StartUp Partners
Startup Partners (SUP) brings together entrepreneurs facing challenges with HBS Alumni with real-world experience to “crack the case” and put the startup on an accelerated path for growth
Over the course of two hours, entrepreneurs and HBS Alum dig into the business, discuss and debate approaches, and emerge with a clear set of recommendations and actions.
Startup Advisors
StartUp Advisors

Startup Partners is a high-touch, low commitment program embraced by HBS alums just like you who want to bring their seasoned business expertise to emerging business leaders and startups.
During SUP’s two-hour sessions, you’ll meet other HBS alums, connect with an entrepreneur, and share your industry knowledge and business-building experience.
SUP advises startups from various industries, including Healthcare, Finance, Real Estate and related services, Consumer Products, GreenTech, and more.
As an Advisor, you’ll help entrepreneurs:
- Strengthen their business plans
- Consider strategies for raising capitals
- Focus their startup’s strategy & clarify customer pain points
- Gain insights on product-market fit and scaling business
- Refine their go to market plans
To be an Advisor, you must be:
- A current member of HBSAB or willing to become a member before your first Startup Partners’ session
- Available via Zoom from Noon to 2:00 pm ET Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
- Willing to do a bit of reading (usually a pitch deck) before your session
- Excited to collaborate with and learn from up to 5 other HBS Alumni and members of a startup
To sign-up to be an Advisor and be notified of upcoming Startup Partners sessions
just click the “Become an Advisor” button below.
Entrepreneurs / Startups

Startup Partners is a high-touch, low commitment program embraced by entrepreneurs from various industries who want to tap into the expertise and wisdom of a highly experienced but temporary Board of Directors.
Startup Partners is open to all startups, not just those with a Harvard connection!
SUP advises startups from various industries, including Healthcare, Finance, Real Estate and related services, Consumer Products, GreenTech, and more. If you are in the early development stage (i.e., you have or can pull together a pitch deck) and seeking to build a scalable business, Startup Partners wants to help you!
As an entrepreneur, you can get help to:
- Strengthen their business plans
- Consider strategies for raising capital*
- Focus their startup’s strategy & clarify customer pain points
- Gain insights on product-market fit and scaling business
- Refine their go to market plans
As an entrepreneur, when you sign-up for a SUP session, you commit to:
- Submit a pitch deck, or similar document, with your application
- Make yourself available via Zoom from Noon – 2:00 pm ET on a date that is mutually agreed upon by you and SUP
- Meet with your session Facilitator at least once before your session to share the 1-2 challenges you would like to discuss during the session, review the session agenda, and align on expectations for the two-hour session
- Send pre-read materials (e.g., updated pitch deck, other background info) to Jason Schrank at least 7 days before your session.
- Show up and stay engaged and curious throughout the two-hour session.
To sign-up for a Startup Partners session, just click the “Apply for a SUP Session” button below.
*Please note that SUP sessions are not for fundraising. We are happy to advise you on a fundraising strategy, but these sessions are not for pitches and direct fundraising.
Entrepreneur Testimonials
Startup Partners Alum Success

Former Startup Partner client, Joro, receives $2.5 million in seed financing
Congratulations to Joro, a March 2019 Startup Partner Alum, on their recent success! Joro is an app and community that helps people automatically track and improve their carbon footprints. We apply predictive analytics and AI to deliver tailored recommendations to reduce emissions, create a community to compare and share progress with others, and make it easy for people to buy carbon offsets and participate in the carbon economy. Read the full article here!
Meet Our Advisors

Paige Arnof-Fenn
MBA 1991
- Marketing, Branding & Communications
- Experience with P&G, Coke, Zipcar, Morgan Stanley, Mavens & Moguls

Austin Walters
MBA 2016
- Healthcare industry
- Experience working with SpringTide Partners, Medumo, FreMon Scientific, Innosight, Board Vitals

Christopher Calisi
TMG 1998
- Computer / Software industry
- Experience working with Oracle, Symantec, Overland, Cambridge Sound Management

Roberta Sydney
MBA 1983
- Real estate development, financial
services & IT - Experienced private
company board member
More Advisors

Chesley Chen
MBA 1983
- Healthcare, Life Sciences, Tech, Financial Services
- Scismic, Benefunder, Good Measures,
Warner Babcock, Gametime Media

Barbara Thornton
MBA 1995
- City Planning, Public Finance, Infrastructure, Local Government
- Experience in ecommerce, fashion, retail, footwear, nonprofits

David Harris
MBA 1984
- Retail, Direct Marketing, Enterprise Software, Education, Nonprofits
- Oracle, Symantec, Overland, Cambridge Sound Management

Robyn Bolton
MBA 2005
- CPG, Retail, Healthcare, Media & Cable, Innovation
- Experience working with P&G, BCG, Innosight, multiple corporate startups
More Advisors

Stephanie Crimmins
MBA 2000
- CPG, Restaurant, Retail, Private Equity, Financial Services
- Panera Bread, Fidelity Investments, Cocomama, The Dinner Daily

Ed Ellison
MBA 1991
- Education expert
- Experience working with Tufts University, St. Johns Country Day School, Roxbury Latin School, Milton Academy

Bern Bradstreet
MBA 1984
- Software, SaaS, AI, Finance, M&A, Construction
- BCB Consulting, ConstructSecure, Envox, Sonexis, Brooktrout Software

Charles Chassidy
MBA 1983
- Institutional Financial Services, Investments, Technology
- State Street, Cambridge Associates, Lightkeeper, AlphaPipe, Adjoint