In February 2022, the HBS New Venture Competition received 48 entries to the Social Enterprise Track, from student teams across Harvard University. After an extensive review and deliberation process with social enterprise leaders from across Harvard, the Social Enterprise Initiative just announced the 16 semifinalists in the Social Enterprise Track. These 16 teams will present virtually to a panel of expert judges—including philanthropists, impact investors, capacity building organizations, and social entrepreneurs—in March to determine the four finalists. Below you’ll find an overview of the competition and our 2022 semifinalists.
NEW VENTURE COMPETITION OVERVIEW
Hosted each year by the School’s Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship and the Social Enterprise Initiative, in partnership with HBS Alumni Clubs & Associations, the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition is open to all students and alumni interested in launching new business and social impact ventures.
The Social Enterprise Track of the Competition provides an opportunity for students to explore social entrepreneurship and test ideas for social innovation in a rigorous and supportive environment. Graduate students across Harvard University enter with new ventures that drive social change using nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid models. Through February and March student teams progress through several stages of judging, conveying their idea through executive summaries and presentations, and receiving valuable feedback from judges at every stage. The Social Enterprise Track brings together expert judges from the field to evaluate entries based on the idea, its potential for social value creation, and the likelihood of achieving success.
2022 SEMIFINALISTS: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRACK
Anise Health
Culturally-responsive mental health platform for minorities.
Nisha Desai, HBS 2021
Alice Zhang, HBS 2022
Candoor
Helping underserved candidates book free 1-on-1 conversations with professionals in dream roles.
Shelby Schrier, MBA 2022
Kristina Hu, MBA 2022
Wadood Daoud
CardioPhi
Offering AI-based analysis of cardiac arrhythmias to expedite clinical decision making.
Nishu Uppal, MBA 2022
Sajad Mousavi
CashEx
Building a zero-fee money transfer platform for African migrants.
Kingsley Ezeani, HKS
Scott Morgan
Earthquake
Helping you save with values by selecting sustainable companies & keeping them accountable.
Arnaud Pincet, MBA 2023
Avi Saraf, MBA 2023
Edmund Lee, MBA 2023
Feather Health
An AI driven digital platform to help people with chronic pain.
Kirsten Soong, MBA 2022
Daniel Navarro
Mariya Rivkin, MBA 2022
Flare Education
Professional training, paid workforce opportunities, and career development for high school students.
Ajit Vakharia, MBA 2023
Komo
A food delivery platform that combines sustainability with beautiful & reusable foodware.
Candice Choi, MBA 2023
Yaru Tan, MBA 2023
Memento
Data-driven activity subscription service for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Audrey Scagnelli, HKS
Kelsey Hillbrich, MBA 2020
Howard Greenman
Rehnuma
We coach school principals so that they can use resources more effectively and improve schools.
Jonathan Mendonca, HGSE
Subhankar Paul
Root
An internationally awarded education startup teaching math through games and stories.
Aashna Saraf, HGSE
Patricia Smiley
Roundtable
Reimagining government collaboration with a social/expert network for public servants.
Austin Boral, MBA 2023
Madeleine Smith, MBA 2023
Snappea
A network of community fridges bringing affordable produce to those facing nutrition insecurity.
Noah Lizerbram, MBA 2022
Maddie Gray, MBA 2022
Courtney Irwin, MBA 2022
Vaiven
Connecting borrowers in Latin America to the best loans available. Fast, simple, and free.
Nicolas Maffey, HKS
Ana Alvarez, HKS
WeUnlearn
Wulu, a friendly chatbot, enabling every adolescent to lead gender-equitable lives.
Saurabh Gupta, MBA 2023
Pallavi Kgare, HKS
Meghna Chaudhury
