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MassChallenge Boston Names Top 20 Startups in 2019 Cohort

October 2, 2019, BOSTON – MassChallenge, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, today announced the top 20 startups from its 2019 Boston program. These startups will now advance to the final judging round, where they’ll compete for cash prizes that will be awarded at the MassChallenge Awards on October 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.

“It’s been a privilege to work with our 2019 cohort; their progress has been remarkable,” said Caitlin Brumme, Managing Director, MassChallenge Boston. “We have also been inspired by the overwhelming intent of this group of founders to positively affect the critical challenges facing people and the planet. It is clear that these entrepreneurs do not see a trade-off between pioneering cutting-edge technologies, achieving explosive growth, and creating world-positive impact. I am truly excited to celebrate these startups at the 2019 MassChallenge awards and see what they have in store in the years to come.”

Approximately 40% of selected winners fall into healthcare/life sciences, followed by 25% in high tech. Additionally, 50% of winners have at least one female founder. Five of the top 20 startups participated in MassChallenge Boston’s first Safety and Security track, which provided selected startups to an ecosystem of committed experts ranging from governments and military organizations to research and development centers to defense innovation groups. The Safety and Security track is supported by BAE Systems, Draper, MITRE, the National Security Innovation Network, and the U.S. Air Force.

The top 20 startups will compete for more than $1M in equity-free cash prizes during a final in-person judging round. A select panel of industry leaders will evaluate each startup on based on their potential to transform industries and solve massive problems.

One hundred startups from six countries participated in the tenth annual MassChallenge Boston accelerator. Over the course of four months, MassChallenge provided focused curriculum, connections to a pool of over 400 experienced mentors, access to corporate partners, and connections into the rich Boston innovation ecosystem. The program’s mission is to provide founders the unique support and perspective required to grow and adapt ventures in a dynamic market.

Members of the community will have the opportunity to meet the 2019 cohorts of MassChallenge Boston and MassChallenge Rhode Island during the tenth annual MassChallenge Awards on October 24, 2019 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Tickets are limited: to register for #MCAwards2019, click here. To sponsor a table, contact Liz Belfield.

MASSCHALLENGE BOSTON TOP 20:

AeroShield

Energy / Clean Tech

Super-insulating nanoglass for energy efficient windows.

Aerospec Technologies

High Tech

Harness the power of drone data to provide complete visual data intelligence for the Clean Energy Industry.

Ashored Innovations

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Developing sustainable fishing technology to reduce/prevent marine entanglements, ghost gear, and ocean waste in commercial fishing.

Cures Within Reach for Cancer

Social Impact

Transforming the treatment of cancer with available, safe, and affordable repurposed therapies.

EnVision Endoscopy, Inc.

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Developing a novel image guided suturing device to allow gastrointestinal endoluminal surgeries & reduce cost of care.

JobGet

High Tech

Reduces the time to hire a staff down to less than 24 hours, compared to the normal process of several weeks.

Knot

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Takes care of important educational requirements and allows doctors to learn more from patients through effortless case logging.

Koldchain

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Stealth

Lab Grown Source

High Tech

Directly connecting buyers and sellers of lab grown diamonds.

Legacy

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Helping men preserve their fertility by providing an affordable, at-home kit that they can use to test and freeze their sperm.

Lukkap Data & Analytics

High Tech

Enterprise software that measures Customer and Employee Experience in real time, providing data directly linked to business KPIs.

Pison

High Tech

Stealth

Rezztek by SPECTER HOCKEY

General

Introducing a next generation material for the blade of the hockey stick that makes you a better player.

Skip the Small Talk

Social Impact

Using insights from psychology research to design events and products that help people get closer, faster.

Tellus Therapeutics

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Developing novel small molecules derived from human breast milk to reverse the neonatal brain injury that leads to cerebral palsy.

United Aircraft Technologies, Inc.

General

Developing a novel lightweight Smart Fastener for aircraft to improve fuel economy and simplify maintenance.

Uplift

General

Platform that helps companies advance working moms by turning motherhood into an advantage, not a setback.

VenoStent

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Biomaterial and medical device company creating a bioresorbable shape memory polymer wrap for vein collapse in dialysis patients.

Voyant Diagnostics

Healthcare/ Life Sciences

Smart toilet platform that fully automates point-of-care urine diagnostics.

Yad

General

A social enterprise that aims to empower people with disabilities by allowing them to express themselves through art.

About MassChallenge:

MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, our 2,344 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $5 billion in funding, generated more than $2.7 billion in revenue, and created more than 136,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org. 

Top MassChallenge Boston Partners:

Altus Dental, Amica Insurance, Analog Devices, Arrow Electronics, Autodesk, BAE Systems, BNY Mellon, The Boston Foundation, Brex, Chewsi, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cydan, Deshpande Foundation, Draper, FM Global, GlaxoSmithKline, Halliburton, Henkel, the ISS National Lab, Jamestown, John W. Henry Family Foundation, KPMG, Microsoft, MITRE, Mitsubishi, the National Security Innovation Network, Sanofi, and the U.S. Air Force.