Description

• Early Stage & Seed: Chapters primarily focus on seed and early-stage ventures.
• Growth Equity: Some chapters, such as the UK, also consider growth equity stages.
• Traction Preference: High preference is given to companies with validated business models, demonstrated by revenue, customer commitments, or significant traction. 
• Method: Founders typically apply through a chapter's local portal, such as Gust or Airtable.
• Affiliation: No Harvard affiliation is required for a company to apply or pitch.
• Fees: Some chapters charge a nominal administrative fee (e.g., $50) for applications. 

Eligibility

• Founder Profile: For most pitch nights, any founder may apply. Specific competitions (like the NVC or NY Pitch Summit) may require an HBS Alumnus/a founder with at least a 20% equity stake.
• Financial Limits: Some programs, like the NY Pitch Summit, limit eligibility to ventures with less than $3M in annual revenue and less than $2.5M in total raised capital.
• Sectors: Industry-agnostic, with strong representation in AI, Fintech, HealthTech, and Consumer Products. 

Process

1. Online Submission: Founders submit business plans and pitch decks via digital portals.
2. Screening: A committee reviews 10–50 applications per month, selecting 4–6 to present.
3. Pitch Night: Selected founders present to accredited investors, typically in a 5-to-10 minute timed pitch.
4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a "deal team" to conduct a 4-to-8 week evaluation.
5. Investment: Members make independent, individual decisions to commit capital. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

• Strategic Capital: Access to funding from a network that currently invests $3M–$4M annually per major chapter.
• Mentorship: Active guidance from experienced C-suite executives and venture capitalists.
• Network: Potential introductions to top-tier VC firms on the association's advisory boards.
• Operational Support: Advisory roles, board participation, and recruiting assistance from members.