Global Partners

MassChallenge Israel

MassChallenge Israel is the first, and so far only, formal MassChallenge program outside Boston. The mission of MassChallenge Israel is to enable top-tier Israeli startups to access global markets by connecting them with the very best people and organizations in the Boston entrepreneurial ecosystem. There are no strings attached to the MassChallenge program – MassChallenge does not take equity from the startups we support or place any restrictions on the winners.

With the help of Israeli mentors and judges, MassChallenge Israel will identify the highest-potential startups in Israel to participate in the MassChallenge accelerator in Boston. During the four-month accelerator period, Israeli startups will have access to world-class mentorship, a top-tier community of several hundred entrepreneurs, education, training, networking events, free office space, and a chance to win a piece of the $1M+ in cash prizes.

For more information, please see here.

iNNpulsa Colombia

The Colombian government’s agency for high-impact entrepreneurship and innovation, iNNpulsa Colombia, partnered with MassChallenge as a Platinum sponsor in 2012, embarking on an ambitious program to foster a rich culture of entrepreneurship in Colombia and to connect Colombian startups with Boston’s innovation ecosystem. Inspired by MassChallenge’s competition-based model, iNNpulsa aims to promote competitiveness within Colombia, with the belief that innovation in business will lead to a more prosperous society. Together with MassChallenge, iNNpulsa is developing tools and programs to better enable Colombian entrepreneurs to tackle global challenges. For more information, please contact iNNpulsa at info@innpulsacolombia.com.

Russian Venture Company

The Russian Venture Company joined MassChallenge as a Platinum sponsor in 2012, the same year the firm launched its U.S. arm, RVC-USA, which is headquartered in Boston. A billion-dollar fund of funds, RVC works to advance the development of Russia’s own venture capital industry and to connect Russian capital and resources with opportunities in global markets. RVC-USA’s strategic partnership with MassChallenge focuses on exposing talented Russian entrepreneurs, engineers and developers to the rich array of resources that the U.S., and particularly Massachusetts, has to offer, along with enhancing Russia’s reputation as a global thought leader in innovation and investment strategy. For more information, visit www.RVC-USA.com or email russia@masschallenge.org.

Zapopan, Mexico

The city of Zapopan partnered with MassChallenge in 2013 as a Platinum sponsor in order to help foster entrepreneurship and economic vitality in the Zapopan area. Zapopan is the one of five cities that constitute the Guadalajara metropolitan area, near Mexico’s western coast, and the most prominent in terms of commercial activity. The city attracted $1.3 billion in private investment in 2011 and is eager to continue fueling economic growth and the creation of new enterprises. Zapopan’s partnership with MassChallenge is part of the city’s new initiative, "Reto Zapopan," with the goal of strengthening the area’s network of universities, corporations, investors, government agencies, and individuals in support of entrepreneurship. For more information, email mexico@masschallenge.org.

Join Us!

Want to be a part of MassChallenge’s global initiatives? MassChallenge is dedicated to helping all regions foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Our programs offer entrepreneurs around the world the chance to access Boston’s unique innovation ecosystem and position themselves to have a global impact. Contact global@masschallenge.org for more information.

Unaffiliated Programs Inspired by MassChallenge

Lisbon Challenge (Portugal)

Run by Beta-i, Lisbon Challenge is a 4-month startup accelerator inspired by MassChallenge, based in Lisbon with sessions in Boston, London and São Paulo. Lisbon Challenge will engage 75 startups in Lisbon from June through October 2013 to accelerate their business ideas through access to 200 mentors, 100 investors, and other essential resources for startups. Lisbon Challenge accepts applications from any sector anywhere in the world, takes no equity and offers entrepreneurs free office space, low cost accommodation, flight discounts and surf classes, among other benefits. At the end of the program, winning teams get a cash prize with no strings attached and have the chance to present their startups in Investor Days in Lisbon, London and São Paulo. For more information, visit www.lisbon-challenge.com

Entrepreneurial-Spark (Scotland)

Entrepreneurial-Spark® is a business accelerator inspired by MassChallenge and based in Scotland. At Entrepreneurial-Spark, start-ups and early stage businesses are hot-housed, nurtured and enabled for up to one year in three unique "Hatcheries" in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Ayrshire. Entrepreneurial-Spark offers start-ups business mentoring, workshops, office space, IT support, and facilities all completely free in a collaborative environment for like-minded entrepreneurs to test their ideas, network and ideally grow beyond their first and second birthdays. Like MassChallenge, Entrepreneurial-Spark's vision is to create a business start-up renaissance in and from Scotland, through the development of entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviors. For more information, visit http://www.entrepreneurial-spark.com.