12 Moments that Defined 2025 at Newlab
2025 was a year of growth for Newlab and our 400+ member companies around the world.
From global expansions to new commercialization pilots, we’re continuing to unblock pathways for critical technologies that will define our future. These moments from 2025 show the real progress our ecosystem has made in transform legacy systems, thanks for being on the journey.
1. INTRODUCED NEWLAB RIYADH AND NEWLAB NEW ORLEANS
We’ve officially announced our two newest locations. In New Orleans, we’ll be supporting startups focused on next-generation energy systems. In Riyadh, we kicked off our mining studio with The Kingdom. Over the next year, we’ll break ground on Newlab buildings in each location.
2. SEVEN MEMBERS HONORED ON FORBES 30 UNDER 30
The founders of: CarbonBridge, Diode, Icarus Robotics, FlowCellutions, and Nox Metals were all honored by Forbes as the 30 under 30.
3. COMPLETED 5 DRONE PILOTS ACROSS THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
Through partnership with MEDC, Newlab startups Verity, Blueflite, Aerialoop, Skyports, and Lamarr AI completed successful drone pilots with Michigan-based companies to de-risk the technology for industry use cases including: healthcare delivery, shore to ship delivery, warehouse inventory management, manufacturing, and building envelope diagnostics. Our Advanced Air Mobility
work will continue in 2026, de-risking for State government agencies.
4. LAUNCHED CRITICAL MASS, A GLOBAL EVENT SERIES
We launched Critical Mass, a recurring open house, an invitation to see what’s new at Newlab hubs around the world. Each event spotlights member technologies and Newlab’s role in accelerating their real-world applications. In 2025, we had three successful volumes across Brooklyn and Detroit: All Trips Are Heavy, Stay Grounded, and Bangers.
5. HOSTED OUR INAUGURAL NEW MOBILITY FUTURES EVENT
As part of Reindustrialize’s closing day, New Mobility Futures showcased what it takes to build, test, and deploy critical technologies at scale, and celebrated the innovators making it happen. The first iteration of this event brought together a curated group of Newlab member startups working on technologies that are reshaping how we move people, goods, and resources in Detroit and beyond.
6. FOUR MEMBERS FEATURED IN TIME BEST INVENTIONS OF 2025
Windborne’s System Atlas, Voltpost’s Lamppost Electric Vehicle Charger, Sway’s TPSea Flex, and The Light Phone III were all named among the 100 best inventions of 2025.
7. Unlocked New Pilot Sites in Uruguay & Saudi Arabia
Newlab Montevideo introduced weather balloon startup Windborne to the LATAM market, leading to a signed MoU for a straight-to-pilot project with the Universidad Tecnológica del Uruguay. Also, Newlab Riyadh kicked off the Mining Innovation Studio, with open calls coming in 2026.
8. $1.05B CUMULATIVELY RAISED ACROSS THE NEWLAB STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
Across all locations, Newlab startups have raised over $1.05B from venture capital, grants, and corporate funding.
9. HOSTED OUR BIGGEST CROWD EVER AT NEW CLIMATE FUTURES
We held our third annual New Climate Futures event during New York Climate Week this past September. We welcomed over 1,400 guests throughout the day -- making it our largest NCF yet.
10. LAUNCHED OUR 125th COMMERCIALIZATION PROJECT
2025 marked the launch of our 125th commercialization project, surpassing our 100th project milestone in 2024. To date, have developed active partnerships with over 60 industry and government partners.
11. ACTIVATED FOUR NYC AI PILOTS WITH NYC DOT
In Brooklyn, four startups including Dareesoft, Digital Sense, Nexar, and EchoTwin AI deployed AI tools to improve urban streetscapes through hazard detection and real-time data collection.
12. PARTNERED WITH THE NATURE
CONSERVANCY TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS
Newlab and The Nature Conservancy are partnering to bring critical technologies to some of the ocean’s most urgent challenges. Starting in Indonesia, pilots will focus on protecting coral reefs, supporting sustainable fisheries, and strengthening marine protected areas. The open call launches in January, inviting founders to help scale impact where it’s needed most.
