Global network for innovators begins to identify top startups and geographies of top innovators launching groundbreaking, fundable businesses and plans to share trends at October 22, 2020 streaming event.

(PROVIDENCE, RI – September 29, 2020) – MassChallenge, the global network for innovators, today announced the top six startup finalists from its Rhode Island-based accelerator, now in its third year of programming. These startups will go on to participate in a final round of judging where they will compete for up to $100,000 in equity-free cash prizes. The prize winners will be announced on Thursday, October 22, 2020 as part of the 2020 MassChallenge Virtual U.S. Awards, which will livestream on the MassChallenge website. 

The six finalists represent top startup trends in 2020:

• Healthcare/Life Sciences (50%) including healthcare IT, health and wellness, and medical devices
• High Tech (33%) including hardware and robotics, and telecommunications and mobile
• Energy/ Clean Tech (17%) including efficiency and advanced materials
• Four of the top six are (66%) female founded

“It has been an honor to work closely with this year’s cohort of startups. Their creative ideas and tenacity are shaping the future,” said Hope Hopkins, Managing Director of MassChallenge Rhode Island. “Over the last four months I have witnessed a commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation from key stakeholders across the region like never before. These stakeholders are the cornerstone of our community and their efforts advance startups from areas in and outside of New England by providing critical resources to cities and towns across the world.  It’s been truly gratifying to see the strengthening of our own ecosystem right here in Rhode Island. Collectively, we are truly doing our part to make it a little bit easier for entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses particularly at a time when the world’s economy depends on them.” 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 MassChallenge Rhode Island program held its first-ever virtual accelerator for 30 participating early-stage startups from around the world. During the four-month program, the startups leveraged expert mentorship, tailored curriculum, corporate partnerships, and industry resources to launch and grow their companies. With more than a decade of experience, MassChallenge’s proven zero-equity model and global network works for its startups – not against them – by providing the vital resources they need to grow without taking any equity in return.
 
“This year has presented numerous challenges for many businesses and even more for small enterprises and startups. I am excited to see the resilience shown by all of the founders and their teams in this year’s cohort as they adapted to changing work conditions and shifting customer needs to bring their visions to reality,” said Michael Lebovitz, Senior Vice President of Innovation for FM Global. “Congratulations to the top six startups in the RI program! I look forward to finding out the winner in just a few weeks.” 

2020 MassChallenge Rhode Island Top 6 Finalist Startups

bosWell (Providence, RI): Connecting vulnerable populations to care.

GC USA (Providence, RI): At GC USA we combine graphene and aerogel to make the strongest, lightest, most resilient products ever – enhancing the quality of life.

Mount (Boston, MA): A B2B Data Analytics Solution for Last Mile Transportation.

Nautilus Defense LLC (Pawtucket, RI): Nautilus Defense builds advanced textile and composite-integrated systems for monitoring structural assets and their environments.

ResusciTech (Providence, RI): ResusciTech will give everyone the confidence and capability to train and perform CPR anywhere and take action during medical emergencies.

VISIT (Providence, RI): VISIT is a monthly activity kit & app supporting family and friends of people living with dementia by guiding positive social interaction.

ABOUT THE MASSCHALLENGE VIRTUAL U.S. AWARDS CEREMONY 

MassChallenge is hosting its first-ever l virtual celebration of innovation and creativity featuring 200+ startups from the 2020 accelerator programs in Austin, Boston, Houston, and Rhode Island.  The event will showcase the progress the startups have made during their program, feature industry-leading speakers Arianna Huffington (Thrive Global), Linda Pizzuti Henry (Boston Globe Media Partners), and Chris Denson (Innovation Crush) to speak on the transformative power of startups, and award up to $2M in equity-free cash prizes to the top startups from the programs. RSVP Here.

ABOUT THE 2020 MASSCHALLENGE PROGRAMS

This year, the U.S. programs in Austin, Boston, Houston, and Rhode Island welcomed a total of 244 early-stage startups from more than 30 countries. Selected from thousands of applicants, the 2020 cohorts represent the best and brightest ideas that tackle some of the world’s most massive challenges. Collectively the startups engaged in over 1,000 office hours and mentor engagements, 200+ classes, and 7 cross program seminar sessions hosted by speakers like Niraj Shah (CEO, Wayfair), Brian Halligan (CEO, Hubspot), Kirk Arnold (EiR, General Catalyst), Deb Benton (Willow Growth Partners), and more.

MASSCHALLENGE PARTNERS

Agrosuper, Altus Dental, Amica Insurance, Analog Devices, Austin Technology Incubator, Autodesk, Babson College, BAE Systems, Boston University, Brandeis University, Brex, Carta, Central Houston, City of Houston, Cydan Development, Defense Innovation Unit, Dell for Entrepreneurs, Delta Dental, Department of Defense, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Duane Morris LLP, First Republic Bank, FM Global, Foley Hoag LLP, Hasbro, Henkel, IOwnIt, ISS National Laboratory, J.P. Morgan, Juice Consulting, KPMG LLP, MassCEC, McKinsey & Company, MITRE, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsui & Co., Office of Economic Adjustment/DIA, Oracle for Startups, PwC, Raytheon, Reliant, an NRG Company, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Sanofi, SOMPO, Stadia Ventures, Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities, The Boston Foundation, TMAC, University of Texas at Austin, UPS, Upstream, US Air Force, WeWork, Winstead 

ABOUT MASSCHALLENGE

MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with seven locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and to create meaningful change. Since launching in 2009, more than 2,400 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $6.2B in funding, generated more than $3B in revenue, and created more than 157,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.