Under the terms of the agreement, MassChallenge entrepreneurs will have access to Startup Institutes network of nearly 1000 alumni, as well as its curriculum and speakers. In turn, Startup Institute students and alumni will have the opportunity to build closer relationships with MassChallenge startups and alumni via special events and as well as opportunities to work on projects for MassChallenge companies.
MassChallenge entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to teach in Startup Institute classes, and Startup Institute students will work on a variety of special projects for select MassChallenge companies during the course of their 8-week immersion. A special project might involve a group of students in the Startup Institute sales track creating a model sales presentation for a MassChallenge company. The two organizations will also collaborate on a special event, to be announced at a later date.
The partnership of the two Boston-based organizations will support activity in Boston as well as fuel expansion efforts globally. Startup Institute currently runs programs in Boston, New York, Chicago, London and Berlin. MassChallenge has programs in Boston and Israel, and just launched MassChallenge UK in London on February 11th.
This is a natural partnership, said John Harthorne, CEO of MassChallenge. We want to provide entrepreneurs with what they need to succeed, and our relationship with Startup Institute helps solve one of their biggest challenges: access to outstanding talent.
This announcement takes an already strong collaboration and makes it even better, observed Diane Hessan, CEO of Startup Institute. “Partnering with MassChallenge connects our students to great startups in Boston and London, while also setting the stage for further collaboration as both organizations expand globally.”
Allan Telio, Director and Vice President of Startup Institute Boston, added, We have unlimited possibilities to work together – from having MassChallenge entrepreneurs in our classrooms to having our students helping them solve their challenges and grow. This is good for Boston. Also, both organizations have similar personalities. Were both fun. There aint no partay like an SI-MassChallenge partay.
The two organizations expect to work together immediately, as the next Startup Institute Spring Session begins on February 23rd and MassChallenge 2015 applications are due April 1.
About Startup Institute
Startup Institute gives professionals the skills, mindset and networks to get a job in a startup or high-growth company and thrive in a new career. To date, over 800 alumni have graduated from Startup Institutes 8-week learning experience and are now working all across the innovation economy in sales, technical marketing, web design and web development. With offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, London and Berlin, Startup Institute has hundreds of partners from hiring companies who help to teach its programs and mentor its students. For more information, visitwww.startupinstitute.com
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge runs startup accelerators designed to catalyze a global renaissance by connecting high-impact startups with the resources they need to launch and succeed. Anyone can apply to MassChallenge, with any early-stage startup, in any industry, from anywhere in the world. MassChallenge does not take equity or place any restrictions on the startups it supports.
With programs in Boston, Israel and the UK, MassChallenge provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, office space, education, access to a vast network, and other resources during four months of acceleration. MassChallenge awards over $2 million in non-dilutive grants to the startups demonstrating the highest impact and highest potential. A nonprofit organization, MassChallenge is funded by corporate, public and foundation partners. To date, the 617 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $706 million in funding, generated $404 million in revenue and created 4,800 jobs. For more information, visitwww.masschallenge.org.
Media Contacts:
Startup Institute: Allan Telio: allan@startupinstitute.com
MassChallenge: Shannon Sullivan: Shannon@masschallenge.org