Reimagining what’s achievable

Assisting mothers in safeguarding their bodies during childbirth, rethinking how hydrogen can be transported securely and affordably, and utilizing AI and robotics to revolutionize the age-old technique of hair braiding are among the remarkable winning ventures of the 2025 Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge.

“In an era where so much remains uncertain, the potential to redefine what’s achievable serves not only as a platform for your own successes, but also as a contribution to our community, our nation, and our globe,” stated President Alan Garber. “Your eagerness to explore ideas, take risks, and forge new avenues to excellence reminds all of us about the strength of knowledge, and the significance and necessity of institutions like Harvard.”

The President’s Innovation Challenge is an annual contest for Harvard scholars and select alumni and affiliates pursuing projects that are altering the landscape in their sectors. During the awards ceremony on Wednesday at Klarman Hall, finalists of the President’s Innovation Challenge presented their projects to a worldwide audience exceeding 2,000 live and virtual participants. The winners were awarded a portion of $517,000 in non-dilutive funding, made possible through a donation from the Bertarelli Foundation, co-founded by Ernesto Bertarelli, M.B.A. ’93.

“Every year, the Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge highlights the extraordinary ingenuity and remarkable determination of students from all over the University,” remarked Bertarelli. “It has been a tremendous privilege to support these founders at the early stages of their projects and witness how they go on to positively influence society.”

“Your eagerness to explore ideas, take risks, and forge new avenues to excellence reminds all of us about the strength of knowledge, and the significance and necessity of institutions like Harvard.”

President Alan Garber

$75,000 grant recipients

Gurus Inc. (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health): Offering vulnerable populations with housing, education, mentorship, and support services.

Halo Braid (Harvard Business School, Harvard College, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences): Creating an AI-driven robotic hair braider that reduces braiding time from hours to mere minutes, empowering hairstylists to double their business capacity.

PeriPeach (Harvard Medical School): Engineering a medical device designed to prevent severe tears during childbirth.

Regatta Bio (Harvard Medical School): Advancing cellular therapies aimed at restoring immune tolerance and preventing diseases related to the immune system.

The Paal (Harvard Kennedy School): Enhancing financial results for smallholder livestock farmers in India.

“Advocacy and awareness has always been at the core of PeriPeach, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone here today,” said Tess Kim, founder of PeriPeach, upon receiving the $75,000 award. “This is for all the women who have endured severe tears and for all the women who will not have to suffer.”

$25,000 grant recipients

Adaptive Reader (Harvard College): Redefining books so that every learner can engage with challenging content, utilizing AI to tailor languages and reading levels.

Brain Exercise Initiative (Harvard Law School): Aiming to prevent memory decline through cognitively stimulating activities.

HydroHaul (Harvard Business School): Creating a safer, more reliable, and economical method for transporting hydrogen using a proxy carrier molecule.

Modulate Bio (Harvard Business School): Investigating therapies for neurological disorders, including Essential Tremor, epilepsy, and anxiety.

Radiate Biosciences (Harvard Medical School): Developing a novel colorectal cancer screening approach through a blood test that achieves colonoscopy-level accuracy.

Ingenuity award recipients

AIRQUA (Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences): Revolutionizing flood relief with air-generated water technology, providing clean, safe water to families in urgent need during crises.

Pythia Diagnostics (Harvard College, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences): Creating a wearable device capable of predicting epileptic seizures by analyzing chemicals released by the skin.

SAMI+ (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health): Equipping health professionals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with AI-enabled handheld ultrasounds, improving prenatal care.

SpiroSniff (Harvard College, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences): Developing an affordable breathalyzer for early lung cancer detection, utilizing sensors and AI for quick, non-invasive, accessible screening.

Wyndergy (Harvard Extension School): Utilizing wind energy to extend the range of electric vehicles and alleviate range anxiety.

“Today is one of our favorite days of the year,” remarked Becca Xiong, managing director of programs and engagement at the Harvard Innovation Labs. “We get to honor audacious ideas, real-world impact, and the extraordinary individuals behind both. It takes vision, bravery, and substantial effort to reach this level — and even more to bring that vision to fruition.”

To discover more about the President’s Innovation Challenge finalists and winners, and to view a recording of the May 7 awards ceremony, visit the Harvard Innovation Labs website.