Apply

The HarvardAE Accelerator powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures is open to all startups across a wide range of industries with a strong founding team that includes a Harvard alum.

How to apply

We will be accepting applications for the 2025 HarvardAE Accelerator through December 20, 2024.

In addition to the application, companies are asked to provide the following:

1. Latest Pitch Deck (required)

2. 1-Minute Team Introduction Video (required)): A brief 1-minute video introducing your team.

3. Product Demo Video (optional): You have the option to include a product demonstration video as part of your application.

   Virtual information sessions will be scheduled in October and November.

Eligibility

The accelerator is open to all for-profit Harvard alumni-founded ventures across a wide range of industries, both B2B and B2C, with a strong founding team.

CRITERIA

• Open to alumni-founded companies from any industry and all geographies.

• At least one founder who is an alumnus and working full-time at the company. 

• Companies must be beyond the idea stage, with some amount of time and resource already invested in creating and launching the company.

• Companies with an initial product and customers will be strongly preferred, but pre-revenue companies with longer product development requirements will be eligible.

• Companies must have a CEO and at least one other founder fluent in English. 

• Companies must commit to having the CEO participate in all workshops, plus at least one other senior team member, who can vary based on the module and workshop session.

• Applicants (all alumni founders) must be members of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs ($55/yr).

Selection Process

Applicants will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• IDEA: Is the idea original? Is it a new concept?

• SOLVING REAL PROBLEMS: Is the problem a real pain point? Is the solution compelling?

• MARKET OPPORTUNITY: Is the target market clear and accessible? Can the company achieve rapid growth in this market?

• COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: Does the company have a clear competitive advantage? Is there a barrier to other entrants?

• BUSINESS MODEL: Is the customer acquisition model clear and validated? Are revenue growth and capital efficiency attractive?

• TEAM: Is this the right team to execute the plan? Are there any superstars or any obvious gaps?

All semi-finalist applicants will be interviewed in-person (virtually).

TIMELINE 

• Application process:  October 7 thru December 20

• Semi-finalists selected: Mid-January

• Final Selection: Early February

• Program Launch:  Early March