We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2025 Alumni Days in New York City, taking place from November 6 to 8. This three-day event promises a dynamic blend of innovation, networking, and cultural experiences. From engaging panel discussions and startup showcases to immersive art installations and vibrant social gatherings, the program is designed to inspire and reconnect our alumni community. Join us as we explore the intersections of technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity in the heart of NYC.
Get your ticket for the main event now! Spots are limited.
Summary
| Time of Day | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM | Discovery of HAX Incubator | Startup Challenge Finale | Immersive Experience @ Mercer Labs (additional cost) |
| Lunch | Visit of Makerspace @ NJ Institute of Technology | On site | Brunch buffet @ Treadwell Park Downtown (additional cost) |
| PM | Wandercraft: presentation & demo | Conference | 9/11 Museum and Memorial (additional cost) |
| Evening | Happy Hour Centrale Alumni x La French Tech @ OCabanon (open to non-ticket holders) |
Happy Hour @ Yard House |
– |
Thursday ▾
AM
Discovery of HAX Incubator
Lunch
Visit of Makerspace @ NJ Institute of Technology
PM
Wandercraft: presentation & demo
Saturday ▾
Evening
—
Thursday November 6, 2025
While the jury is grilling the 3 teams of students on their business idea, Alumni and other participants or speakers are invited to discover some exciting facilities in the New York City area at the juncture of engineering, research and entrepreneurship.
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 12:00 PM | HAX’s Newark, NJ facility — just across the river from NYC — for an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit. | The program will kick off with a presentation on HAX’s unique model for accelerating deeptech and industrial startups, followed by live demos from several portfolio companies shaping the future of: – Robotics – Advanced manufacturing – Climate tech – Health and biotech innovations |
2 Cedar St, Newark, NJ 07102 |
| 12:00 PM | 3:15 PM | Lunch & Learn | Come and discover the New Jersye Institute of Technology and the largest facility of its kind on the east coast with 31,000 sqf dedicated to prototyping innovations that will make a difference. This visit will give alumni a chance to know about advances in AI applied to materials and explore advanced manufacturing tools and collaborative spaces with a few project presentations planned. | GITC Building, 186 Bleeker St, Newark, NJ 07103 |
| 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Wandercraft @ Cure | Wandercraft is a trailblazer in the world of robotics and rehabilitation, developing exoskeletons that restore natural walking for people with mobility impairments. Their presence at Cure—a hub for life sciences and healthtech innovation—makes this visit especially meaningful. | Cure. Incubator – 345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010 |
Morning · HAX Incubator ▾
Lunch · NJIT Makerspace ▾
Afternoon · Wandercraft Demo ▾
Evening · Alumni × La French Tech Social ▾
Friday November 7, 2025
The event centers on innovation and particularly on how to create the conditions to spark it, nurture it and scale it. Hear from people who have a strong opinion on how this should be done from the market structure angle all the way down to people who actually make it happen!
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Description | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | 9:00 AM | Doors Open | ||
| 8:45 AM | 9:45 AM | Welcome & School Updates | The year in review at the schools and key changes | Deans & Alumni Association Representatives |
| 9:55 AM | 10:40 AM | Fireside Chat | Why is Europe Missing From the Magnificent 7? |
Olivier Coste – President of the Foundation for Economic Study of Disruptive Innovation
Stan Berteloot – Chief Innovation Officer Nytro Marketing & Journalist and Podcast Host (Back in America) |
| 10:45 AM | 12:15 PM | Startup Challenge Finale | Become an investor for the day and deploy your virtual capital to rank the 3 finalists! | 3 Startup Finalists to be announced |
| 12:15 PM | 1:30 PM | Networking lunch | Enjoy catered lunch from OCabanon on premises and network with your fellow alumni and our speakers. | |
| 1:45 PM | 2:30 PM | Panel discussion | From Discovery to Startup: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Business |
John Coelho – Senior Advisor Life Sciences | New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Walida Ali – Innovator Outreach & Development Manager | Princeton University (I-Corps North-East Hub) Seema Kumar – CEO | Cure. Incubator Moderator: Arpan Narayan – Harvard Business Review Advisor & Faculty (Columbia University) |
| 2:30 PM | 2:45 PM | Break | Break | Break |
| 2:45 PM | 3:30 PM | Panel discussion | Scaling Nuclear: Startups and Corporates in Deployment Race |
Mark Schmitz – Chief Financial Officer | DeepFission
Jacques Besnainou – Chief Commercial Officer | Westinghouse Electrical Company Moderator: Mathieu Diebold, former nuclear engineer and Partner | Damona |
| 3:30 PM | 3:45 PM PM | Break | Break | Break |
| 3:45 PM | 4:30 PM | Fireside Chat | What is the secret sauce to building ecosystems and network effects? |
Christine Galib – Director Advancing Photonics Technology (APT) | Princeton University
Sophie-Charlotte Moatti – Founding Partner | Mighty Capital |
| 4:30 PM | 4:45 PM | Closing remarks | Marc Onetto | |
| 4:45 PM | 5:00 PM | Doors Closing |
Morning · 8:45 AM – 12:15 PM ▾
8:45–9:00
Doors Open
8:45–9:45
Welcome & School Updates
9:55–10:40
Fireside Chat
10:45–12:15
Startup Challenge Finale
Lunch · 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM ▾
On-site
Networking Lunch
Afternoon · 1:45 PM – 5:00 PM ▾
1:45–2:30
Panel Discussion
2:30–2:45
Break
2:45–3:30
Panel Discussion
3:30–3:45
Break
3:45–4:30
Fireside Chat
4:30–4:45
Closing Remarks
4:45–5:00
Doors Closing
Saturday November 8, 2025
Part of the event objectives is to build our community. This day is dedicated to informal conversations and relationship building in a fun, relaxing yet stimulating setting, taking the visiting alumni (and some locals) for a discovery tour of what New York City has to offer!
A group will leave from the Bowery CitizenM hotel in the morning. Registration for each event will be required to enable booking of the various events.
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 AM | 11:45 AM | Mercer Labs | Mercer Labs in NYC is an immersive museum blending art and technology across 15 interactive rooms. Designed to engage all five senses, it features soundscapes, mirrors, and tactile installations. Created by artist Roy Nachum, it offers a boundary-pushing, multisensory experience in the heart of Lower Manhattan. | Location |
| 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | Brunch Buffet | Treadwell Park Downtown’s brunch buffet offers a lively weekend experience with dishes like Nutella French toast and red velvet pancakes. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with craft beers, games, and communal seating in the heart of Battery Park City. | Treadwell Park Downtown |
| 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM |
5:00 PM | 9/11 Museum and Memorial | Discover the powerful 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where history and emotion converge. Explore the deeply moving exhibits at your own pace or opt for the guided tour to gain deeper insights. Three time slots available, including one with a guided experience. | Location |
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM · Mercer Labs ▾
Description
Mercer Labs in NYC is an immersive museum blending art and technology across 15 interactive rooms. Designed to engage all five senses, it features soundscapes, mirrors, and tactile installations. Created by artist Roy Nachum, it offers a boundary-pushing multisensory experience.
Additional Cost
Location
View on Google Maps
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM · Brunch Buffet ▾
Description
Treadwell Park Downtown’s brunch buffet offers a lively weekend experience with dishes like Nutella French toast and red velvet pancakes. Enjoy craft beers, games, and communal seating in the heart of Battery Park City.
Additional Cost
Location
Treadwell Park Downtown
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · 9/11 Museum & Memorial ▾
Description
Discover the powerful 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where history and emotion converge. Explore the deeply moving exhibits at your own pace or opt for the guided tour for deeper insights. Three time slots available, including one guided.
Additional Cost
Location
View on Google Maps