Judges support our teams by providing feedback and evaluating early-stage business plans. Offering expert input in pitch competitions helps refine and fund new ventures – and it's a great opportunity to see some of the best and brightest ideas from across the Harvard community.
Judging for the President’s Innovation Challenge – the Harvard Innovation Labs’ signature venture competition – occurs each spring, with a two-week online review period to select finalists.
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per judging round
The entire process was excellent: the preparation, the quality of the presenting ventures, the impressive judges, and the constructive process by which we arrived at consensus. John Conley, Gilliam Partner
As an integral part of our student and alumni programming, we host expert panels, workshops, small group feedback sessions, and other events that feature members in our entrepreneurial ecosystem – including entrepreneurs, investors, and other experts – who would like to share their wisdom and expertise.
These events are generally held in the evenings and are up to 90-minutes in length, with a highly interactive structure. Programming occurs in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per session
Whether I'm counseling an undergraduate or a team of masters and doctoral students, I'm always blown away by their creativity, innovativeness, and energy. John I. Williams, Jr., Expert
Office hours are one-on-one advising sessions with ventures, students, and select alumni, hosted by entrepreneurs, industry experts, and functional specialists. Topics of these one-to-one conversations include problem definition and idea feedback, customer or market understanding, product development, brand development, career advice, the entrepreneurial journey, and more.
Individuals hosting office hours typically spend 1-2 days a month (about 3-4 hours at a time) meeting with students, in-person at the i-lab or virtually, during the academic year.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per semester
We talked about their unique challenges and aspirations, and, together, identified actionable steps to support their growth. JP Liang, Founder at OwlCity.AI
Entrepreneurs or individuals with significant founding experience have the opportunity to engage through mentorship and coaching for student teams at the Harvard Innovation Labs. Significant founding experience is defined as someone who was part of a founding team and has taken a venture or non-profit from founding through several stages of growth.
This is one of the most meaningful and impactful ways to engage with ventures at the Harvard Innovation Labs. It is a deeper-engagement and higher-frequency commitment, yet one of the most rewarding programs offered.
Our mentor program pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with student founders in the fall and spring semesters. Mentors spend time mentoring ventures, engaging in the community, and attending i-lab events.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
I have been very impressed with my mentee. She is very thoughtful and engaging in our discussions and takes my input seriously. Anand Parikh, Principal at ScaleUp Advisors
