2026 HBS Alumni European Venture Competition
Innovation Has No Borders. The 2026 HBS Alumni European Venture Competition is Here.
The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Continues. While the global HBS Alumni New Venture Competition takes a pause, Europe is moving forward.
The HBS Alumni Angels of Europe, alongside the HBS Clubs of France, the UK, and Germany, are proud to announce the 2026 HBS Alumni European Venture Competition.
We believe that the HBS European ecosystem is one of the most vibrant in the world. This year, we are running an independent regional competition designed to spotlight, mentor, and accelerate the best ventures from our alumni community.
Why Apply?
Even without a global finale this year, the value for European founders is stronger than ever:
Top-Tier Mentorship: Finalists receive practice pitch coaching from Bain & Company partners.
VC Feedback: Get early feedback and judging from prominent VCs and HBS Angels (past judges include partners from Grazia Equity, 109 Capital, CDPQ, and more).
Visibility: Winner featured in HBS Alumni Club stories and newsletters across Europe.
Community: Connect with fellow innovators across the region.
Key Dates
Applications Open: November 24, 2025
Early Feedback Submission Deadline: January 11, 2026 (Submit by this date to receive written feedback from judges before the final deadline)
Participant Info Session (Virtual): January 20, 2026 (to be confirmed)
Final Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Finalists Announced: February 14, 2026
European Finale (Paris): March 17, 2026
Eligibility
Open to all HBS Alumni based in Europe with early-stage ventures.
Application Rules
Rules to apply to HBS Alumni European Venture Competition 2026
The venture must have an HBS alumnus as a founder. The alum must be involved in the day-to-day operations in a leadership role and must be represented at all events and be the pitch lead. View the full list of programs that grant alumni status.
Applicant must be a first or second-time founder/co-founder only.
Must have business model validation, traction, revenue, or customer commitments. Geared towards high growth ventures with viable business models that allow it to efficiently scale with the potential for significant financial returns.
Ventures must have less than $2 million USD in revenue.
Outside funding must be less than $2.5M total debt/invested equity capital. This amount includes money received through grants, awards, and other funding sources. Teams must meet both criteria. Invested capital is defined as funding appearing on the plan's balance sheet at the time of submission, which is no later than January 31, 2026 at 12pm noon CET (Paris time). Teams will disclose any prior funding received at the time of registration.
HBS Investors are not eligible to submit companies unless they are identified as a founder and have an active daily leadership role in the company.
Investment funds, acquisitions, and consulting services are not deemed "new ventures" and are not eligible.
No subsidiary companies are permitted to apply.
All applications/pitches must be submitted in English.
Cash and in-kind prizes are awarded solely to participating companies and not to any grant-funding institutions.
Previous Regional Winners of aNVC cannot reapply to the New Venture Competition.
The HBS Alumni Clubs reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates the rules or spirit of the competition. The decision of the HBS Alumni Clubs is final and binding.
Contact
Sarah Assayag - sassayag@mba2015.hbs.edu