Why New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants 15% of whatever NYU’s new quantum lab invents

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has committed $29.2 million to NYU’s Quantum Fabrication Facility (QFab) in Manhattan, set to open in 2030. In return, the city gets 15% of NYU’s proceeds from intellectual property created with city-funded tools, plus three advisory board seats. Backed by $284 million in total funding, the new quantum lab will train CUNY students and support more than 100 companies.