Celebrating a decade of innovation

Reflecting on a decade of innovation

As we reflect on the 10th anniversary of the Harvard Innovation Labs, we could not be prouder of the work our teams have done to improve our futures, or more excited for what’s still to come.

Over the last decade, 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. Our teams are transforming dozens of industries and creating meaningful impact that spans the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

As we look toward the next decade, our mission remains to foster an innovation ecosystem across all 13 Harvard schools — one that inspires, connects, and advances innovative ideas and leaders. With more than 1,000 students in our Membership program, a growing number of alumni ventures in our Launch Lab X GEO program, and a vibrant community of biotech and life science ventures at the Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab, each day we witness the power of bringing diverse, creative groups of entrepreneurs together. It’s been remarkable to see the collective impact our community has made. And yet, we know that our work is only just beginning. Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come while staying focused on the future.

To our students, alumni, mentors and advisors, and everyone exploring innovation with us, thank you for being part of our community.

Innovation from
Within

A climate-friendly collaboration with Shelly Xu Design

To commemorate a decade of innovation, the Harvard Innovation Labs partnered with one of our Launch Lab X GEO ventures, Shelly Xu Design, to create an iconic, zero-waste laptop case. SXD is a zero-waste design-tech startup focused on reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry, which produces 92 million tons of textile waste annually. SXD starts its product designs with leftover or wasted fabric that would have gone to landfill. With these salvaged materials, SXD creates efficient designs with zero fabric waste. Working with the Harvard Innovation Labs, SXD designed this 10th anniversary zero-waste laptop bag made from leftover materials and constructed by climate refugees in a manufacturing facility in Bangladesh.

 

AS FEATURED IN:

Yanko Design
Trend Hunter

Shelly is the founder of Shelly Xu Design (SXD), a design-tech startup that makes beautiful, zero-waste clothing and accessories.

Check out Shelly Xu Design

100 Ventures Redefining our Future

Over the past decade, 2,500+ ventures have been founded at the Harvard Innovation Labs by Harvard students, alumni, and faculty across a broad range of industries. Their impact can be felt across the globe.

In 2022, we highlighted 100 incredible ventures that have come out of our ecosystem, 10 for each of our 10 years of existence, to give you a taste of the change they are making in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. These select ventures truly represent the vision and heart at the center of our work.

Want to see what’s coming out of the Harvard Innovation Labs next? Join us at the 2023 Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge Awards Ceremony on May 3, where we’ll showcase this year’s most extraordinary i-lab ventures. See what’s next.

As inspiration for the start of 2022, this month’s 10 for 10 list features transformative ventures across industries — from greeting cards to first-responder communications.

READ JANUARY’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring a few of the many extraordinary ventures founded by Black entrepreneurs at the Harvard Innovation Labs.

READ FEBRUARY’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring women-led ventures that have had profound impacts on the lives of millions, from reducing cyberbullying around the world to helping patients in Vietnam access quality medical care.

READ MARCH’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring extraordinary ventures uncovering new, unexpected ways to take on climate change.

READ APRIL’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring ventures that are using AI to power solutions to a variety of challenges, from removing biases in hiring practices to reducing the costs of sending money across the U.S. and Africa.

READ JUNE’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring innovations that help people enhance and plan their lives in a variety of ways — from improving outcomes for people who want to quit smoking to offering compassionate end-of-life planning.

READ JULY’S 10 FOR 10

Featuring innovations in how data is stored, transferred, and secured, as well as new applications of data that have transformed industries.

READ AUGUST’S 10 FOR 10

This month’s installment features a variety of education- and career-related innovations — from a music application that helps elementary school students improve their vocabulary, to career-focused learning resources and tools for young people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

READ SEPTEMBER’S 10 FOR 10

Every fall, we’re reminded about what makes the Harvard Innovation Labs truly special—the cross-disciplinary nature of our university innovation center. For this 10 for 10 edition we’re highlighting innovations across a wide range of industries.

READ OCTOBER’S 10 FOR 10

Our inaugural 10 for 10 list features 10 incredible ventures that have come out of the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem.

READ DECEMBER’S 10 FOR 10