An annual student business plan contest with prizes totalling $225,000

 

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.

Not sure 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 details for Business Track and Social Enterprise Track.

Focus
What is the primary focus of your idea – economic or social returns? The 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, where do you want feedback, and which judges do you want to make connections with? See more on Business Track judging and Social Enterprise Track judging.

Close
$
3
m.
Cash and in-kind prizes since inception
2,200
Student teams since 1997
15,000
Jobs generated by new ventures

Calendar 

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who is eligible for the student competition?

Business Track: Participating teams require at least one Harvard Business School MBA student who plays a primary role in the business. The HBS student should be a part of the founding team and a significant equity holder, if equity has been distributed.

There is a $1,500,000 limit in seed capital raised and a $2,000,000 limit in revenue generated. Please view the eligibility page for more information.

Social Enterprise Track: Teams must meet the two following criteria: 1) include at least one student who meets one of the criteria listed on our eligibility page; 2) be composed of a majority of Harvard University graduate students, and these members must have meaningful roles in the venture and the Competition presentation.

Who are the judges? What are their backgrounds?

Business track judges will be drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including funders, founders, industry experts and executives, lawyers, , and other specialists deemed appropriate to understand the commercial viability of a business idea.

Social Enterprise track judges will be drawn from a variety of backgrounds representing a range of industries, including those from funding organizations (including impact investors, philanthropists, and venture philanthropists), capacity building organizations, and social entrepreneurs.

Resources 

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

Alumni Competition 

Ten regional competitions hosted by alumni NVC lead clubs around the world. The winning team from each regional competition advances for a chance to win the $105,000 cash prize at the NVC Finale in April.

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