The Harvard Innovation Labs is welcoming more than 2,000 student members for the 2026 spring semester. Additionally, the university innovation center has selected more than 150 student-led ventures as semifinalists for the 2026 Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge, Harvard University’s flagship venture competition.
“So many talented founders in the President’s Innovation Challenge are leveraging AI to drive real-world impact across industries including digital health, e-commerce, elementary education, and cybersecurity,” said Jill Kravetz, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Executive Director of the Harvard Innovation Labs. “I love how the President’s Innovation Challenge encourages Harvard founders to share their ventures with the world and accelerate their progress. It’s a privilege to support these entrepreneurs as they develop and showcase their work.”
The founders of the semifinalist ventures represent all 13 Harvard schools, and are competing in one of five President’s Innovation Challenge tracks:
- Health Care + Life Sciences for student-led ventures in biotech and therapeutics, medical devices, and digital health/health IT.
- Open for student-led B2B and B2C ventures that prioritize revenue potential.
- Social Impact for student ventures that define success through measurable societal impact and a clear path to scale.
- Alumni + Affiliates Health Care + Life Sciences for ventures in Launch Lab X, the Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab Longwood, or the Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab that are improving the efficacy of health care services, including therapeutics, devices, and digital health.
- Alumni + Affiliates Open for commercial enterprises in Launch Lab X, the Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab Longwood, or the Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab that sell to businesses or consumers.
On May 6, finalists will pitch their ventures at the President’s Innovation Challenge Awards Ceremony. Winners will receive a share of more than $500,000 in prizes, funded entirely by a generous gift from the Bertarelli Foundation.