Applications for TiE ScaleUp are open through January 31. The Boston-based accelerator program specializes in supporting seed and Series A companies in all sectors. More information and application here.
The NEVCA is excited to host the 10th year of Unpitch events powered by AWS! Unpitch welcomes promising founders to have conversations with seasoned VCs – no yes or no; just feedback, guidance, and connections. Unpitch TECH will be held on March 1 at SVB Boston, connecting early stage tech startups to leading tech investors in New England. Applications are due February 1. More information here.
The University of Massachusetts’ Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) is pleased to launch the 12th Annual M2D2 $200K Challenge, an opportunity designed to showcase the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of seed and early-stage medical device and biotech companies. The M2D2 $200K Challenge will award valuable in-kind mentoring and development services provided by the program sponsors to selected finalist companies. Applications are due February 12. More information here.
MIT Energy Conference presents the Energy & Climate Tech Showcase taking place on April 11 at The Westin Copley Place. The purpose of the Showcase is to give conference-goers an opportunity to learn about the most exciting companies and research organizations advancing the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change. Host a booth to interact with conference attendees, and display your tech in action. Applications are due February 12. More information here.
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards for impactful and inclusive approaches to foster a thriving, collaborative national innovation support ecosystem to advance research and development (R&D) from ideas to impact. By fostering connections between entrepreneurs, advisors, mentors, partners, philanthropies, corporations, investors, and other shared resources, the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) will catalyze strategic ecosystem partnerships to build community and organizational capacity for the successful launch, growth, and scale of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based entrepreneurs and startups. Apply by February 24. More information here.
Great funding opportunity for MA-based, deep tech startups! MassVentures’ START program is accepting Stage I applications now through February 28. Win $100,000 or more and get business advice and network connections to help commercialize technologies developed under SBIR and STTR contracts. To be eligible, you must be based in Massachusetts and have won an SBIR/STTR Phase II award. More information and application here:
Apply Now for the 2023 Board-Ready Bootcamp, beginning April 5th: The Board-Ready Bootcamp is designed to improve the quality of board governance and composition at companies by providing a high-impact curriculum on board fundamentals, strategy, and governance. Given the lack of diversity in the tech boardroom, the bootcamp is focused on preparing underrepresented tech leaders, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and women tech executives. Apply by March 25. More information here.
Accelerate Your Impact: Massachusetts Small Business Coaching Program
Boston Impact Initiative (BII) and Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) have partnered to offer entrepreneurs and small business owners coaching and resources to build sustainable and socially impactful businesses. More information here.
The Empower Digital Grant program provides funding for the needs of Massachusetts-based small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals seeking tools and services to develop their digital capabilities in partnership with a Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) provider for up to $5,000. More information here.
FinTech Sandbox is a nonprofit which enables financial technology entrepreneurs to build robust products by providing access to critical data, development tools and a curated network of customers, entirely for free. FinTech Sandbox is open to all startups innovating in financial services that can use financial data products we offer for product development and testing. The spirit of the program is to offer data to start-ups that could not otherwise afford it. More information here.
The NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant is available for Black-owned businesses with one to 25 employees located in New England (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and select areas of Connecticut (more details in the application). $25,000 in grants are available on a rolling basis. More information here.
Venture Lane is piloting a new virtual membership called Venture Lane Connect. The membership will enable B2B startup founders based in Boston to tap into Venture Lane’s curated network, weekly programming focused on go-to-market strategy, $400K in perks like AWS and Microsoft Azure and other resources for early-stage growth. Interested B2B startup founders and their teams can sign up for the private beta here.
P&G Ventures is an early stage startup studio within Procter & Gamble that partners with entrepreneurs to accelerate billion dollar ideas that improve consumers’ lives. Focus areas include nontoxic home and garden, women’s health, anti-aging, daily wellness, and cleaning/sanitizing. More information here.