Harvard innovation lab
 | |
| Industry | Education |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Allston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
Gordon Jones (Managing Director) Jodi Goldstein (Director) Joseph Lassiter (Faculty Chair) |
| Website |
http: |
The Harvard innovation lab (i-lab) is a new initiative fostering team-based and entrepreneurial activities among Harvard students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and members of the Allston and Greater Boston community.[1] The i-lab encourages entrepreneurship and innovation across the University, bringing together many cross-curricular interests, including students from Harvard Business School, Harvard College, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Harvard School of Public Health.
Administration
Gordon Jones was named the first Managing Director of the Harvard innovation lab in 2011.[2] Jodi Goldstein is the Director of the i-lab and Professor Joe Lassiter is the Faculty Chairperson. The i-lab has approximately 10 administrative and support staff members.
Facilities
The i-lab is headquartered at 125 Western Avenue, Allston, MA 02163 on the first floor of originally was the WGBH-TV public television station headquarters. The i-lab occupies over 30,000 square feet of space that is divided into three areas: the lobby area which has a cafe and flexible seating and is open to the public, a multi-media presentation and lecture hall used to host RSVP events and a flex-space open area for registered i-lab residents.
The i-lab facilities are designed to foster entrepreneurship and team-based learning so there are lots of open spaces, 20+ reservable conference rooms, a well-stocked kitchen, and even a conference room with a treadmill to exercise on while on the computer or talking with peers.
Resident Ventures
Notable long term residents of the i-lab include:
- Bounce Imaging - One of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012
- ExtensionEngine - Custom software solutions providers and alumni mentors
- Quorum - Data-driven online legislative platform
- QuikForce - On-demand professional moving service
- tradr - Social mobile platform for buying and selling used and local goods
Former long term residents include:
- Vaxess Technologies Developing thermo-stable vaccines to increase access around the world
- RallyPoint - Professional networking for the military community
- Philo - Live TV for college campuses
- Six Foods - Food made from insects
Challenges
The i-lab hosts several competitions open to students across the university ("Challenges.") The Challenges are similar to traditional business plan competitions where teams submit proposals, give presentations and winners are selected by a panel of judges. There are cash and in-kind prizes awarded to Challenge winners. Past or current Challenges at the i-lab include:
- President's Challenge. The President’s Challenge is designed to help students develop and execute solutions to complex systemic problems by attacking and addressing truly important issues facing the world today. It demonstrates the University’s commitment to using the i-lab as a vehicle for bringing individuals together in cross-school initiatives and fostering a Harvard-wide entrepreneurial community. The 2012 President's Challenge semi-finalists[3] included teams such as Vaxess Technologies, which is working on vaccine transportation;
- Deans' Cultural Entrepreneurship Challenge. The Deans’ Cultural Entrepreneurship Challenge calls upon visionary and entrepreneurial students to develop solutions for expanding the role of the arts in society and supporting arts and artists in a sustainable manner.
- Deans' Health and Life Sciences Challenge. The Deans’ Health and Life Sciences Challenge encourages students from across the University to find entrepreneurial solutions to the task of delivering affordable health.
News
- "Hi" to the Harvard Innovation Lab Harvard Magazine, November 18, 2011
- A Tour Of Harvard's Innovation Lab WGBH
- Vaccine Delivery System Wins President's Challenge Grand Prize, Harvard Magazine, June 6, 2012
- Off to a torrid start, Harvard i-lab marks its first year, Boston Globe, November 12, 2012
- Harvard's i-lab could buoy the entire region, Boston.com, November 24, 2012