International Orchestra of Refugees Named as Semi-Finalist in Harvard University's 2020 President's Innovation Challenge

CAMBRIDGE, MA, February 4th, 2020 — The International Orchestra of Refugees (IOR) has been accepted into the Venture Program as a Semi-Finalist in the 2020 President’s Innovation Challenge at Harvard University. This is an annual competition hosted by the Harvard Innovation Labs, and open to all students and postdoctoral fellows.

Encompassing tailored advising, mentoring, and advanced programming, the IOR will receive rigorous support from the Harvard Innovation Lab as it continues to accelerate its venture this spring. Beginning on the evening of February 4th, 2020, the Challenge will last twelve weeks, culminating into a celebratory event in the spring. A total of $510,000 in Bertarelli Foundation Prizes are awarded to grand prize and runner-up winners in each venture track of the President’s Innovation Challenge, including the alumni venture tracks. This is made possible by a generous gift by the Bertarelli Foundation, Ernesto Bertarelli (MBA 1993).

Representing Harvard’s Office of the President, President Lawrence S. Bacow says, “Each year, the Challenge brings together individuals with a remarkable range of expertise and skills who want to make the world better.” The President’s Innovation Challenge celebrates what we can accomplish through collaboration, ingenuity, and rigorous exploration. It’s a challenge to imagine all the ways we can do good, better.

For updates throughout the 12-week challenge, subscribe to our email list, and follow us on social media platforms.

For more information on the Harvard Innovation Labs, please visit https://innovationlabs.harvard.edu/.

Written by Sebastian Agignoae, International Orchestra of Refugees

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About International Orchestra of Refugees

IOR’s mission is empowering displaced musicians to become musical ambassadors of peace, through orchestral opportunities and collaborative community.