Harvard’s $699 Startup Bootcamp Offers AI Avatars of Its Instructors

Harvard Business School is expanding access to its expertise through an affordable online program that pairs live instruction with AI-generated avatars of its faculty. The eight-week HBS Foundry bootcamp costs $699 and is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs.The standout feature is the use of AI avatars created by the startup HeyGen. These digital versions of Harvard instructors provide individualized feedback during practice pitches, sales conversations, and simulated board meetings. Participants still attend weekly live sessions with real instructors, but the avatars handle much of the on-demand practice and critique.How the Program WorksHBS Foundry aims to help founders move from early ideas toward funding-ready pitches. Students can rehearse presentations and high-stakes conversations with AI versions of faculty members who have real-world experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.One of the featured avatars is based on Jeff Bussgang, co-founder of Flybridge Capital and a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School. A New York Times reporter tested the system by pitching an “Uber for bananas” concept to the AI version of Bussgang. Both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart were unimpressed, though the avatar was noted for maintaining a somewhat frozen smile during the interaction.Project director Katharina Rings explained that the team initially planned something closer to a traditional chatbot. After a trial version, participants requested a more guided, interactive experience. That feedback led to the adoption of realistic video avatars that can hold conversations and deliver structured critiques.Designed to Be ToughThe AI agents are intentionally programmed to be rigorous. According to program leaders, the system is trained to avoid the overly agreeable responses common in many generative AI tools. Faculty involved in the project wanted the feedback to reflect the demanding standards of a Harvard Business School classroom.As a result, the avatars rarely approve ideas on the first attempt and are designed to push back with pointed questions and challenges. This approach is meant to prepare founders for the scrutiny they will face from actual investors and board members.Student ResponseEarly participants have generally responded positively. Many already use AI tools for advice and found the Harvard versions more tailored to entrepreneurial needs. One founder and Ph.D. student noted the value of having the platform available at any time, given the unpredictable schedules of people building companies while studying or working.Bussgang himself has acknowledged that his digital copy can feel “a little creepy,” but he has also said that students appreciate the tool.Broader AmbitionsHarvard Business School’s traditional MBA program is highly selective and limited in size. Foundry represents an effort to extend the school’s reach to a much larger audience of founders across the United States. The program is being offered through university entrepreneurship centers in all 50 states, with more than 100 institutions participating in early testing.By combining affordable pricing, live instruction, and scalable AI feedback, HBS is testing a hybrid model that could influence how elite business education is delivered in the future.Context in AI and EducationThe use of AI avatars in education continues to grow as institutions explore ways to personalize learning at scale. Harvard’s approach stands out because it ties the technology directly to the expertise and teaching styles of specific faculty members rather than relying on generic AI systems.Critics of AI in education often raise concerns about reduced human interaction and the limitations of simulated feedback. Supporters argue that tools like these can democratize access to high-quality mentorship that would otherwise be available only to a small number of students.HBS Foundry attempts to strike a balance by keeping real instructors involved while using AI to multiply opportunities for practice and individualized critique.Looking AheadThe program is still in its early stages, and its long-term impact will depend on outcomes for participants, the quality of the AI feedback over time, and how well the hybrid model scales. For now, it offers an intriguing experiment in making elements of Harvard’s entrepreneurial curriculum more widely available at a fraction of the cost of a traditional degree.