The AI Lab for Startups | Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard

(fka “The Startup Foundry”)

The AI Lab powered by the D^3 Institute bridges the gap from research to startup by providing business and technology resources, support, and networks to a select group of academic research-based entrepreneurs (Harvard faculty, researchers, and postdocs) working on projects that have Artificial Intelligence and/or Machine Learning at the core of their innovation. These projects can come from research groups or labs at any Harvard school.

What Does The AI Lab Offer Researchers Who Want to Commercialize Their Innovation?

We’ll work closely with you to analyze and address the initial technical and market uncertainty and begin productizing your offering. At the same time, we’ll help you develop an entrepreneurial mindset and business skills that will set you up for success. Projects selected to participate receive a bespoke set of learning experiences, intensive mentorship (and we mean INTENSIVE!), digital experience design and data science advisory support, a supportive community environment, and curated connections to people who can move you forward at an accelerated pace. Previous projects have also had an HBS MBA Intern join their team for a semester paid for by the AI Lab.

For additional startup-building assistance, we work hand in hand with other Harvard entrepreneurship and innovation resources such as the Harvard iLab, the GRID, and the HBS Rock Center, as well as Boston-based innovation ecosystem organizations that provide programming, community, and non-dilutive funding for your startup.

Who is Eligible?

Projects selected for entry into the AI Lab should be early-stage and have at least one Harvard-affiliated academic or researcher playing a major role on the team. We define early-stage as ranging from early scientific insights that need to be reproduced, documented, and protected via IP efforts to already legally formed companies that have yet to raise their first dilutive capital. Most projects will be “pre-commercial,” but “post-scientific” (i.e. most science risk has been retired, even if meaningful technical risk remains). We also require that each project has at least one person who can regularly engage with the program activities.

Projects should be working on solving problems using AI/ML/digital business and based on translational research.

Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis.

If you are interested in applying please email the Lab Director, Debi Kleiman at dkleiman@hbs.edu to get access to the application.

How Do I Apply?

Complete the Application
Interview with the AI Lab Director
Materials Reviewed by the AI Lab Innovation Committee
If accepted to the next step, interview with the AI Lab Innovation Committee
Decision Notification & Next Steps

Start Your Application

To learn more about the AI Lab (fka The D^3 Startup Foundry) for startups and how it works please see this article about our first cohort, this article about TeamBirth, one of our teams in the Lab, or this article about Neru Health, another one of our teams in the program.

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply?

Any Harvard academic or researcher, associated with any research project or lab, at any school. At least one person on the team needs to have a Harvard affiliation.

How long is the program?

The program is not time bound, it is based on milestones. Some will go through the milestones faster than others – either because of what they are building or where they started. Typically, startups will stay in the program anywhere from 8-18 months. Exit events (when you will become an alumnus of the program) include milestones such as acceptance into a nationally-known accelerator program or raising a pre-seed or seed round of funding.

Can I also be working in another Harvard entrepreneurship or innovation program, such as the GRID, The HBS Rock Center, or Harvard Innovation Labs?

Yes, we encourage you to use as many Harvard resources as you need or want.

Is there funding available for my company in this program?

Not currently, but soon. We hope to have some funding grants available that will be awarded based on milestones reached.

Do I have to give up my job or appointment at Harvard to do this?

You do not. You can keep working in the Lab, but you will need to be sure you can make time to work on your venture as well. At some point, if your project is commercialized, you will need to leave your lab to work on the venture. However, you do not have to be CEO of the venture, a different leadership role such as CTO or CSO may make more sense for you. This is something we’ll work on in the program.

Does the AI Lab for Startups take equity from the new venture to participate in the program?

No, the AI Lab for Startups does not charge for our support and resources (we have amazing donors who fund this work) and does not take any equity. Any IP issues related to the company are subject to Harvard University’s IP Policy. Consult with Harvard’s Office of Technology Development if you have IP questions.

Are there specific industries or technologies that you are focused on supporting?

We are specifically looking for innovative projects that use AI/ML/digital business to solve important problems with a defensible moat. We have no specific industry focus.

Who runs the AI Lab?

The AI Lab “lives” at The Digital, Data, and Design Institute at Harvard (D^3). It is meant to serve any academic at Harvard who wants to commercialize an innovation, not just labs affiliated with the D^3 Institute.

Who should I ask if I have other questions?

Please email Debi Kleiman dkleiman@hbs.edu