We’re on a mission to change the world.

Over the next two years, Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, through CWE, is taking the lead in bringing together a collaborative network that advocates, builds community, and provides opportunities for alumnae entrepreneurs and innovators.

Why there’s a need

HarvardAE is committed to supporting all alumni and crafting opportunities across the entrepreneurial landscape. The hurdles are complex for everyone. However, women face unique challenges that their male counterparts typically do not encounter. Our focus on alumnae is a start to addressing the disparities, bridging the gaps that disproportionately affect women founders, and facilitating their path to success.

Our approach is to provide women entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to thrive in today’s competitive market through offering a variety of programs, including:

  •  Startup Bootcamp for Women - An immersive, ten-week program to help aspiring and early-stage women founders launch and scale their startups. This program is open to all aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs. Starts October 1.

    Participants will benefit from:

    ·      Self-Paced Curriculum: Pre-recorded learning sessions covering a wide range of topics key to building a startup

    ·      Expert-Led Workshops: Sessions led by industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

    ·      Peer Mentoring: Mentor-facilitated sessions providing guidance and support.

    ·      Networking Opportunities: Events and activities designed to foster connections among participants, mentors, and potential investors.

    ·      Pitch Feedback: A culminating event where participants present their business ideas for feedback.

    ·      Program Platform: A program-specific online community platform where participants can access course materials, participate in Slack discussions, connect, share resources, and continue engaging between meetings.

  • FoundHERs Circles - An 8-week peer-to-peer program designed to create a supportive community of women entrepreneurs to share experiences, challenges, and successes. This program is exclusively for alumnae members and will include:

    Peer Groups: Small groups of 8 women entrepreneurs matched based on business stage and goals. These groups will meet regularly to discuss challenges, share advice, and hold each other accountable.

    Facilitated Sessions: Facilitators will lead discussions on relevant topics, helping to ensure productive and meaningful conversations. Each participant takes a turn to bring a Case for issue-processing by the group.

    Program Platform: An online community platform where participants can connect, share resources, and continue discussions between meetings.

     

  • Local Councils for Women Entrepreneurs - Establishing Local Councils is designed to provide support and community and expand our reach and impact in key regions. Led by alumnae for alumnae entrepreneurs, Councils offer:

    Local Programming: Offer workshops, seminars, and networking events tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs in the region. Open to all women entrepreneurs.

    Mentoring: Offer mentor matching for alumnae who best fit their needs, industry, and business stage.

    Community Building: Foster a sense of community among women entrepreneurs in the region, providing opportunities for collaboration and support.

    Resource Center: A virtual resource center where alumnae can access information, tools, and support.

  • Access to Capital - With only 2% of venture funding going to women founders, it is clear that there is a need to focus on giving access to capital.

    Investor Network: The Investor Network aims to connect women entrepreneurs with potential investors to help them secure the funding needed to grow their businesses. This program is for alumnae entrepreneurs and will offer:

    ·    Introductions: Facilitating introductions between women entrepreneurs and a network of angel investors, venture capitalists, and other funding sources.

    ·      Pitch Events: Regular events where women entrepreneurs can present their businesses to potential investors.

  • Virtual Community Platform: MyHAE - An online community for alumnae entrepreneurs to connect, share resources, and support each other, the community will offer:

    Community Moderator: A dedicated moderator to facilitate discussions, manage content, and ensure a supportive environment.

    Virtual Events: Regular webinars, Q&A sessions, and networking events hosted on the platform.

     

  • Annual Summit - A yearly, in-person event that gathers all CWE participants, sponsors, and supporters for networking, workshops, and inspirational talks.

Join us in our mission to change the world: cwe@harvardae.org