Why do we need Finance Labs in 2025?
Your key to Success in Business and FinTech in 2025!
Table of contents
Introduction
Ever wished to start your first business venture but are restricted on the seed money? According to Statista, Indian tech startups received 700 million USD in seed-stage funding in 2023.
How to know your potential funding investors? How do you know where to learn the practical skills to start your venture?
Don't fret, this is where finance labs play a big role. Today we will discuss everything you need to know regarding finance labs and why we need them in 2025.
Finance Labs in 2025 -what is it?
Incubators and finance labs promote the development and adoption of financial technology, usually non-profit organizations. They help early-stage fintech startups grow and innovate by providing resources, mentorship, and funding. Developing a corporate finance lab like Deloitte's can help businesses transform their finance function digitally.
Universities like MIT, ESADE and many more listed below have finance labs to provide students with hands-on experience in financial technology, often using real-time data and industry tools.
Different types of finance labs
Finance labs thrive on uplifting financial development and approaches in the financial sector. With the rapid development of the business foreground, we discover different aspects to study in Finance to solve real-world problems as discussed in our Top Types of MFin Programs and Specifications. Finance labs focus on innovation and advancement in the financial industries. Here we have categorized finance labs into two broad types:
- University Finance Labs: These finance labs built in universities or colleges are dedicated to providing students with practical experience in finance. They are mentored to think out-of-the-box and theorize practically implementable ideas, fostering their entrepreneurial spirit and preparing them for the industries and markets.
These labs are a great place for students to gain real-world experience and apply their knowledge. They also provide the opportunity to network with professionals in the industry. This experience provides students with unique practical experiences making them more employable. In this article, we will focus more on university-hosted financial incubators.
- Finance Labs for Business: Typically these are consulting firms, incubators, or workshops that offer financial analysis and strategy services and seed money to young businesses. These associations also provide mentorship and networking opportunities with a co-working space for young entrepreneurs to work, collaborate and build a strong foundation for growth.
Startups that participate in incubator programs are more likely to succeed due to the guidance provided which helps these young innovative brains overcome initial hurdles and to achieve faster growth.
Popular finance labs hosted by Universities across the globe
Finance incubators help in accelerating financial technology advancement which is in dire need this 2024. These finance labs sometimes called fintech accelerators focus on nurturing early-stage startups in the financial space. Universities and institutes play a vital role in fostering these innovative ideas among young students, giving them access to resources and mentorships. Here is a list of a few popular finance labs hosted by some of the top universities
| Lab | Host | Location | Role & Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Lab (Fin-lab) | MIT Sloan | Massachusetts, USA | Gives access to Bloomberg, MATLAB, Mathematica, CRSP and various software tools and data sources. Projects to leverage academic curriculum and practical implementations. |
| Esade Finance Lab | Esade | Madrid, Spain | Access to popular financial databases like Bloomberg, Workspace, FactSet, etc. Part of MSc Finance and MBA of Esade Business School. |
| Financial Research and Trading Laboratory | IIM Calcutta | Kolkata, India | A total of 6 NSE Cogencis terminals are available. Frequent research conferences and workshops. Procurement of international databases and software. |
| Finance Trading Lab | Naveen Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas | Texas, USA | Access to trading simulation tools and databases like Bloomberg, Workspace, Wharton Research Data Services. Sponsors trading competitions enhancing participants' analytical abilities. |
| Finance Labs | St. Xavier's College | Kolkata, India | Simulation of real-life trading with time data from various stock exchanges. Focused on finance, economics, and quantitative techniques. Access to databases like Prowess, Bloomberg, IndiaStat. |
| Finance Lab | ISME | Bangalore, India | Virtual stock trading. Workshops on domains like GST and corporate actions. Forex trading demo. |
| IEU Labs (Finance Labs) | IE Business School | Segovia, Spain | Training in corporate finance, asset management, venture capital, and advisory services. Projects in private equity and origination of opportunities for clients. |
| Briger Family Digital Finance Lab | Columbia Business School | New York, USA | Combining traditional economic concepts with modern computation. Trains students with practitioners to understand real-world challenges and opportunities. |
| Sustainable Finance Lab | Colorado School of Mines, Payne Institute | Colorado, USA | Focuses on financial tools in energy transition and decarbonization. Highlights private investment in energy transition. |
Some universities hold successful alumni of the same fields to guide their students and educate them holistically.
Benefits of finance labs
University finance incubator labs offer unique benefits for students aspiring in the domains of fintech and wishing to excel in the future job markets of financial sectors. These labs act as an incubator for these ambitious individuals preparing the market for the competitive market. Here we listed a few key ways these labs empower these students and young innovators.
- Hands-on Experience: In finance labs, students use real-time market data, software, and simulation tools to develop financial models, portfolio analysis, and investment research skills. This added experience gives an edge to your profile and makes you stand out from the rest.
- Theory and Practical: These financial incubators strive to bridge the gap between finance theory and practice. They encourage students to work on projects independently or in collaboration and enhance problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Networking: Many of the institutes with finance labs like IIM Calcutta, MIT, and Esade are the home to many successful entrepreneurs. This allows the leaders to provide guidance and mentorship to the perspectives of their alma mater. This also allows collaboration and immense networking opportunities.
- Exposure: Be it new tools, technologies, software or databases these incubators give access to all of them to their students to build them for the competitive world outside.
- Startup fundamentals: These incubators are connected to student-run startups and ventures and this exposure equips one with entrepreneurial skills.
The list of advantages is uncountable as it helps boost confidence, develop an innovative mindset, and explore career paths incorporating different trends and flavors in finance sectors. In short incubators or finance labs are beneficial in nurturing young business minds.
Interested to know about other popular labs hosted by top B-Schools? Check out the list of Marketing Labs in 2025.
Conclusion
University finance incubators help bridge the gap between theoretical and practical realities in financial sectors and train students with the skills, knowledge and network needed to thrive in the dynamic world of finance.
With the interdisciplinary nature of the current market, organizations, and programs are working to push boundaries and integrate technology for a more efficient, innovative and sometimes even disruptive future of finance. Overall these finance incubators play a vital role in developing businesses, access to resources, and mentorship from an early stage.
Do you wish to know how you can be a part of such institutes as well and write your scholarship-winning essays to one of these schools? Book a session with us if you are looking for a buddy in your study abroad journey!
Success Stories
Krutika
Admits from EDHEC Business School
Bijal was instrumental in structuring my application to demonstrate my work. She provided me with timely feedback and guidance. Being an MiM student herself, she shared her personal experience at every stage which helped me to have a better understanding of the process and get into the school of my choice.
Santanu Kumar Pal
Admits from EDHEC Business School
I highly recommend Bijal Gandhi, the founder of EdYou Abroad, a Higher Education Consultancy Company, for her exceptional services in guiding students through the master’s application process. Bijal’s expertise in personalized assistance, value for money, and honest, unbiased advice sets her apart. Her commitment extends beyond admission, as she continues to provide valuable guidance even after acceptance. With Bijal’s assistance, I successfully gained admission to EDHEC Business School, a top-tier institution. I am grateful for her professionalism and dedication, and I confidently endorse EdYou Abroad’s consultancy services for anyone pursuing higher education opportunities.
Urmi Panchamia
Admits from University of Toronto
EdYou with the super experienced counsellors, have ALL the answers to your Study Abroad Journey. So Helpful, couldn’t have imagined anyone else giving me the kind of insight and expertise for my applications. The guidance with Cv Building, Portfolio and SOP has increased my chances of getting into top colleges. Would recommend every student to plan their future abroad with EdYou.
Simran Jariwala
Admits from Stevens Institute of Technology
Even though I had no tech background, Bijal’s help got me into good business and data analytics programs that too with scholarships. Thank you so much for believing in me!
Sreekanth Reddy Annareddy
Admits from EDHEC, SKEMA
I highly recommend Bijal as a study abroad consultant. What really set her apart was how personalized the entire service was. She didn’t just give generic advice but took the time to understand my goals, preferences, and concerns. From suggesting the right universities to helping me refine my application, every step felt tailored to my needs.
What truly stood out was the genuine support she provided. Bijal was always there to answer my questions and give advice that felt both thoughtful and sincere. It wasn’t just about getting me into a program, she genuinely cared about my journey and well-being throughout the process. Her attention to detail and constant encouragement made a huge difference, and I felt confident every step of the way.
If you’re looking for a consultant who offers a genuine support throughout your study about journey, Bijal is the one you want by your side.
Aditya Shetty
Admits from SKEMA Business School
I am delighted to write this recommendation for Bijal, whose exceptional guidance played a pivotal role in my admission to the Master in Management program at Skema Business School, Paris.
Bijal’s expertise as a counsellor goes beyond just offering advice; she takes the time to understand her students’ aspirations, strengths, and challenges. Her ability to provide personalized strategies and insights helped me build a compelling application that truly reflected my skills and potential.
Throughout the process, Bijal was not only a mentor but also a source of constant encouragement. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured my essays, resume, and other materials met the highest standards. She also provided invaluable support in preparing me for interviews, equipping me with the confidence and clarity needed to succeed.
I wholeheartedly recommend Bijal to anyone seeking expert guidance for their academic or professional journey. Her skills, experience, and passion for helping others achieve their goals make her an asset to anyone fortunate enough to work with her.
Ananya Shenoy
Admits from Georgetown University
Bijal played a pivotal role in helping me structure my application to highlight my work and achievements effectively. Her feedback was always timely, insightful, and tailored to my goals. Her guidance was instrumental throughout the process and played a key part in helping me gain admission to the school of my choice. Thankyou!
Sivaraam K
Admits from ESADE, EDHEC, FSFM
I am incredibly grateful to Bijal for the invaluable support and guidance she provided throughout my academic journey. At a time when I felt uncertain and doubted the strength of my profile, Bijal’s insightful understanding and personalized approach completely transformed my perspective. She helped me streamline my entire application process and gave me clarity on choosing the right university—one that I genuinely had a chance at—and even helped improve my acceptance chances significantly.
What truly stood out was her dedication to my essay drafting challenges. Bijal treated it with such care and importance that it felt extraordinary, and I am deeply thankful for that. Even after receiving an early admission offer, she encouraged me to hold on and explore other options, knowing my profile was strong enough for a better fit. Thanks to her mentorship, care, and up-to-date knowledge of universities worldwide, I ultimately secured a place at a top 20 global university for my business master’s program—something no other consultancy would have advised.
Bijal made me realize the potential in my profile when I couldn’t see it myself. I wholeheartedly recommend her for anyone seeking deep, thoughtful analysis for university selection, academic research, or professional guidance. She is not only growing in her expertise but also helping others grow alongside her.
Anshul Pokharna
Admits from EDHEC, BITSOM
I worked with Bijal Gandhi during my MBA application process, and I’m genuinely glad I did. When I first started, I was focused on going abroad. But after a few discussions with my parents, I began exploring Indian options too — that’s where Bijal really stepped in.
She never gave templated advice. Instead, she helped me think through both options carefully — understanding my profile, career goals, and what I really wanted from an MBA. Her approach was balanced, honest, and very thoughtful.
One thing I truly appreciated was how seriously she took BITSoM. A lot of people would have dismissed it just because it’s a new school, but she did her homework. She looked into the faculty, curriculum, industry connects, and overall potential. Her analysis gave me the confidence to apply — and eventually accept the offer.
If you’re looking for someone who’ll truly guide you — not just help you apply — Bijal is someone you can trust.
Bhavana Manikonda
Admits from UCL
am super happy to recommend Bijal! She was an amazing mentor who guided me through a big career change from medicine to management. I got into UCL, which top 9 in the world…I was clueless about what course to choose, which university to choose , but Bijal’s guidance and support were spot on. She’s super friendly, and always available to help.Bijal not only provided me with valuable insights and advice but also ensured that I was well-prepared for every step of the process. She was consistently available to answer my questions and offer support, and her enthusiasm and passion for her work are contagious.
I can surely say that no one understands what course you need and university you pick,beacuse I have seen friends struggle taking universities and courses recommended by consultants as they get money through tieups she really never compromised and I really love this about her.
What struck me most about Bijal was her commitment to delivering on her promises. She did everything she mentioned . I had a smooth and successful experience. Her guidance and mentorship were invaluable, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her. Bijal made the whole process smooth and stress-free. If you need guidance on your abroad journey bijal is the best!!!
Mrunal Hulke
Admits from ESSEC Business School
I’m incredibly grateful to Bijal for her unwavering support throughout my study abroad application journey. From our first conversation, she took the time to truly understand my background, strengths, and aspirations, and helped me express my story in a way that felt both authentic and compelling. Her feedback on my applications to HEC Paris and ESSEC Business School was always clear, actionable, and encouraging, which made the whole process feel much less daunting. Bijal also guided me through my interview prep, helping me find my voice and present myself with confidence. Thanks to her mentorship, I was thrilled to receive initial shortlists from both schools. I wholeheartedly recommend Bijal to anyone pursuing their dream of studying abroad, her guidance and genuine care truly make all the difference.
Cesar Souza
Admits from London Business School
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey, and especially to Bijal Gandhi from EdYou Abroad, who played a key role in making this achievement possible. Their support went far beyond strategic guidance. They helped me structure my story, highlight my experiences, and build a coherent and authentic application. I couldn’t have done it without them.