Boston, MA – April 23, 2025: MassChallenge, the global network for innovators solving massive challenges and Duane Morris LLP, a leading international law firm with over 900 attorneys dedicated to providing innovative legal solutions have a history of helping startups. When Daniel R. Pierce and Dana Blakslee of Duane Morris first met with MassChallenge Co-Founders John Hawthorne and Akhil Nigam in 2009, they saw an opportunity to help founders win during a pivotal moment in Boston’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“Coming out of the 2008 financial crisis, [MassChallenge’s no-equity approach] was perfectly timed to catch the wave of startup companies in Boston and beyond,” shared Pierce. “The opportunity to participate in this exciting program from the outset – before every big law firm in the city discovered it – was a fantastic opportunity. Over these last 15 years, we have had many opportunities to meet and work with exciting young companies, and dozens of them have become our clients.”
Many of the founders participating in MassChallenge programs are developing groundbreaking solutions in critical areas like Health, Climate, Security, Finance, and Social Impact. To achieve real-world impact, these founders need partners like Duane Morris to provide real-time, hands-on expertise and help them navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Our partnership with Duane Morris provides critical legal support to early-stage founders, democratizing access to expertise and empowering them to overcome obstacles and scale their businesses effectively.
“Our partnership with MassChallenge extends beyond traditional legal counsel,” adds Pierce. “We’ve been privileged to judge competitions, build long-term mentoring relationships with finalists, and host events in our offices. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to the growth of so many innovative startups.”
“Duane Morris has been a cornerstone partner since MassChallenge’s inception,” said Will Magruder, Vice President of Partnerships at MassChallenge. “Their dedication to fostering innovation and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs has enabled countless startups to navigate complex legal landscapes and accelerate their growth.”
Corporate partnerships are a key component of the MassChallenge accelerator framework. By fostering intentional connections between enterprises and startups, we empower both to push the boundaries of innovation, drive business growth, and transform economies.
About Duane Morris LLP
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with eight locations worldwide, it is the non-profit’s mission to help bold entrepreneurs disrupt the status quo and create sustainable change. Since launching in 2009, MassChallenge has run programs in 24 countries, supported more than 4,300 startups from around the world, and awarded over $18M in equity-free cash and prizes. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.