Harvard Business School (HBS) is venturing into a new era of digital education with the launch of HBS Foundry. This eight-week online entrepreneurship boot camp provides participants with access to AI clones of university professors, offering mentorship and guidance 24/7.
Digital Mentorship with a Human Face
Priced at $699, the program allows aspiring founders to utilize digital replicas to refine business ideas, practice investment pitches, and prepare for critical customer meetings. The platform has already been tested by more than 100 universities across 50 U.S. states, aiming to broaden access to Harvard’s expertise beyond the traditional campus boundaries.
According to Katharina Rings, director of HBS Foundry, adding the photo and identity of a real professor to the chatbot significantly increased user engagement. Users appear to trust AI systems more when they are grounded in the knowledge and perspectives of specific, recognizable academics.
The Value of Simulation and Human Connection
Participants like Dragana Savic of INIA Biosciences and Pranav Sultania from Boston University highlight that the platform offers a safe environment for practice before facing real-world business scenarios. Despite the focus on AI, program leads observe that entrepreneurs still crave human connection, frequently using online forums to interact with peers.
"My students love it," says Jeff Bussgang, a senior lecturer at Harvard whose digital twin is part of the innovative program.
HBS Foundry combines AI-driven coaching with educational materials and live sessions featuring investors and founders, demonstrating how technology can bridge the gap in access to high-quality entrepreneurial education.
