Harvard Innovation Labs
Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) is Harvard University's innovation hub in Boston. It supports student ventures from all 13 Harvard schools with workspace, advisors, workshops and non-dilutive prize funding through the President's Innovation Challenge. Alumni ventures can join the Launch Lab X accelerator, and life-science ventures can use the Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab. Eligibility requires a current Harvard student or alumnus as a founder.
At a glance
Harvard Innovation Labs key facts
- Equity
- No equity
- Deal terms
- i-lab takes no equity. Funding comes as non-dilutive prizes, for example through the President's Innovation Challenge. No program named 'Rock Accelerator' could be found on the official site, so no terms are recorded for it.
- Duration
- Academic year (student venture program); Launch Lab X runs about one year
- Format
- Hybrid
- Headquarters
- Boston, United States
- Cohort locations
- Boston, United States
- Stage
- idea, pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- general, climate, health, biotech, impact
- Application cycle
- Annual and semester intakes for student ventures; Launch Lab X annual
- Next deadline
- December 8, 2026
Verified November 4, 2026 against the sources below. Terms change; confirm on the official site before applying.
Timing
The President's Innovation Challenge 2027 student application deadline is Dec 8, per the i-lab homepage; the year is inferred as 2026. Launch Lab X 2026-27 applications closed May 12, 2026, and the 26-startup cohort was announced Oct 15, 2026. The Climate Circle Accelerator's final deadline was June 24, 2026. A 'Rock Accelerator' was not found under that name.
See all upcoming accelerator deadlines
Notable alumni
- WHOOP
- Lightmatter
- Evisort
- Mark43
- RapidSOS
Sources
- innovationlabs.harvard.edu
- innovationlabs.harvard.edu/about/faq
- apply.innovationlabs.harvard.edu/prog/launch_lab_x_alumni_accelerator/
- innovationlabs.harvard.edu/articles/2024-venture-accomplishments
- innovationlabs.harvard.edu/articles/collaboration-fuels-innovation-harvard-i-lab-alumni-team-up-to-improve-public-safety
FAQ
Applying to Harvard Innovation Labs
- How much does Harvard Innovation Labs invest?
- Harvard Innovation Labs's standard deal: i-lab takes no equity. Funding comes as non-dilutive prizes, for example through the President's Innovation Challenge. No program named 'Rock Accelerator' could be found on the official site, so no terms are recorded for it.
- How much equity does Harvard Innovation Labs take?
- Harvard Innovation Labs takes no equity.
- When is the Harvard Innovation Labs application deadline?
- The next published deadline is December 8, 2026. Application cycle: Annual and semester intakes for student ventures; Launch Lab X annual. The President's Innovation Challenge 2027 student application deadline is Dec 8, per the i-lab homepage; the year is inferred as 2026. Launch Lab X 2026-27 applications closed May 12, 2026, and the 26-startup cohort was announced Oct 15, 2026. The Climate Circle Accelerator's final deadline was June 24, 2026. A 'Rock Accelerator' was not found under that name.
- Where is Harvard Innovation Labs based?
- Harvard Innovation Labs is headquartered in Boston, United States. The program runs hybrid.
Preparing answers? Our accelerator application tips cover what reviewers look for.
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