Harvard Innovation Labs

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File:Harvard innovation lab building exterior.jpg

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== Harvard Innovation Labs ==

The Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) is a collaborative and entrepreneurial ecosystem at Harvard University designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the university's various schools and disciplines. The i-lab provides resources, mentorship, and a supportive community for students, alumni, and faculty to develop and launch innovative ventures.

History[edit | edit source]

The Harvard Innovation Labs were established in 2011 as part of Harvard University's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative was spearheaded by then-President Drew Gilpin Faust and supported by various deans and faculty members across the university. The i-lab was created to provide a centralized space where students from different schools could collaborate and access resources to bring their ideas to life.

Facilities[edit | edit source]

The i-lab is located on the Harvard Business School campus in Allston, Massachusetts. The facility includes co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces designed to support a wide range of activities, from brainstorming sessions to large-scale conferences. The i-lab also offers state-of-the-art technology and equipment to help teams develop their projects.

Programs and Resources[edit | edit source]

The Harvard Innovation Labs offer a variety of programs and resources to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey:

Venture Incubation Program (VIP): A semester-long program that provides teams with mentorship, workshops, and access to resources to help them develop their ventures.
President's Innovation Challenge: An annual competition that awards funding to the most promising ventures across different categories.
Workshops and Events: Regularly scheduled workshops, speaker series, and networking events designed to provide entrepreneurs with the skills and connections they need to succeed.
Mentorship: Access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts who provide guidance and support.

Notable Ventures[edit | edit source]

Several successful ventures have emerged from the Harvard Innovation Labs, including:

Mark43: A public safety software company that provides modern technology solutions for law enforcement agencies.
PillPack: An online pharmacy that simplifies medication management for patients, which was acquired by Amazon in 2018.
Bevi: A company that creates smart water dispensers to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.