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2023 President’s Innovation Challenge

What would the future look like if we broke free of limiting beliefs and barriers to entry? Without these, the future becomes a playground for our wildest imaginations to run free.

Innovation starts out as tiny seeds of ideas, blurry visions, or small shifts in perception… and then somewhere along the line, imagination takes shape — and the magic begins.

A diverse community of innovators that invites ideas from every angle creates an ecosystem that propels everyone forward. A place where no ideas are wasted. Where every spark becomes a building block. Our challenge, should we choose to accept it? When bold ideas strike, share them far and wide.

The President’s Innovation Challenge (PIC) is an invitation to Harvard students and select alumni & affiliate-led ventures to propel their ideas forward. The PIC is also an opportunity to win a share of $515,000 in non-dilutive funding, made possible by a gift from the Bertarelli Foundation. Throughout the seven-month process, teams develop their ventures with robust support from the Harvard Innovation Labs.

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Reflecting on a Decade of Innovation

“Over the last 10 years, 4,700+ founders — from all 13 Harvard schools — have come through our doors. They’ve gone on to raise over $4 billion in capital and, since they represent more than 150 countries, create truly global change. They’re transforming dozens of industries and creating meaningful impact across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.And yet, our work is only just beginning. Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come and focus on what’s next.”

–Matt Segneri, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Executive Director

Explore 10 Years of Innovation

What We Offer

For students

No matter what your interest in innovation is, we've got something for you.

From I-just-want-to-kick-the-tires to I'm-ready-for-the-fast-lane, we're here to help you.

If you’re a matriculated, degree-seeking Harvard student, your student ID is your license to explore what the i-lab can do for you. Come look around, experience our space, tap into advice with our expert office hours, or attend one of our workshops and start learning about innovation and entrepreneurship, or building your venture.

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For alumni

Harvard Innovation Labs supports alumni entrepreneurs who’ve graduated to the next level of the innovation world beyond the Harvard campus.

Launch Lab X GEO was built from the ground up to support the development of your venture from seed-stage startup to sustainable, disruptive business.

But we're not stopping there. Stay tuned for more announcements soon about our efforts to build a global network for Harvard alumni innovators and entrepreneurs.

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For life science entrepreneurs

Building early-stage life science and biotech ventures is hard. We make it a little easier.

If you're a Harvard student, alumni, faculty, or post-doc with an early-stage life science or biotech venture, the Life Lab offers everything you need to validate your idea.

With access to a fully-permitted wet lab and co-working space at below-market rates, and the entire Harvard Innovation Labs network available to you, everything you need to test, build, and grow, is at your fingertips.

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Latest News

Road to the PIC: Every Step is Sacred

Road to the PIC: Every Step is Sacred

While only a fraction of teams advance as finalists in the President's Innovation Challenge, every team benefits from the experience. Three past semifinalists share key learnings from their PIC experience and how their ventures have since evolved, proving that no isn't the end.
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