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Economy

Harvard Business School launches AI-powered startup bootcamp with $699 price tag

Harvard Business School launched an eight-week online bootcamp for entrepreneurs that uses AI avatars of instructors to deliver individual feedback during practice pitches and board meetings.

Source: TechCrunch · August 23, 2026 at 2:45 AM · AI-assisted report

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Harvard Business School launches AI-powered startup bootcamp with $699 price tag
Photo: HBS1908 / CC BY-SA 3.0

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 AUGUST 2026 —

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Harvard Business School launches $699 Foundry bootcamp featuring AI instructor avatars

Market Impact

Harvard Business School (HBS) has introduced an eight‑week, $699 bootcamp for entrepreneurs called HBS Foundry, which incorporates AI‑generated avatars of its instructors to deliver real‑time feedback during practice pitches and board meetings. The program, aimed at expanding HBS’s reach beyond its traditional on‑campus offerings, uses avatars created by the startup HeyGen.

The Foundry program combines live weekly sessions with HBS faculty and AI‑driven coaching. According to HBS project director Katharina Rings, the initial concept for the AI component was a simple chatbot, but student feedback during a trial phase indicated a preference for a more guided, interactive experience. The avatars now provide structured critiques and suggestions, supplementing the live instruction.

A New York Times reporter, Sarah Kessler, tested the system by pitching an AI‑generated copy of Flybridge Capital co‑founder Jeff Bussgang. Both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart reportedly found her “Uber for bananas” idea unconvincing, though Kessler noted the virtual version displayed a noticeably frozen smile during the pitch. Bussgang acknowledged the digital copy was “a little creepy,” but added that “my students love it,” reflecting a generally positive reception among participants.

The bootcamp’s cost is lower than many comparable executive education programs, and HBS is offering a discount of up to $300 on tickets for a limited period. The discount is available for less than 48 hours, after which the full price will apply. Details on the exact discount structure and enrollment deadlines are not yet available.

Impact on the Malaysian market The introduction of AI‑augmented coaching in entrepreneurship education could influence the Malaysian startup ecosystem, where access to high‑quality mentorship remains uneven. If HBS’s model proves scalable, Malaysian universities and incubators may adopt similar AI tools to provide personalized feedback to a larger cohort of founders. This could reduce the cost barrier for advanced business training and accelerate the development of local ventures.

However, the extent to which Malaysian institutions will integrate such technology depends on local regulatory frameworks around AI and data privacy, which are still evolving.

Sector and company specifics The bootcamp is delivered by HBS Foundry, a program designed to accelerate early‑stage entrepreneurs. The AI component is supplied by HeyGen, a startup that specializes in creating realistic digital avatars. The partnership between HBS and HeyGen represents a convergence of academia and AI technology, positioning both entities as innovators in the education sector.

While the program’s primary focus is on entrepreneurial skill development, the use of AI avatars may also serve as a case study for other educational institutions considering similar integrations.

Outlook Harvard Business School’s adoption of AI avatars in the Foundry bootcamp signals a broader trend toward hybrid learning models that blend human expertise with machine‑generated feedback. If the program attracts a sizable cohort of participants, it could set a precedent for other business schools worldwide, including those in Malaysia, to explore AI‑enhanced curricula.

The success of the initiative will likely be measured by participant satisfaction, the quality of the feedback delivered by the avatars, and the subsequent performance of the startups that emerge from the program. Details on long‑term outcomes and scalability remain to be seen.

Related: Harvard Business School · Katharina Rings

Reporting based on TechCrunch. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.