Research Guides: Entrepreneurship &amp; Startups: VC, Funders, and Competitors

Venture Capital Funding Databases

Using the databases below, you can screen for venture capital firms by a variety of criteria. Identify competitors by seeing which startups are working on similar products/services and gain insights into who to pitch by seeing which investors are interested in your industry and similar startups.

CB Insights
Use the "Advanced Search" to screen by deals, companies, and investors/acquirers. Consult the "Research" portal for startups trend and analysis reports, including the quarterly "Venture Capital Funding Report".
NYU's subscription to CB Insights will end on August 26, 2025.

Requires creation of a CB Insights account with an active NYU email. If your credentials have expired or you receive a trial account error, contact info@cbinsights.com.

Not all "Research" reports fall under NYU's subscription. Locked "Expert Intelligence" reports are not sold to academic clients.

Individual accounts may only download up to 6,000 rows of data per year. Faculty accounts with expanded downloading capabilities may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email the Business Library team using our form for more information.
Pitchbook
Research and analyze companies, deals, funds, investors and service providers across the entire private investment lifecycle.
Users should be directed straight to the PitchBook interface after the Duo push. If not, follow the steps below based on the screen you see:
If prompted withChoose how to sign in: select 'New York University'.
If prompted with Sign In to PitchBook: select 'Sign in with SSO' and enter your NYU email (NetID@nyu.edu).

Users must always use NYU Libraries' link to log in.

Daily download and print limits are restricted to 10 rows, with a monthly maximum of 25 rows. Screen capture is prohibited. For bulk data access, please go to PitchBook via WRDS. If you do not have a WRDS account, please refer to the WRDS guide for more information.
Preqin
Provides financial information and data on alternative asset markets worldwide. NYU's subscription includes private equity and venture capital, private debt, real estate, hedge funds, infrastructure, sustainability/ESG, and Preqin's Insight+ analysis. Other modules are not available at this time.
Users may request large data downloads (that require delivery via a custom Preqin link) via Preqin's live chat. Preqin's private equity and venture capital data is also accessible via WRDS.
Capital IQ
Under the "Screening" tab, use any of their default PE/VC templates or create your own.
Requires NetID and password on and off-campus.
Important: All third-party cookies must be enabled in the web browser setting while accessing Capital IQ.

Using an incognito or private window is highly recommended.
LSEG Workspace
Click "Screening & Analysis" in the top bar, then "Private Equity".
Each user is permitted to view and/or download up to 150 pages of analyst report content ("AMR") per 24 hour period. Faculty may request expanded AMR access - pending availability - by emailing the Business Library team using our form.

Users may log in via the LSEG web platform, or optionally via LSEG's Mac and PC software.

Crunchbase (Free Version)
Similar to CB Insights. Cross-reference your competitors and funders here.

Angel Investors

Not ready for or not interested in VC funding at present? eLab maintains a large list of funding sources, many of which are angel investors focused on NYC.

Grant Funding

Foundation Directory Online
Social entrepreneurs who plan to start a not-for-profit, such as a 501(c)(3), can discover private and public foundation grant funding opportunities via this database.
GrantForward
A research funding opportunity database that includes the ability to search for pre-solicitations, grants, awards, sponsors, and researchers. Includes extensive, researcher-focused support materials and an intelligent grant recommendation engine.
Users must create an account with their @nyu.edu email address.

Workshop: When and How to Raise Venture Capital

This Leslie eLab workshop (YouTube video; 1 hour 36 minutes) introduces the different sources of financing for startups at each stage of growth, and provides specific tactics for startup fundraising. Attend the workshop in person for personalized advice.

Entrepreneurship & Startups

Venture Capital Funding Databases

Angel Investors

Grant Funding

Workshop: When and How to Raise Venture Capital

Books