Challenge Programs are short-term accelerators designed to help startups refine their business models and gain valuable feedback from experienced founders, investors, and industry experts.
Through a series of focused workshops and mentorship sessions, participating companies strengthen their strategy and prepare for a final pitch event where teams showcase their progress to the broader innovation ecosystem.
Challenges are focused on business verticals such as advanced manufacturing, health technology, or on “need areas” such as innovations in caregiving.
We run industry-focused innovation challenges that connect startups with corporate partners, investors, and regional leaders.
Supports startups developing technologies and services that address climate and sustainability challenges.
Designed to support Western Massachusetts startups building solutions in digital health, healthcare delivery, and medical technologies.
A short-term accelerator focused on startups using artificial intelligence to solve real problems for mature businesses.
This challenge sought entrepreneurs who prioritized creating jobs in the Mohawk Trail region with their business. Examples included woodland-related tourism, woodland-derived natural products, and woodcraft.
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Innovation Challenge helped accelerate Massachusetts companies that pivoted production capabilities to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge complemented the services of the state’s Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (M-ERT), which is led by the MassTech Collaborative in partnership with MassMEP.
The Intrapreneur Challenge assisted mature companies in developing strategies to create new jobs and grow revenue through new products or services.
This program identified digital health solutions that could support the economic recovery of Massachusetts following the pandemic by improving healthcare delivery and system resilience.
