Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harvard Innovation Labs
Harvard Innovation Labs is an ecosystem that exists to support Harvard students and select alumni in their quest to explore the world of game-changing innovation and entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 2011, it has helped over 4,700 founders from all 13 Harvard schools to create global, lasting change.
The ecosystem encompasses several distinct spaces and programs: The i-lab, a dynamic, full-service space for current Harvard students interested in actively pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship; Launch Lab X GEO, a groundbreaking virtual accelerator for eligible Harvard alumni leading promising early-stage startup ventures based anywhere across the globe; and The Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab for Harvard students, faculty, and alumni working on high-potential life sciences and biotech startups.
Harvard Innovation Labs believes that while knowledge is the engine of innovation, connection and collaboration are the fuel. They believe that when you bring together the right mix of people with shared intentions and similar values, remarkable things happen. They believe in providing all the necessary supports for innovation including psychological safety, transparency, empathy, compassion, connection and the opportunity for creative collision
Harvard Innovation Labs offers a network of highly-curated advisors and mentors, peer collaboration and interaction, and comprehensive resource and programming support. They serve all matriculated, degree-seeking Harvard students, eligible alumni- or faculty-led ventures with an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Students and eligible alumni alike can take advantage of office hours with faculty mentors and industry experts, attend community events and workshops, and share thoughtfully-designed meeting and lab spaces.
One of the programs offered by Harvard Innovation Labs is the President’s Innovation Challenge (PIC), which is an invitation to Harvard students and select alumni & affiliate-led ventures to propel their ideas forward. The PIC is also an opportunity to win a share of $515,000 in non-dilutive funding, made possible by a gift from the Bertarelli Foundation. Throughout the seven-month process, teams develop their ventures with robust support from the Harvard Innovation Labs.
Harvard Innovation Labs also offers support for life science entrepreneurs through their Life Lab program. Building early-stage life science and biotech ventures is hard and the Life Lab aims to make it a little easier. If you’re a Harvard student, alumni, faculty, or post-doc with an early-stage life science or biotech venture, the Life Lab offers everything you need to validate your idea.
In conclusion, Harvard Innovation Labs is an ecosystem that exists to support Harvard students and select alumni in their quest to explore the world of game-changing innovation and entrepreneurship. They offer a network of highly-curated advisors and mentors, peer collaboration and interaction, and comprehensive resource and programming support. With programs like the President’s Innovation Challenge and the Life Lab, Harvard Innovation Labs provides students and alumni with the resources they need to turn their innovative ideas into reality.
