​Harvard Startup Showcase 2026

​Pitch to Global Investors. Build Strategic Partnerships. Scale Internationally.

​The Harvard Startup Showcase Programme takes place as part of the Skills Live Show 2026 at Harvard University, an international event bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, academics, innovators, global leaders and business professionals from around the world.

​Taking place 13th–15th August 2026 at the Harvard University Science Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the dedicated Startup Founders Programme connects ambitious startups, scaleups and SMEs with investors, mentors and international business leaders.

​Selected founders will have opportunities across the three-day programme to pitch, learn, connect and showcase — from live investor pitching and mentorship to inspiring talks, international business panels, Gulf and Boston-focused sessions, the Scaleups Showcase and investor networking.

​Whether you're raising investment, seeking strategic partnerships, entering new markets or accelerating your international growth, the programme is designed to connect innovative businesses with the right people.

​📅 Startup Founders Programme

​Thursday, 13 August — Founder & Pitch Day

​📍 Classroom 104, Harvard University Science Center

​9:00 AM — Founder Registration
9:30 AM — IBW Accelerator Opening & Panel Introduction
10:00 AM — Mentorship: Building an International Brand in the Gulf — Aaron Shum
10:45 AM — Startup Pitching – Session 1
12:00 PM — Founder Workshop with Sameer Sortur
12:30 PM — Networking Break
1:00 PM — Startup Pitching – Session 2
3:30 PM — Closing & Founder Networking

​Pitch Format

​Each selected business will receive:

​✅ 3-minute live pitch
✅ 2-minute Q&A with the investor panel
✅ Live investor feedback and engagement
✅ Networking with founders, investors and ecosystem partners
✅ Access to the wider Startup Founders Programme

​Individual pitching times will be allocated to selected founders.

​Click here to view full programme and pitching schedule

​Friday, 14 August — Inspiration, Innovation & Global Connections

​📍 Hall A, Harvard University Science Center

​11:00 AM–3:30 PM — Inspiring Talks & Keynote Sessions

​Hear from global leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators.

​3:30–4:10 PM — Special 40-Minute Session

​🌍 Gulf to Globe Session
🚀 Boston Innovation Session

​4:10–5:10 PM — Global Leadership & Innovation Panels

​Including Education & Lifelong Learning and Women Leading with Purpose.

​Saturday, 15 August — Showcase, Panels & Investor Networking

​📍 Hall A, Harvard University Science Center

​9:00 AM–12:00 PM — Inspiring Talks & Rapid-Fire Keynotes

​12:30–1:30 PM — Founder-Relevant Panels

• ​Leadership for Sustainable Growth

• ​From Setback to Comeback: Mental Health & Resilience

​2:30–4:15 PM — Inspiring Talks & Keynotes

​4:30–5:30 PM — SCALEUPS SHOWCASE

​One-hour Scaleups Showcase & Live Investor Pitches

​8:30–10:30 PM — Visionary Networking Reception (Optional ticketed event — US$80 per person)

​🌍 Who Should Apply?

​We welcome applications from:

• ​Startups & Scaleups

• ​Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

• ​AI & DeepTech companies

• ​Robotics

• ​HealthTech, MedTech & Biotech

• ​FinTech

• ​EdTech

• ​ClimateTech & CleanTech

• ​Tourism & Hospitality businesses

• ​Consumer brands

• ​Manufacturing & Industrial Innovation

• ​Social enterprises

• ​Women-led businesses

• ​University spinouts

• ​Founders seeking investment

• ​Businesses looking to expand internationally

​💼 Meet Our Investors

​Our investor network includes leaders connected to venture capital firms, family offices, investment networks and international business groups across the Middle East, Asia and USA.

​Featured Investors & Business Leaders

​Evelyn Ko
Brizan Ventures & EMeko
Dubai & Hong Kong

​Ven Thangaraj
Radiant Sage Ventures
Boston, MA

​Vineet C. Nambiar
Maverick Global Ventures
Director, International Business Week
Abu Dhabi & Qatar

​Esther Wong
Vice President, Hong Kong Middle East Chamber
CEO, Acestar Concept Ltd.
Co-Founder, EMeko International Limited, Dubai

​Sameer Sortur
Square Circle Ventures
Dubai, UAE

​Abdulla Al Naimi
Former Head of Investments, Qatar Science & Technology Park
Founder, Doha Business Consulting

​Pranav Sharma
Agna Venture Capital (DeepTech)
DIFC, UAE

​Shamsheer Hamza
Address Business Group
Family Business Investments

​Meraj
Founder, #65 Adventures
Tourism & Hospitality Investments

​Additional investors, family offices, business leaders and strategic partners may also participate.

​🚀 Why Join?

​This is more than a pitch opportunity.

​The Startup Founders Programme gives founders opportunities to:

• ​Pitch their business

• ​Connect with international investors and family offices

• ​Meet venture capital firms and business leaders

• ​Receive valuable investor feedback

• ​Access founder mentorship and workshops

• ​Build strategic partnerships

• ​Explore Middle East and GCC expansion opportunities

• ​Build Boston and US connections

• ​Meet international founders

• ​Participate in inspiring talks and business panels

• ​Increase their company's international visibility

​Pitch • Learn • Connect • Showcase

​Meet investors, global leaders and fellow founders, access mentorship, explore Gulf and Boston opportunities and showcase your business to an international audience.

​🥂 Visionary Networking Reception

​Founders can continue conversations and build relationships during the Visionary Networking Reception on Saturday evening.

​The reception provides an additional opportunity to connect with founders, investors, speakers and international business leaders in a more informal networking environment.

​Saturday, 15 August | 8:30–10:30 PM

​🎟️ Reception Ticket: US$80 per person

​📺 Optional Media Opportunities

​Take your visibility beyond the stage.

​Founders may enhance their participation through LOSD's international media platforms:

​🎤 LOSD TV Interview — $300
Share your entrepreneurial journey and business through a professionally hosted interview.

​🎙️ LOSD Podcast — $300
Tell your founder story, discuss your innovation and share your expertise.

​📰 Digital Magazine Feature — $200
Gain additional exposure through LOSD's digital media platforms.

​For optional media opportunities, contact admin@losd.co.uk.

​🎟️ Registration

​Startup Founder Application: FREE — Application Required

​Founder applications are reviewed to maintain a high-quality cohort of innovative startups, scaleups and SMEs.

​Places are limited and participation is subject to selection.

​📍 Venue

​Harvard University Science Center
1 Oxford St
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

​About Skills Live Show 2026

​The Startup Founders Programme forms part of the wider Skills Live Show 2026 at Harvard University, bringing together an international community of entrepreneurs, investors, academics, innovators, speakers and business leaders.

​Across the programme, participants can access inspiring talks, business and leadership panels, startup showcases, international networking and opportunities for collaboration.

​Startup founders are strongly encouraged to participate in the wider Skills Live Show programme to maximise networking, visibility and international business development opportunities.

​Hosted By

​London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD)

​LOSD is a UK-based organisation focused on skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, international collaboration and creating platforms that connect individuals and organisations across global communities.

​One Event. Three Days. Global Opportunities.

​Pitch • Learn • Connect • Showcase