Cornell Tech

Cornell Tech. It is a graduate campus of Cornell University focused on technology, business, and design, located on Roosevelt Island in New York City. Established following a competitive bid process initiated by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the campus represents a major partnership between the university and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Its mission is to drive economic growth and technological innovation by integrating academic rigor with real-world application and entrepreneurship.

History and founding

The concept originated from the Applied Sciences NYC initiative launched by the Bloomberg Administration in 2010, which sought to bolster the city's tech ecosystem. Cornell University and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology jointly won the competitive request for proposals in 2011, defeating a consortium including Stanford University. A pivotal gift of $350 million from Charles F. Feeney, founder of Atlantic Philanthropies, provided foundational funding. The campus opened its first temporary facility in Chelsea, Manhattan in 2012, with the first phase of the permanent Roosevelt Island campus inaugurated in 2017.

Campus and location

The campus occupies a 12-acre site on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, offering panoramic views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. The master plan and key buildings, including the innovative The Bloomberg Center and the residential The House, were designed by the firm Morphosis Architects, led by Thom Mayne. The campus is noted for its sustainability, with The Bloomberg Center being one of the largest net-zero energy academic buildings in the United States. It is accessible via the Roosevelt Island Tramway and the New York City Subway.

Academic programs and research

The campus offers graduate-level programs including a Master of Engineering, a Master of Science, and a Master of Laws in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. A cornerstone is the interdisciplinary Studio curriculum, where students from technology, business, and design collaborate to build and launch products. Research is organized around hubs like the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute and focuses on fields such as connective media, health tech, and urban tech. The campus also houses the Runway Startup Postdoc Program, which supports entrepreneurs transitioning from academia to the startup world.

Partnerships and impact

Its founding partnership with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is realized through the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, funded by a gift from the Jacobs family. The campus maintains deep ties with New York City government and industry, fostering collaboration with leading tech companies and venture capital firms. It serves as an anchor for the growing tech economy in Long Island City and Brooklyn. The annual Startup Awards and on-campus incubator, the Startup Studio, directly support the creation of new ventures, contributing to the regional economy.

Notable people and leadership

The founding dean and inaugural vice provost was Daniel Huttenlocher, who later became the inaugural dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. Leadership has included deans Greg Morrisett and faculty directors such as Shimon Schocken. Notable faculty include computer scientist Deborah Estrin and legal scholar James Grimmelmann. The campus has been supported by major donors including Michael Bloomberg, Charles F. Feeney, and Atlantic Philanthropies. Its advisory boards involve prominent figures from Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

Category:Graduate schools in New York (state) Category:Universities and colleges in New York City