Harvard Grid
Harvard Grid is an innovation hub that accelerates the commercialization of deep-tech research emerging from Harvard's labs. It connects faculty and student founders with venture creation programs, mentorship, and investor networks through initiatives like the Applied AI Incubator and Grid Accelerator. The hub's programming spans quantum technology, climate ventures, and biomedical devices, providing structured pathways from research to startup.
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI Agents
Funding
Founders
Product
Problem
Early-stage deep-tech researchers often lack the entrepreneurial infrastructure to transform scientific breakthroughs into viable companies. Navigating technology transfer, customer discovery, fundraising, and team building requires specialized skills and networks that are rarely accessible within academic laboratories, causing promising innovations to stall before reaching the market.
Solution
Harvard Grid provides a structured venture-creation ecosystem for the university's research community, offering mentorship, educational programs, and direct connections to investors. It runs initiative-based support tracks for researchers, including the Grid Accelerator, Applied AI Incubator (A2I2), I-Corps for customer discovery, and an Innovation Internship program that places students in venture-building roles. The hub hosts events and showcases faculty-led projects—spanning quantum computing, climate technology, and medical devices—to match promising research with commercial partners and capital.
Target Audience
Primary users are Harvard faculty, researchers, and students developing deep-tech innovations who seek entrepreneurial training, funding access, and commercialization support.
Features
- Applied AI Incubator (A2I2) with dedicated application cycles and cohort-based support for AI-focused ventures
- Grid Accelerator program providing targeted resources and validation pathways for lab-originated technologies
- New England I-Corps Spark Program with sector-specific cohorts, including a quantum technology track
- Themed venture events such as "Launching Climate Ventures" held in collaboration with other Harvard schools
- TechTrek and Meet the VCs events that directly connect researchers with investor networks
- Grid Fellowship and Innovation Internship programs to embed entrepreneurial talent within research teams