Allston Venture Fund

Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) stands out as a leading incubator and accelerator for startups, with a significant portfolio of impactful ventures. Notable investments include Manifold Bio, which raised $40 million to advance its biologics discovery platform, and Akouos, a gene therapy company acquired by Eli Lilly for over $600 million. Focusing on diverse industries such as biotechnology, edtech, and sustainability, i-lab supports ventures like BioDevek in medical devices and Earthbond in renewable energy. Geographically, their impact spans globally, benefiting startups from the U.S. to Vietnam. i-lab’s strategy centers on providing comprehensive support through programs like Launch Lab X GEO, offering resources for early-stage ventures to grow sustainably. The fund emphasizes collaboration, preferring to lead rounds and actively engaging in the growth journey of their startups. They typically offer pre-seed funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, focusing on high-potential, high-impact ventures. Key figures at i-lab include Jodi Goldstein, the Executive Director, who brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship and innovation. The team is based in Cambridge, MA, leveraging Harvard’s vast network and resources. For startups, approaching i-lab requires demonstrating innovative solutions with clear market potential. The fund values ventures that address significant challenges and show strong potential for scalability and impact.