The Rock Center team knows about the world of startups. Incorporating real-world expertise with decades of academic excellence, the Center’s team is driving an effort that is changing the world of entrepreneurship.

Professor Julia Austin image

Professor Julia Austin

Professor Shikhar Ghosh's image

Professor Shikhar Ghosh

Elise Bates

Elise Bates, Senior Director of Rock and Foundry

Thara Pillai

Thara Pillai, Director

Emily Cronin

Emily Cronin, Associate Director

LAURIE BISHOP

LAURIE BISHOP, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Mary Rose St. Cyr

MARY ROSE SAINT-CYR, COMMUNITY MANAGER- ALUMNI PROGRAMS

Ben McLarey

Ben McLarey, Community Manager

Virginia Shannon

VIRGINIA SHANNON, SPECIAL PROJECTS

New Venture Competition

A year long entrepreneurial journey that culminates with a capstone event for students who have worked to develop new ventures while at HBS. All participants present live to top investors and entrepreneurs and receive invaluable feedback at each round of the Competition. $315,000 in cash plus in-kind prizes!

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Rock Accelerator

This innovative, immersive, and competitive yearlong program supports 20-25 Rock Summer Fellow teams with up to $1,500 in seed capital, matched mentors, and facilitated workshops as they race to Demo Day where teams pitch their ventures to investors, entrepreneurs, and their classmates.

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Rock 100 Initiative

Rock Center support for entrepreneurs extends far beyond graduation. The Rock 100 initiative brings together high impact alumni entrepreneurs with early-stage traction to connect, learn, and share their ideas and experiences. Join the network to participate in our global Entrepreneurs' Summit, regional Roundtables, and smaller forum groups (Rock Councils). Visit our Showcase to see the HBS entrepreneurs who are currently members of our Rock 100 community.

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Rock Summer Fellows

Rock Summer Fellows enables students to continue to explore their entrepreneurial path, both as founders and as those interested in joining early-stage startups, through a 10-week summer fellowship that provides not only financial support but a peer network and community for students.

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