2026 Pitch Competition Submissions

About

Each year, HIVE (Harvard GSE Innovation & Ventures in Education) hosts the HIVE Pitch Competition, inviting teams of students from across Harvard University to present innovative solutions to current problems in education. Past winners of the competition have included Socrative, a mobile student response system, FuelEd, a training program that equips teachers with the social and emotional competencies necessary to establish high-quality relationships in schools, and Room2learn, a platform and design consultancy that tailors school spaces to learning and teaching needs. A total of $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to winners of the annual pitch competition.

PITCH

Important Dates

  • This event will take place April 3, 2026 from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST.
  • Ventures who want to participate will be asked to submit a pitch deck by March 13, 2026 by 11:59 pm.
  • Finalists who will pitch on April 3, will be notified by March 23, 2026.
  • Need to be available for a dress rehearsal on March 25, 2026 between 3 - 4:30 p.m. (unless you have a class conflict).

Qualifying Criteria

  • At least one currently enrolled HGSE Student on the project.
  • Submit an application (see link above)
  • Be available to pitch on April 3, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. (finalist reception from 6:30 - 7 p.m.). 

Where to submit?

Please fill out the following survey. Note: please upload your pitch deck and be sure to review the section below on what to include. 

Recommended items to include

Problem

  • Clear pain point/social issue with data and motivation from the team to solve it

Solution

  • Clear articulation of product/service/problem
  • Solution keeps in mind negative externalities, especially related to access and equity for historically marginalized communities

Market

  • Who will you initially OR who have you served?
  • What plan do you have to scale/expand your customer base?
  • If reliant on donor support, are key long-term donors thought of, and are they realistic?

Team

  • Passion for the sector and expertise are brought to light
  • Cost and Revenues
    • Major costs and revenue streams are identified

General Presentation

  • Hooks the listener
  • Key points are clearly articulated (problem/solution)
  • Slides are clear, concise, and are not text-heavy

TIPS: Building an Effective Pitch Deck

View the recording of a HIVE X I-Lab Pitch Deck Workshop held in partnership with the Harvard i-Lab from previous years.