The Jiang Fellows program recently welcomed 28 students to its 2026 cohort in its second year of operation. This spring, fellows will sharpen their entrepreneurial skills while preparing for a fully funded summer internship at a startup of their choice.

While the program is rooted in Cornell Duffield Engineering, with 14 engineering students in the 2026 cohort, it encourages any Cornell University student interested in entrepreneurship to apply. The program gives students the opportunity to build entrepreneurial skills, gain real-world experience, and expand their professional networks throughout the summer.

Juliet Crane ’27 hopes to “gain hands-on startup experience that I can apply to my own future entrepreneurial ventures” and is also “excited to connect with like-minded innovators, learn from Cornell’s entrepreneurship faculty, and develop skills in self-advocacy and decision-making that will be essential as I build my own company.”

During the spring semester, fellows complete a one-credit course exploring fundamental topics in entrepreneurship to prepare for their summer internship. As part of the course, students research startups of interest and connect with Entrepreneurs in Residence and program alumni, who offer guidance as they secure placements. Throughout the internship, students receive a weekly stipend and have travel costs covered, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Tianyi (TJ) Jiang ’96. In exchange, host companies provide fellows with executive-level access and mentorship, creating a truly unique professional experience.

Introducing the 2026 Jiang Fellows cohort:

• Saarang Bondalapati ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Computer Science

• Ishaana Rao ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Operations Research and Information Engineering

• Juliet Crane ‘27, Arts and Sciences, Computer Science

• Shravan Lad ‘27, Dyson + CIS: Applied Economics and Management, Information Science

• Vansh Bherwal ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science

• Owen Karmel ‘27, College of Arts and Sciences, Physics and Biochemistry

• Cheng Xu Ryan Tse ‘27, College of Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Ali A Mobeen ‘27, CALS, Biology & Society

• Anisha Roy ‘27, Independent Major: Biomedical Engineering and Entrepreneurship

• Jacquelyn Sparrow ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Biological Engineering

• Zara Qizilbash ‘27, Charles H. Dyson School of Business, Applied Economics and Management

• Antranig Baghdassarian ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

• Yan Yu ‘27, College of Human Ecology, Human Biology, Health, and Society

• Evan Ye ‘27, Charles H. Dyson School of Business

• Darian Pan ‘27, Dyson, Applied Economics and Management

• Maya Snead ‘27, College of Arts & Sciences, Economics & Information Science

• Kate Stiens ‘27, Human Ecology, Fashion Design

• Natalie Gemmer ‘27, SC Johnson, Hotel Administration

• Nicolas Garcia ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering

• James Thomforde ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

• Swecha Agarwal ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

• Owen Luo ‘27, CALS, Biometry and Statistics

• Jonathan Distler ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

• Anunya Kasliwal ‘27, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Architecture

• Isabel Chan ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Elie Ntakirutimana ‘27, CALS, Global Development and Agricultural Sciences

• Matthew Heering ‘27, Cornell Duffield Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

• Yuvraj Sarda ‘27, Arts & Sciences, Information Science & Mathematics

The students will complete the program in the fall with a presentation reflecting on their summer experiences. Many fellows hope to bring their startup ideas to life and create meaningful impact beyond campus.

“The 2026 cohort, our largest ever, has demonstrated impressive engagement and connectedness so far. I have no doubt they will maximize the potential of this incredible program and continue to support each other for years to come,” Jiang Fellows program director Alex Hagen boasts of this year’s cohort.

The 2026 Jiang Fellows cohort represents the next generation of Cornell innovators, set to turn their bold ideas into impactful ventures that extend far beyond campus.