The Allston Venture Fund

“Early stage ventures benefit enormously from funding, which can mean the difference between continuing and ending a promising venture. The Allston Venture Fund is an independent investment collaborative that offers critical support during that early period when so much is possible, and keeps the door open for continued growth.”

– Matt Segneri, Executive Director, Harvard Innovation Labs

What is The Allston Venture Fund?

The Allston Venture Fund is an investment collaborative focused on providing both pre-seed funding and equity-free grants to ventures led by Harvard students.

Formed in 2019, The Allston Venture Fund is an investment collaborative focused on providing funding to high-potential, high-impact ventures led by Harvard students. The fund is currently backed by the following six firms:

The Allston Venture Fund is an independent enterprise that is not affiliated with Harvard. Harvard does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any investment, activity, product or service of The Allston Venture Fund or its investors.

How much funding is available?

The fund will invest ~ $700,000 per year, over three investment periods: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Investments take the form of a SAFE and range from $10,000 to $100,000 each.

Who is eligible?

This opportunity is open to any Harvard student or Harvard student-led teams whose ventures:

have a founder who is a matriculated, degree-seeking Harvard student

2  have achieved material traction with their venture

3  are incorporated as a C corporation

4  are actively raising capital

How do I apply?

You should not include confidential information in your application. By submitting an application, you consent to the release of information contained in your application to The Allston Venture Fund.

The selection process:

The Allston Venture Fund Investment Committee, which is made up of partners from each of the founding firms, will evaluate all applications submitted and choose select applicants to present to the committee.

The selected applicants will have the opportunity to pitch to the Investment Committee.

The Allston Venture Fund Investment Committee will select the number of investments and determine investment amounts.

The Allston Venture Fund Investment Committee is independent from Harvard and is solely responsible for the selection of applicants to present to the committee and for all investment decisions. No Harvard employee, faculty member or student serves on the committee.

KEY DATES

January 17, 2024 | Application Launch

February 8, 2024 | Application Close

February 29, 2024 | Pitch Notification

Week of March 25, 2024 | Pitch Day

Apply

PREVIOUS FUND RECIPIENTS

Summer 2023

Spring 2023

Winter 2023

Summer 2022

Spring 2022

Fall 2021

Summer 2021

Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Summer 2020

Spring 2020