Building a company from Boston University
Incubators and accelerators, then the investors who back teams like yours.
Founder toolsReview the documented university identity, entrepreneurship programs, and sources connected to Boston University.
Startup and research standing
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PitchBook University Rankings: Female Founders | 2026 | #22 | Down 1 | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
| PitchBook University Rankings: Graduate Founders | 2025 | =33 | Down 1 | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
| PitchBook University Rankings: Undergraduate Founders | 2026 | #37 | Up 1 | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
| CWUR World University Rankings (Global 2000 List) | 2026 | #101 | No prior edition | B | Research, Prestige, Talent |
| Nature Index Research Leaders | 2026 | #154 | No prior edition | B | Research |
| Academic Ranking of World Universities | 2026 | 101 to 150 | No prior edition | A | Research, Prestige |
Pick what describes you
Incubators and accelerators, then the investors who back teams like yours.
Founder toolsResearch groups at Boston University and the programs that fund spinouts.
Boston University has been a leader in the startup and venture capital ecosystem, providing numerous successful companies and investors with the resources to succeed. Founded in 1839, the university has a long history of fostering entrepreneurial and innovative ideas. Recent success stories include the popular ride-sharing app Lyft, which was co-founded by Boston University graduate John Zimmer, and the internet security company CloudFlare, founded by former Boston University professor Matthew Prince.
The university offers a wide array of resources to assist students and alumni in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Boston University's Entrepreneurship Center provides mentoring, classes, and pitch competitions as well as access to the Idea Accelerator, a summer program that provides students with the skills and resources to launch their own startups. The university also provides financial support to its startup and venture capital ecosystem, offering funding in the form of grants, fellowships, and scholarships, as well as the ability to access venture capital funding through the university's venture capital fund.
Boston University is also home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and investors. The university's Office of Technology Development provides mentoring, workshops, and resources to help students and alumni develop their business ideas. Boston University also hosts an annual Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship Conference to connect entrepreneurs and investors. Additionally, the university partners with organizations such as the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center and the Massachusetts Angel Investment Network to provide resources to students and alumni seeking to launch new businesses.
Boston University has seen great success in its startup and venture capital ecosystem and is a leader in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The university offers an array of resources to help students and alumni get their businesses off the ground, as well as access to financial support and a vibrant network of entrepreneurs and investors. Success stories include Lyft, founded by Boston University graduate John Zimmer, and CloudFlare, founded by former professor Matthew Prince. With the university’s continued support and guidance, future entrepreneurs and venture capitalists will be sure to find success in the Boston University startup and venture capital ecosystem.
Ranked near Boston University in PitchBook University Rankings: Female Founders
| # | University | Founders | Companies | Raised | Raised per company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | University of Toronto | 110 | 106 | $1B | |
| 18 | Duke University | 109 | 108 | $2.1B | |
| 19 | University of Southern California (USC) | 107 | 107 | $3.4B | |
| 20 | McGill University | 103 | 102 | $2.6B | |
| 21 | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | 98 | 95 | $4.2B | |
| 22 | Boston UniversityThis page | 94 | 92 | $1.7B | |
| 23 | Western University | 92 | 83 | $1.3B | |
| 24 | Tel Aviv University | 90 | 87 | $2.2B | |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin, Madison | 88 | 87 | $1.2B | |
| 26 | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | 86 | 85 | $1.2B | |
| 27 | Georgetown University | 83 | 82 | $1.7B |
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