Undergraduate Students

Explore a curated list of entrepreneurship programs and resources throughout the Harvard innovation ecosystem at grid.harvard.edu/resources. While there, also check out Grid events to capture new ideas and/or find fellow venturers or even a co-founder.

Students can register for courses that provide entrepreneurial experiences ranging from product design and user-experience to field-based startup development and pitches to venture capitalists. Students can also pursue innovation while completing academic projects and elective courses offered across various concentrations. 

Review the course catalog for a complete listing of available courses. Suggested terms to search in the catalog include: entrepreneurship, innovation, startup, venture, and design.

Students can also discuss course options with academic advisors.

If your startup plans to use innovations developed at Harvard, the Office of Technology Development (OTD) will work with you to determine whether they fall under the University’s Statement of Policy on Intellectual Property (IP Policy). To begin this process, innovators must complete a Report of Innovation form - a crucial first step to protect both your interests and your innovation’s potential.

Timely reporting is critical. If you publish, present, or share your findings with others on a non-confidential basis before OTD files a patent application, the ability to secure intellectual property protection may be jeopardized. If you anticipate disclosing your work, contact OTD immediately.

OTD provides guidance on preparing your report and has also created The Inventor’s Handbook, an introductory guide to intellectual property and commercialization for Harvard faculty, researchers, and innovators.

The SEAS Active Learning Labs offer resources for individual/club-related student projects including the REEF Makerspace, industrial-grade 3D printers and desktop computers with a variety of engineering software. To gain access, students must complete a yearly general lab safety training along with any lab-specific training.

If you are a current, full-time, degree-seeking Harvard student, you can access coworking-space at the Harvard i-lab where you can work on ventures and collaborate with students across all Harvard schools. At the i-lab students also have access to a Maker Studio, AR/VR Studio, and Media Studio. 

The Harvard Grid website has a sections to discover a wide array of Events, Resources, Teaming and Venturing listings and Community Events/Opportunities.

• The President's Innovation Challenge is a call to action for Harvard students passionate about developing ideas that make a difference. Monetary prizes are awarded to the winners in each venture track.
• Check the Grid Events and Community Events page for additional opportunities.
• Harvard i-lab also offers The High Potential (HiPo) Program, a selective initiative for the most advanced commercial ventures within the Harvard Innovation Labs' student membership.
• The Harvard Grid offers an Applied AI Incubator, an 8-week program for SEAS undergraduates to build applied AI models into business-viable prototypes, with mentorship, cloud credits, and a pitch event to connect with investors and potential partners.

Check out the President’s Innovation Challenge Awards, Spark Grants, and the Social Impact Fellowship fund via the i-lab. If you wish to launch your lab-based (faculty-led) research, consider a Grid Accelerator Award or the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator. Other resources found at the Grid also have business plan competitions with cash awards.

Harvard Grid hosts the Lab-2-Market series, a monthly, walk-in/walk-out office hours session with two or more serial entrepreneurs and/or angel investors sitting around a table at the ready to talk about your ideas. Bring curiosity and questions for a no-risk, no experience required discussion. Or, just come for a bite and a listen. Check the Events page for upcoming Lab-2-Market meet-ups.

Harvard i-lab members have access to a robust network of mentors/advisors who are dedicated to supporting founders.

For one-on-one advice, students can book appointments with legal guides through the Harvard Innovation Labs’ office hours appointment calendar.

SEAS students seeking career advice should schedule an appointment to meet with the SEAS Office of Student Career Development.

The Harvard Office of Career Services (OCS) is a Harvard-wide resource available to help students explore potential career pathways. Students can view and apply for open opportunities through Crimson Careers, a centralized hub for job and internship posting.

There are a variety of student-led clubs and organizations including SEAS-affiliated student organizations that focus on entrepreneurship. The Harvard Undergraduate Ventures (HUV) and Harvard Undergraduate Capital Partners are two student-led organizations that work with venture capital firms and entrepreneurs.