‘Now is the time’: Harvard students launch Boston Square Ventures to back student entrepreneurs

# Harvard Students Launch Boston Square Ventures to Help Student Founders Access Capital and AI Resources

Two South Asian American students at Harvard University have launched Boston Square Ventures, a founder-support initiative designed to help student entrepreneurs overcome barriers to venture capital, computing resources, mentorship and professional networks.

Founded by Soneesh Kothagundla and Hadi Abdul, the platform aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform early-stage ideas into viable businesses. The initiative’s first cohort is accepting applications, with the program scheduled to begin on October 15.

Participants will receive access to $100,000 in computing credits, introductions to venture capital investors, mentorship, weekly progress check-ins, pitch preparation and opportunities to present their companies at Demo Day. The first Demo Day is scheduled for November 20, with subsequent events planned every six weeks.

The founders said the idea emerged from a recurring problem in the student startup ecosystem: promising entrepreneurs often have the technical skills and motivation to build companies but lack access to the people and resources needed to move forward.

Abdul told The American Bazaar that many aspiring founders want to develop products that address real-world problems but struggle to connect with potential customers, investors and experienced industry professionals.

He described a conversation with a person working in public policy in North Carolina who had developed a product but lacked the connections needed to reach prospective users. For Abdul, the example illustrated how a shortage of networks can hold back otherwise promising ideas.

Kothagundla identified computing costs and fundraising access as additional challenges for first-time founders. He noted that venture capital fundraising often depends on warm introductions, which can be difficult for entrepreneurs who have not yet established relationships within the investment community.

Boston Square Ventures grew out of one such introduction. Abdul said Kothagundla approached him after meeting a venture capitalist at Link Ventures who was interested in connecting with Harvard students building startups. What began as a request for introductions eventually developed into a broader effort to support emerging founders.

The two students later met at Ten One Tea House and continued refining the concept at Harvard Innovation Labs, where they used whiteboards to map out the initiative and its potential structure.

The name Boston Square Ventures reflects the city’s network of well-known public squares and innovation hubs, including Harvard Square, Kendall Square, Kenmore Square, Porter Square and Central Square.

Beyond access to resources, the founders believe entrepreneurship can be an isolating experience, particularly for students attempting to build their first companies. Kothagundla emphasized the importance of having a committed co-founder who can offer support, sustain momentum and help turn ambitious ideas into practical plans.

The founders also want to challenge negative perceptions of student-led startups. In an email exchange with The American Bazaar, Abdul said early-stage products developed by young entrepreneurs are sometimes dismissed as low-quality work or “AI slop.” He argued that some founders need institutional support and guidance rather than skepticism about their initial efforts.

Kothagundla challenged the assumption that entrepreneurs must develop entirely unprecedented ideas to succeed. “Honestly in 2026, it’s not about novelty. It’s about the speed and distribution of your idea,” he said.

He pointed to Uber and Lyft as examples of companies operating in the same broad market, arguing that execution and the ability to reach customers can be just as important as developing a completely new concept.

Boston Square Ventures ultimately hopes to support one million founders. Although the initiative is starting in Boston, its founders say the program is open to applicants of any age, from any country and at any level of experience.

The organization describes its support model as ongoing, with the goal of helping founders continue developing their businesses until they secure funding. Its approach combines practical resources with investor access and regular guidance, allowing participants to work toward turning their ideas into operating ventures.

The initiative has already attracted early attention online. The founders said their first LinkedIn post about Boston Square Ventures generated approximately 50,000 impressions, helping introduce the program to a wider audience of aspiring entrepreneurs.

As the first cohort approaches, Kothagundla and Abdul hope to encourage more students to experiment with entrepreneurship rather than wait until they have extensive experience or established professional connections.

“I think everyone should be a founder. Now is the time,” Kothagundla said.

With its focus on capital access, computing resources and founder networks, Boston Square Ventures is positioning itself as a platform for students and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking practical support to move from ideas to execution.