New Venture Competition

A Launchpad for Your Venture

Check out the 2026 New Venture Competition through the official Press Release and our YouTube channel.

A student pitches at the finale of the 2025 New Venture Competition in Klarman Hall.
Video duration:1:23
A student pitches at the 2025 New Venture Competition Finale in Klarman Hall.

Rock Business Track

Ventures with economic returns that drive substantial market value.

Social Enterprise Track

Ventures that drive social change using nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid models.

  • $3.2M.
    Cash & in-kind prizes since inception
  • 2,985
    Student teams since 1997
  • 15,000
    Jobs generated by new ventures

Which Track is Right for You?

Unsure of whether your idea is right for business or social track? The decision is not cut-and-dry. Here are some helpful questions to ask as you are considering the right track for you.

Eligibility

Do I meet eligibility requirements for the track?

See eligibility details for Rock Business Track and Social Enterprise Track.

Focus

What is the primary focus of your idea – economic or social returns?

The Rock Business Track focuses on ventures whose economic returns drive substantial market value. Ideas may also have social impact, but social impact is not the focus of your decision making, market entry, or funding.

The Social Enterprise Track focuses on ventures that create social change, and can include nonprofit, for-profit and hybrid models. In recent years, approximately half of SE entries have been for-profit or hybrid. In all cases, ideas are evaluated for financial sustainability; and in for-profit plans, the focus is on social return while having economic returns.

Judging

How do you want to be evaluated, what kind of feedback do you want and which judges do you want to make connections with?

See more on Rock Business Track judging and Social Enterprise Track judging.


Winners & Success Stories

More Winners & Success Stories
  • Video duration:1:36

    2026 New Venture Competition Dubilier Grand Prize Winner, Rock Business Track: Serosafe

    Serosafe is a clinical stage medical technology startup developing medical devices that prevent pain and complications associated with post-operative surgical drains. Team: Goutam Gadiraju (MBA 2026) & Justin Broyles (MPH 2026).

  • Video duration:1:49

    2026 New Venture Competition Runner-Up, Rock Business Track: Lyv Health.

    Lyv Health is a platform that connects wellness businesses (such as med spas, health coaches, and wellness centers) to clinical services they currently cannot provide but for which they have customer demand — including blood testing, prescriptions, and peptides. Team: Andrea Corleto (MBA 2026) & Jennifer Arnold (MS/MBA 2026).

  • Video duration:1:29

    2026 New Venture Competition Sacerdote Grand Prize Winner, Social Enterprise Track: Revolv

    Revolv transforms organic waste into affordable feed and fertilizer that empowers farmers to grow more. Team: Biruh Demilew (MBA 2026) & Delila Kidanu.

  • Video duration:1:33

    2026 New Venture Competition Runner-Up, Social Enterprise Track: smartSTAT

    smartSTAT automates hospital code carts to reduce burnout, save costs, and improve patient safety. Team: Rohan Bajaj (MBA 2026).

  • Resources

    Across Harvard Business School and beyond, resources are available for you—regardless of track—as you consider and bring to life an idea for the New Venture Competition.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Find out about eligibility, judging, prizes, seed capital limitations & more.

  • Alumni New Venture Competition (Paused for 2026)

    Global competition hosted with six regional competitions around the world hosted by alumni New Venture Competition (NVC) lead clubs around the world. The winning team from each regional competition advances for a chance to win up to $105,000 cash prize at the NVC Finale in March.