourages actual conversation. Pundit launched a private beta version of its app in early March for mentors, investors, and partners at the Techstars Disney Accelerator, which it is a part of. The startup has already received $300,000 in seed funding from entertainment industry leaders, including Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Have a news tip for us or know of a company that deserves coverage? Let us know or tweet us @builtinnewyork.
