Venture Program – Start It

Grow Your Great Idea

Are you passionate about a new product, cause, market, or technology and are figuring out the next steps for developing your exciting idea into a venture? The Start It Venture Program offers the support you’ll need to carry your commitment to the next level.

When you join the Start It track, you will:

• Learn how to progress from compelling idea to real-world venture.
• Gain the critical, foundational learning you’ll need to navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
• Become familiar with the i-lab’s many resources as we become familiar with you!
• Make appointments for Expert Office Hours as you navigate inevitable challenges.
• Join a community of leaders and peers who are tackling similar ideas, questions, and issues.

Start It Track

Expert Resources

Start It teams can access a wide range of advise and expertise to help build out your ideas.

Expert Office Hours

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

Expert Networking

Opportunities to get to know the i-lab Experts: seasoned entrepreneurs who can offer advice on strategic and operational issues you will face while building your venture.

Mentor Pitch Swaps

Practice pitching your venture to our mentors for valuable feedback!

Access to Staff Advising

Gain insights from the i-lab’s in-house advising team of seasoned and thoughtful experts.

Programs and Events

Start It programs build on each other throughout the semester to give you the information you need, right when you need it. Topics covered include:

Building Your Website and Acquiring Beta Customers

Customer Discovery

Customer Value Proposition

Design Thinking

Designing Customer Surveys and Interviews

Idea Evaluation

Lean Model Canvas

Marketing Research

Minimum Viable Product

Roadmap Planning

Community

The people you meet and the connections you make will take you beyond where you thought you could go!

Social Events for Start It Teams

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

Community Roundtables

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

Start It Pitch Swaps

Gain valuable experience by pitching your venture to your peers, receiving feedback, and opening up possible collaborations.

Affinity Groups

Learn and gain support from peers who share your interests and concerns.

Game Nights

Build friendships across the Venture Program at our virtual game nights!

The i-lab is a space that’s full of energy and innovation, and allows different people from across the university to be at the same level and work together.”

— Liz Powers
Founder, ArtLifting

Ready to Apply?

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

Still have questions?

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