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How to Apply to MassChallenge!

Applying to the MassChallenge 2012 Accelerator Program involves creating a simple “Startup Profile” on our web site, paying an Application Fee, and submitting an “Application.”

The application period for the MassChallenge 2012 Accelerator Program has CLOSED. The application deadline was April 11, 2012. If you missed the application process this year, we wish you luck with your startup and please consider applying next year!

To apply, follow these steps:

Each of these steps are described in more detail below:

Step 1. Register & Complete A “User Profile”

Register (create an account) on the MassChallenge web site here and create your “User Profile” containing your basic contact information.

Step 2. Create a “Startup Profile”

Create a Startup Profile with basic information about your Startup.

The basic information on the Startup Profile is what will be shown on the public MassChallenge web site (unless you choose to mark your Startup Profile in “Stealth” mode, in which case it will not be shown, you will not be able to receive public votes, and you will forfeit that 10% portion of your overall score).

You also are prompted to answer several eligibility questions as part of creating your Startup Profile.

Once you create your Startup Profile, you can manage all subsequent steps of the application process from that Startup’s “Dashboard,” which you can always find by clicking on the “Startup Dashboard” link at the top right corner of the page, next to the Log out link.

Note that you may apply to MassChallenge with multiple startups, all from your same User Profile. For each startup, you must create a separate Startup Profile, pay a separate Application Fee, and create a separate Application. Each startup will be judged independently.

Step 3. Pay the Application Fee

Paying the Application Fee enables several next steps:

  • The ability to create and submit your Application online (you may download, review, and even start working offline on your application before paying)
  • Publishing your Startup Profile on the MassChallenge web site where you can start receiving Public Votes
  • Submitting names/emails of individuals who can be References for your Application
  • Submitting Refund Codes you may have received from MassChallenge sponsors or other organizations, enabling you to receive a refund of part (or possibly even all) of your Application Fee

The 2012 Application Fee, paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx) is:

  • $99 – EARLY BIRD RATE – Before 12:00 Noon EDT March 19!
  • $199 – STANDARD FEE – After 12:00 Noon EDT March 19

There are two opportunities for Instant Discounts, which are applied at the time of your payment, and reduce the amount you are charged by $5 each:

  • $5 Twitter Instant Discount – For tweeting (as part of the Application Fee payment process) that you have applied to MassChallenge
  • $5 Facebook Instant Discount – For posting on Facebook (as part of the Application Fee payment process) that you have applied to MassChallenge

Any Refund Codes you submit will be processed AFTER the application deadline of April 11. Your credit card will be refunded the amount represented by your Refund Codes at that time.

If you have problems regarding payment, email pay@masschallenge.org

Step 4. Create, Complete and Submit Your Application

Once you have paid the Application Fee, you may start to edit and complete your Application online (you may download, review, and even start working offline on your application before paying, and then paste them into the online form later – questions are here, but please note the character limits stated with each question on the application.)

You may continue to update and revise your answers in your application up until the Application Deadline of April 11, 12:00 Noon EDT.

The information in your Application is not published on the MassChallenge web site, it is only viewed by the judges.

Optional Steps

After you pay the Application Fee, there are several optional steps you may take, each described below.

Optional Step: Receive Public Votes

When your Startup Profile is published on the MassChallenge web site (after you pay the Application Fee), your Startup can receive “Public Votes” from members of the public. Public Votes count for 10% of your overall score (evaluation of your Application by judges counts for the remaining 90%).

We encourage you to promote the fact that you have applied to MassChallenge and encourage the public to vote for your Startup.

You can start receiving Public Votes as soon as you pay your Application Fee, even before you have finished your Application (only your Startup Profile is visible to the public). You can continue to receive Public Votes while you work on and after you have finished your Application.

The public may vote for your Startup by following the simple steps outlined here. A given individual may vote on a given Startup only once, but may vote on any number of different Startups.

The last day for the public to vote on your Startup is May 2.

If you choose to keep your Startup Profile in “Stealth” mode and not have it published on the MassChallenge web site, you will not be able to receive public votes. However, this forfeits only 10% of your overall score.

Optional Step: Request References

After you pay the Application Fee you may submit the names and email addresses of one or more individuals who you would like to act as References for you and your Startup.

Please note that references are optional but provide additional data points to evaluate the application. Please use them only if you think they will provide additional data on your application. Ideal reference writers are recognized experts who know you and your company well and can provide genuine insight about your potential.

MassChallenge will contact these individuals on your behalf and ask for their simple input, including questions such as:

  • Confirm that you are willing to be a reference
  • On a scale of 1-7 how would you rate the impact of this company for society if it succeeds in achieving its goals? Rate the company relative to peers in its industry.
  • On a scale of 1-7 how would you rate the likelihood that this company will succeed in achieving its goals? Rate the company relative to peers in its industry and at its stage of development.
  • Additional comments the reference may want to provide

You may submit a maximum of 5 references – either all at once or incrementally over time – and can see from your Startup Dashboard if a given reference has responded to MassChallenge (however, you are not able to see the content of their response). Note that we send an email only once to each reference, shortly after you submit their name/email address. You may want to give references a heads-up that they will be contacted by MassChallenge, and to check their spam folder if they don’t see anything.

The last date for references to respond to MassChallenge is May 2.

Optional Step: Submit Refund Codes

After you pay the Application Fee, you may submit one or more unique Refund Codes that you acquire from MassChallenge sponsors or other organizations after March 15.

Each Refund Code you submit prior to the Application Deadline of April 11 will entitle you to a certain refund amount (for example, $25) to be paid to you after the close of the Application Deadline of April 11.

Note that Refund Codes are unique – each code can be applied to only one Startup Application. If you attempt to submit a Refund Code that has already been applied to another Startup Application, the Refund Code will not validate for you.

You may accumulate and submit as many Refund Codes as you like – it is possible to completely refund your entire Application Fee (but not more than you paid!)

Please be thoughtful in how you pursue acquiring Refund Codes -- it is wise to NOT "spam" the universe asking for Refund Codes, as such an action will probably not endear you to those spam recipients. The goal of Refund Codes is to 1) reduce your application fee, and 2) promote thoughtful engagement between you and the organizations who have Refund Codes.

The Application Judging Process

Following the Application Deadline on April 11, the judging process commences. Judging proceeds in two Rounds:

  • Round 1 – Online review of all Applications. Your Application will be reviewed online by multiple judges. After Round 1 is complete, you will receive any feedback provided by these judges on your Application. Round 1 will take several weeks, completing around May 2.
  • Round 2 – In-Person Judging. The top ~300 applications will be invited to pitch in-person to panels of judges at the MassChallenge offices in Boston on specific dates that will be arranged between May 9 and 17. Although in-person pitching is strongly recommended, those who cannot get to Boston for an in-person pitch (such as international companies) may pitch via Video Skype. Following Round 2 judging, approximately 125 “Finalists” will be invited to participate in the MassChallenge 2012 Accelerator Program that beings in June.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are listed here.

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

Questions?

If you don’t find answers to your questions in the FAQ, you may contact us at apply@masschallenge.org. We’re here to help you succeed!