Cohort dates are listed on this page.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Learn. Build. Compete.
8 weeks with Harvard student mentors. Learn how AI models actually work, build a real product with ChatGPT, Claude and Lovable, then pitch it to the mentor panel for a USD 500 winner pool.
Grades 8–12
Global
Cohort dates are listed on this page.
> describe what you want to build:
an AI that turns grandma's recipes into step-by-step videos
> building… your move.
Real projects start exactly like this. One sentence.
You don't need to arrive with a finished startup. You need eight weeks, one problem worth solving, and the willingness to build.
/01 Find Spot a real problem people actually care about.
Spot a real problem people actually care about.
/02 Imagine Design an AI-powered solution worth building.
Design an AI-powered solution worth building.
/03 Build Turn the idea into a working prototype or MVP.
Turn the idea into a working prototype or MVP.
/04 Test Test with real users and shape the business model around it.
Test with real users and shape the business model around it.
/05 Pitch Tell a sharp three-minute story and get written mentor feedback.
Tell a sharp three-minute story and get written mentor feedback.
From the semifinals to the Grand Finals.
Every student pitches live to Harvard student mentors, and the top ten advance.
A scheduled break. Finalists polish the product and the pitch, with optional mentor office hours.
Finalists pitch live to the mentor panel, answer questions, and awards are announced.
From a problem worth solving to a live pitch in front of Harvard student mentors. Move through the weeks to see what happens.
Understand what AI actually does, learn how founders spot opportunities, and identify problems around you.
A better way to organize homework
A smarter way to reduce food waste
A tool that makes studying less stressful
A way to help elderly people use technology
A fix for a problem inside your own school
A better experience for something millions already do
LOOK AROUND YOU
What annoys you?
What wastes people's time?
What isn't fair?
What could work better?
What do people keep complaining about?
That could be your startup.
Each tool is introduced in a live session and applied to the student's own product that same week. Students are free to use any tools that fit their project.
ChatGPT - Prompt design, structured outputs, research synthesis
Perplexity - Sourced research with citations
Gemini - Cross-checking answers and comparing model behavior
Claude - Long-document analysis, critique of their own work
Lovable - Turn a brief into a working web app
Base44 - Full-stack app building with built-in data and auth
Tool subscriptions are not included in the entry fee.