Digital Doubles: Harvard Launches Virtual Avatar Coaches for $699 Entrepreneur Bootcamp

Harvard Business School is turning to artificial intelligence avatars to expand its reach and scale student coaching. The institution is using synthetic video clones of real instructors to deliver personalized feedback to aspiring entrepreneurs enrolled in its online programs.

These digital instructors were built by video generation startup HeyGen and serve as core components of the eight-week, $699 HBS Foundry bootcamp. While the program still features weekly live sessions with human faculty members, students interact directly with synthetic video avatars during practice pitch reviews and simulated board meetings.

New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the platform firsthand by delivering a pitch to an automated replica of Jeff Bussgang, co-founder of Flybridge Capital and HBS faculty member. Kessler pitched a fake business idea described as an Uber for bananas. Neither the real Bussgang nor his digital twin were impressed by the concept, though Kessler noted that the virtual clone held a noticeably stiff, frozen smile throughout her presentation.

Project director Katharina Rings originally planned to build a simple text chatbot for the bootcamp. However, after testing early trial versions with users, students requested a more guided and human-like video interface. That student feedback pushed the team to partner with HeyGen to turn real professors into interactive video avatars.

While college students often voice sharp criticism regarding automated tools replacing traditional classroom learning, participants in the Foundry program responded positively to the interactive video setup. The real Bussgang admitted that watching a digital version of himself talk feels a little uncanny, but noted that students appreciate having on-demand access to virtual mentors.

Replacing static reading materials with interactive video clones allows educational institutions to scale individual coaching to thousands of remote students simultaneously. Instead of waiting days for an instructor to review a recorded video pitch, students receive instant feedback from automated systems tuned to mimic experienced venture capitalists.

This approach balances live human interaction with automated coaching tools. Students still get real face-time with faculty during weekly live sessions, but they get unlimited practice reps with digital avatars during self-paced study hours. Beyond pitch practice, these systems can simulate tough board meetings, helping founders handle difficult questions from investor avatars before stepping into actual fundraising meetings.

As higher education moves online, using digital double coaches helps top universities offer interactive feedback at a fraction of the cost of traditional tuition. Scaling mentorship through automated video avatars gives working professionals access to elite business instruction anytime, anywhere. By combining human expertise with scalable video automation, Harvard sets a new standard for modern remote learning programs worldwide.