Harvard New Venture Competition
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Introducing the 2024 Harvard New Venture Competition

The Harvard New Venture Competition is an annual event hosted by Harvard Business School's Rock Center for Entrepreneurship and the Social Enterprise Initiative. It provides a platform for students and alumni to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas and compete for funding and resources. The competition is divided into several tracks, including Business, Social Enterprise, and Alumni, each catering to different types of ventures. 


 Participants receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, access to workshops, and the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of investors, industry experts, and faculty members. The competition culminates in a final pitch event, where finalists present their ventures to the Harvard community and compete for cash prizes and in-kind support to help launch or scale their businesses. The Harvard New Venture Competition aims to foster innovation and support the next generation of entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into impactful ventures.

The Harvard New Venture Competition has a set of rules and guidelines to ensure a fair and productive experience for all participants. Here's an overview of the key rules: 

Eligibility: The competition is open to Harvard Business School students and alumni. Different tracks have specific eligibility requirements. Teams can consist of one or more members, but at least one member must meet the eligibility criteria for their respective track. 

Team Composition: Teams can have members from different schools within Harvard, but a Harvard Business School student or alumnus must play a significant role in the venture. Each team can submit only one entry to the competition. 

Venture Stage: Ventures at various stages of development can enter, from early ideas to more developed businesses. Ventures should not have raised more than a certain amount of external capital (usually around $1-2 million) to qualify for the competition. 

Submission Requirements: Teams must submit a written business plan or executive summary that outlines their venture’s value proposition, market opportunity, business model, and financial projections. Additional materials such as pitch decks or videos may be required for certain stages of the competition. 

Judging Criteria: Entries are judged on criteria such as innovation, market potential, feasibility, impact, and the quality of the team. Judges include investors, industry experts, and faculty members who evaluate the submissions and pitches. 

Confidentiality: While efforts are made to maintain confidentiality, participants are advised to avoid including proprietary or confidential information in their submissions. Judges and organizers are not required to sign nondisclosure agreements. 

Final Presentation: Finalists are required to present their ventures in a live pitch event. Presentations are typically followed by a Q&A session with the judging panel. 

Prizes and Awards: Cash prizes and in-kind support are awarded to winners in each track. Additional prizes may be given for specific categories, such as audience choice or impact awards. These rules ensure that the competition remains a fair and valuable experience for participants, providing them with the resources and exposure needed to advance their entrepreneurial ventures. Specific details may vary each year, so participants are encouraged to review the official guidelines for the current competition.