Venture Program – Build It

ACCELERATING YOUR VENTURE INTO THE WORLD

Building an incredible team? Tested your idea with users? Already building a loyal customer base?

The Build It Venture Program is for Harvard-student led ventures that have reached this critical stage in their development and would benefit from one-on-one advising and mentoring tailored to their specific needs.

Build It Track

Expert Resources

In the Build It Program, you’ll gain an in-house advisor who can guide you through all the tough parts of building a venture. You can also choose to be matched with a mentor with real-world expertise who can help you understand today’s professional landscape.

1:1 Staff Advising Tailored to Venture Industry

Based on the direction of your venture – whether in social entrepreneurship, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods and services, or technology and B2B – you’ll be matched with an in-house i-lab advisor who’s with you for every step of the way as you bring your venture into the world!

Matched Mentorship

Pair with an entrepreneur or specialist in your field who can guide your venture’s progress based on your unique goals and needs.

Expert Office Hours

Schedule one-on-one meetings with entrepreneurs, lawyers, funders, and other specialists for advice rooted in real-world experience.

Expert Networking

Connect with industry experts who can form your venture’s essential network.

Programs and Events

Build It Founders can attend both Build It and Start It workshops, giving you a complete set of foundational knowledge that will help you take your venture to the next level. Program topics include:

Building a Pitch Deck

Business Model Evaluation

Customer Feedback

Founder Agreements & Conflict Resolution

Fundraising

Legal Issues

MVP Design and Testing

Pitching

Product Marketing

Product Roadmapping

Team and Founder Issues

User Acquisition

Community

The colleagues and friends you make in the Venture Program can help you think through (and challenge) your ideas, and help support you through your frustrations AND your wins!

Social Events with other Build It Ventures

Whether we’re meeting in-person or virtually, these are a fun way to get to know fellow entrepreneurs and leaders from across Harvard!

Community Roundtables

Our roundtables allow student founders to discuss topics impacting their ventures in an intimate environment.

Pitch Swaps

Practice pitching in front of an audience of peers who can offer feedback and even open up possible collaborations.

Game Nights

Get to know your fellow Build It founders in these informal, fun, virtual events!

Launch Lab X and Life Lab

After graduation, Build It ventures are eligible to apply for the Harvard Innovation Labs alumni and professional labs to continue their venture within the Harvard i-labs ecosystem. Learn more about these labs here!

Launch Lab X GEO
Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab

There is no way the four of us would have randomly come together at the same time in our lives with a shared interest without having some kind of an ecosystem for that to happen.”

— Michael Schrader
Co-Founder, VAXESS

Ready to Apply?

Applications are closed for the Fall Venture Program. Please check back in December 2020.

Still have questions?

Check out the Start It Track       Back to the Venture Program Overview