MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. We equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. With more than a decade of experience, our proven methodology accelerates the innovation potential of high-growth businesses and startups as they address some of the biggest challenges across industries, impacting the way we live, work, and play.

Our US-based early-stage organizations in Austin, Boston, Houston, and Rhode Island attract top talent and entrepreneurs to the regions and provide access to the tools and resources founders need to set roots and grow. MassChallenge is committed to advancing new technologies and innovations that will have a widespread impact across business, industry and economic growth.

SINCE 2010 MASSCHALLENGE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE

Early-stage startups, in general, have raised less than ~$1M in equity-based funding and generated less than ~$2M in revenue in the last 12 months. Please note these are guidelines, not firm requirements. While funding and revenue are important factors, we also look at team strength, product/market fit, customer traction, and the potential for impact.

MassChallenge runs tracks to strengthen innovation across key challenge areas identified by our corporate and government partners. Tracks leverage MassChallenge's infrastructure to surface and connect quality startups to specialized communities. For startups, Industry Tracks are an invitation only opportunity for relevant businesses that are accepted into a MassChallenge accelerator. In 2021, our tracks include:

Safety and Security

The Safety and Security track focuses on accelerating “dual-use” startups to engage with federal markets via the DoD SBIR/STTR programs. The track convenes the necessary resources and ecosystem stakeholders to educate, connect, and support the development of these companies. Startups are provided expert mentorship, targeted curriculum, and strategic exposure to end users, corporate partners, and DoD customers. It is MassChallenges goal to drive defense innovation at speed, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors to once again develop next generation technologies helping make our world a safer place. The Safety and Security Track is sponsored by the National Security Innovation Network, MITRE, BAE Systems, and Raytheon.

Enterprise Technology

The Enterprise Technology Fellowship will support a select group of early stage companies building towards the next generation of enterprise technology and service platforms related to security, data management and artificial intelligence.  Fellows will receive specialized support from sponsors and a select network of experts addressing critical startup-barriers to success. Enterprise Technology is sponsored by KPMG.  

The US Air Force Lab

MassChallenge Boston runs The US Air Force Lab on behalf of the U.S Airforce. Labs is an initiative to support the goal of innovation at speed for the defense industry. This select program is funded by Air Force Research Labs, PEO Digital, PEO C3I&N, CROWS, and the Griffiss Institute to de-risk and grow cutting edge technologies and startups awarded that are addressing national security challenges. Click here to learn more.

For Partner Benefits, you can find more information here.

Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements in our FAQ.