In February 2025, the HBS New Venture Competition received 36 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 finalists. Below you’ll find an overview of the competition and our 2025 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.
The Harvard Business School New Venture Competition Finale will be held on Thursday, March 27, 6:00 - 7:00 pm at Klarman Auditorium. Register and learn more here.
2025 SEMIFINALISTS: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRACK
Aidra Health
Bridging gaps in medical equipment access by enabling sharing and redistribution through an asset-light model
Ejiro Maroh, MBA 2026
David Bunn, MBA 2026
Toritse David
Joshua Ivie
Tobi Onigbogi
CareCorgi
Supporting first-time family caregivers of adults aged 65 and older with an AI-powered platform
Hailey How, MBA 2025
Bobby Zhao, MDes 2025
Colorful Future
Building a more equitable economy by helping employees buy businesses from retiring owners
Christopher Egi, MBA 2026
Coord Health
Providing virtual patient support as an extension of existing women’s health practices
Christian Vosbikian, MBA 2025
Leora Sutton, MBA 2025
EcoLens
Reducing food waste & emissions with an AI-powered platform optimizing inventory for food processors
Safiyah Bharwani, MBA 2025
Emily Tench, MPA 2025
Kykloris
Upcycling seafood waste for sustainable biopolymers
Hande Ilhan, MBA 2026
April Keyes
Lexi
Breaking language barriers with AI-powered medical interpretation for over 30 million patients
Linh Pham, MDE 2025
Siddharth UR, MDE 2025
Jen Li, MBA 2025
Luke Fiorante, MDE 2026
Mass Healing
Expanding access to psychedelics through education, advocacy, and community-driven healing
CJ LoConte, MPA 2026
Jamie Morey
Graham Moore
MediSimplify
Advancing health equity with an AI assistant that streamlines patient communications
Risa Komatsu, MBA 2026
Stephen Freeman
Playlish
Engaging kids in Kazakhstan with an AI-driven simulation game that makes learning English fun
Assel Amangeldi, MEd 2025
Ranjitsinh Disale, MEd 2025
Luis Gaitan
Husain Rasheed
Remarcation
Fostering the autonomy of disabled users in public space through information justice
Hannah Wong, M.Arch. 2025
Jia Wen Goh
Samraj
Turning money management into an engaging adventure game for overwhelmed students
Shiva Velingker, MBA 2025
Sante
Revolutionizing public health and sanitation systems globally through technological innovation with social and economic impact
Barbara Regis, MBA 2026
Mirelle Pereira
Bruno Kunzler
Victoria Rentrop
The Paal
Enabling smallholder women farmers to harness the full potential of livestock farming
Manali Jain, MPP 2025
Shivam Johri
Zest Health
Streamlining STI testing for clinics and patients, improving access and clinic efficiency.
Darren Chin, MDE 2025
Akhil Dayal, MDE 2025
Ellinor, Waenerfjord, MBA 2024
Zyra
Empowering the U.S. hemp industry with end-to-end brokerage services for sustainable supply chain growth
Sara Kamprad, MBA 2025
Camilla Lopes, MBA 2025
