2024-2025 MASS AWIS Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Impact Program: The Learning Through Disciplined Entrepreneurship is an introductory in-person entrepreneurship program for women in science. Applications should include a concept that the participant intends to grow (such as a startup whether for profit or not). Applications are open to all women identifying scientists in Massachusetts, from any discipline. The series of workshops are designed not only to help participants to operationalize their ideas, but to address barriers to female entrepreneurship. Application Deadline: TODAY, September 30. More information here.
Apply now to pitch at the Be Investor Ready event and showcase your clean tech ideas in front of top investors and professionals. This is your chance to connect with and pitch in front of like-minded individuals looking to network, learn, and uplift the clean tech community. Applications are due October 6. Apply here.
The InnovateMass program provides up to $350,000 in grant funding and technical support to applicant teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with a strong potential for commercialization. Successful applicants will propose projects that address important energy challenges within our four focus areas, help to grow the state’s clean energy economy, and contribute to Massachusetts’ continued clean energy leadership. Applications are due October 7. More information here.
Greater Worcester Fall 2024 All Ideas Pitch Contest: EforAll Pitch Contests are lively two-hour events that offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Business ideas across a wide range of industries are encouraged! A total of four cash prizes will be given out (1st place @ $1000, 2nd @ $750, 3rd place @ $500 as well as a $500 Fan Favorite prize). Deadline to apply: October 9. More information here.
CIC Massachusetts Social Impact Cohort: This program is supported through funding by the Minority Business Development Agency, and is designed for underrepresented founders in growth-stages of business across all industries, with companies based in Massachusetts or the Greater Boston area. This cohort includes 6 months of programming plus an additional 3 months of free membership at CIC, with all-inclusive services and amenities; 24/7 access to CIC’s Innovation Campus, coworking space, and global community; Educational, curated programming to support growth and development; and expanded network of mentors, investors, and business contacts. Applications are due October 15. More information here.
Cape Cod Fall 2024 Blue Economy Pitch Contest: Have a business or non-profit idea within the theme of ‘Blue Economy’? We’re talking fishing charters, shellfish farms, sea-to-table dining, ocean tech, coastal art and more! If your business idea leverages Cape Cod’s unique coastal environment, we’d like to hear about it. A total of four cash prizes will be given out (1st place @ $1000, 2nd @ $750, 3rd place @ $500 as well as a $500 Fan Favorite prize). Deadline to apply: October 16. More information here.
Activate transforms scientists and engineers into founders, empowering them to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market. The two-year Activate Fellowship provides early-stage science entrepreneurs with funding, technical resources, and unparalleled support from a network of scientists, engineers, investors, commercial partners, and fellow entrepreneurs. Applications for Cohort 2025 are due October 23. More information here.
EforAll Merrimack Valley Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
EforAll Pioneer Valley Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
EforAll South Coast Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
EforAll Rhode Island Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
EforAll Greater Worcester Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
EforAll Lynn Winter 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: October 24. More information here.
The MassRobotics Accelerator, powered by Mass Tech Collaborative, empowers the next generation of robotics startups through non-dilutive funding, custom tailored curriculum, and personalized mentorship. This equity-free program is committed to supporting and advancing robotics technology entrepreneurs through a 13-week long in-person program, based out of MassRobotics in Boston’s Seaport Innovation District. Applications are due October 25. More information here.
The UMass Lowell Core Research Facilities presents “Fundamentals of Lyophilization for Life Sciences, Bioprocess and Pharmaceuticals.” The CRF has partnered with Biopharma Group, a world-wide leader in the field of lyophilization, to bring you this 6-month, online course. Hosted by the UML CRF, the course will be taught online by experts from Biopharma, capped off with a 3-day, on-site lab practicum at UMass Lowell’s lyophilization lab in Lowell, MA. This course will provide extensive learning for professionals in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and bioprocessing who would like to expand and reinforce their technical knowledge in these sectors. The course begins November 6. More information here.
Roxbury Fall 2024 Social Impact Pitch Contest: EforAll Pitch Contests are lively two-hour events that offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Business ideas across a wide range of industries are encouraged! A total of four cash prizes will be given out (1st place @ $1000, 2nd @ $750, 3rd place @ $500 as well as a $500 Fan Favorite prize). Deadline to apply: November 6. More information here.
SXSW Pitch returns for its 17th year to showcase some of the global startup ecosystem’s most exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge technology from March 8-9, 2025 in Austin, TX during SXSW 2025. This competition provides an outlet for early stage startup companies to present their emerging innovative technology across nine categories to a panel of industry technology experts, high-profile media personnel, and venture capitalists/angel investors. Entries are due November 8. More information here.
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) offers an opportunity for students who manage their own businesses while attending college or university. This global competition challenges student entrepreneurs to compete against their peers in a series of local and national contests, all competing for a spot in the Global Finals. Take advantage of this chance to showcase your entrepreneurial skills on the world stage! Application deadline for the Boston competition is December 2. More information here.
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts is pleased to offer small business grants through the Cambridge Equity Fund. The Cambridge Equity Fund is managed by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts and will serve Cambridge-based Black entrepreneurs who live in Cambridge or whose businesses reside in Cambridge. The Equity Fund will be appropriated using the City of Cambridge’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funds to support long-term racial and economic equity investments in the form of grants and related costs incurred until December 31, 2024. More information here.
EforAll Cape Cod Spring 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 15. More information here.
EforAll Roxbury Spring 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 15. More information here.
EforAll Berkshire County Spring 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 15. More information here.
MassTLC’s award-winning Board Ready Bootcamp has helped almost 350 women, tech leaders of color, LGBTQ+ tech leaders, and other underrepresented executives advance their careers. The Bootcamp is built on a high-impact curriculum designed by industry leaders with expertise in board fundamentals, strategy, and governance. But equally impactful is the strong network of industry luminaries, ready to help participants make the right connections. Participants must be current tech executives who’ve been nominated to attend and have the support of an industry executive or board member. 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.
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.
Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. As one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world, they funded over 3,200 companies that have gone on to have a market cap of $79B+. Each company receives up to $120,000 in funding, and access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and over $4M of perks. Applications are open year-round and will be considered on a rolling basis. Your application will be valid for 12 months from the date of application. More information here.
Through its 2030 Fund, MassCEC invests at the earliest stages of company development across the climatetech landscape. With a focus on tough tech and underserved sectors, MassCEC investments aim to advance clean technology, fill funding gaps, create green jobs, and leverage private capital throughout the Commonwealth. More information 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.
IFundWomen Boston is a crowdfunding ecosystem designed to help the women-led startups, small businesses, nonprofits, side hustles, and passion projects of Boston raise funds to launch and grow. Join iFundWomen if you are a Boston-area women-led startup to fundraise for your business and get your ideas launched. More information here.