The Innovation Fund

 

The Innovation Fund aims to support early-stage entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds by providing equity-free grants to any Harvard-affiliated founder with a vision and the drive to make that vision a reality. This year’s total prize pool includes over $20k in cash grants, AWS credits, and more in partnerships/fast-tracks with our partners. This year’s Innovation Fund is held in partnership with Harvard Undergraduate Consulting for Business and the Environment (CBE) Ventures, with a special Sustainability Prize offered by CBE.

Every applicant will receive $1k in non-dilutive AWS credits, and eligible finalists may opt to have their applications fast-tracked to the Z Fellows.

In addition to ongoing mentorship, you'll also get to attend our bootcamp program and Demo Day. Select participants will also receive access to our vast network of 50+ VC and angel investor partners, with total $245B+ AUM. We select teams based on the criteria below, giving them access to education and platform partnerships to accelerate their businesses.

Any companies with a Harvard-affiliated founder may apply. This includes, but is not limited to, current students at any Harvard school, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and recent alumni. Please contact fund@harvardcap.org with any questions.

 

Application Criteria:

  • Idea: Team presents an ambitious idea that addresses an important issue, a concrete solution that contains different perspectives, and an action plan that will impact real communities and which is not solely based on intuition. Both for-profit and non-profit startups are welcome to apply.

  • Team: Members include current Harvard-affiliated students or alumni who demonstrate committed personal investment, technical ability, and entrepreneurial vision.

  • Vision: The team’s solution includes ways to continue developing the product and furthering knowledge and innovation over the course of the grant period. 

  • Engagement: Teams should attend our speaker events in October, participate in our Demo Day conference weekend and check-in Zoom meetings throughout the grant period, and engage in our workshops, office hours, and programming throughout the semester.

 
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Fall 2023 Timeline

Oct. 27 @ 11:59pm ET: Application Due

Nov. 1-2: Round 1 Interviews

Nov. 6-7: Round 2 Interviews

Nov. 10 @ Noon: Demo Day/Winners Announced

 

For more details, contact us at fund@harvardcap.org, attend our information sessions via registration above, or watch a past information session below!

For more information on acceptable use of funds, please reference this document.


 
 

Past Innovation Fund Winners

 
 

Supporters of the HUCP Innovation Fund

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