Harvard Business School adds IQanat rural school case to curriculum

August 21, 2026 at 11:24 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Harvard Business School includes Kazakhstan's IQanat foundation in its curriculum as a case study in rural education. Professor Boris Groysberg presents the case during a visit to the IQanat school in Borovoye on 21 August 2026.

Key Facts

94% of IQanat graduates enter universities on grants and study in 19 countries.
More than 260 entrepreneurs support the IQanat foundation.
Boris Groysberg, an HBS professor and case co-author, visited the IQanat school in Borovoye on 21 August 2026 to present the material.
The case describes an endowment designed to reduce dependence on yearly fundraising.
The case also examines IQ Club, a closed business community of trustees, as a stability tool.

The Harvard Case

Harvard Business School included the IQanat foundation in its educational program as an example of support for rural schoolchildren. Professor Boris Groysberg, one of the case authors, visited the school in Borovoye to present the material and meet trustees, staff, students and alumni. The case examines both the foundation's educational work with rural children and its ability to unite hundreds of entrepreneurs. The fund is supported by more than 260 entrepreneurs.

The Smart Money Model

The foundation's work rests on the 'smart money' principle: more than 260 entrepreneurs invest not only capital but also experience, expertise, connections and time. The case describes an endowment that builds capital to reduce dependence on annual fundraising and sustain the IQanat school for future generations. IQ Club, a closed business community of trustees, is examined as an additional stability tool. The club helps retain engagement, attract new trustees, and provides a platform for business contacts and experience exchange. Graduates return to the project as mentors, help run olympiads and discuss the fund's development with the team.

Graduate Outcomes

94% of IQanat graduates enter universities on grants. They study in 19 countries worldwide. The organization expects graduates, after building careers, to support the project and new students. IQanat is a public project of Kazakhstani entrepreneurs aimed at changing the lives of rural children through access to quality education.