HBS Rock Center Venture Capital Fellowship (Rock Venture Catalyst)

The Rock Venture Catalyst is HBS's competitive summer fellowship program enabling student founders to pursue ventures full-time without financial barriers or competing internship obligations. Named after pioneering venture capitalist Arthur Rock, the program has been redesigned to meet modern entrepreneurial demands. Fellows receive in-person Boston modules, faculty mentorship, expert coaching, investor access, and dedicated resources to validate ideas, build prototypes, and advance their ventures toward early-stage funding.

The Rock Venture Catalyst aims to support early-stage founders by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and funding necessary to pursue their ventures full-time, thereby fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial commitment and have a viable project idea. Securing a faculty sponsor is crucial.

Eligibility requires HBS student status, an active entrepreneurial project, a faculty sponsor, and a full-time summer commitment.

HBS students with an active entrepreneurial project or venture concept can apply. A faculty sponsor is required, and the selection process is competitive.

Participants benefit from funding, intensive in-person modules, dedicated resources, mentorship, investor pitch opportunities, and a peer network.

The program runs during the summer for approximately 10-12 weeks.

Previous cohorts have successfully produced prototypes, letters of intent, and secured early-stage funding.