MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. We equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. With more than a decade of experience, our proven methodology accelerates the innovation potential of high-growth businesses and startups as they address some of the biggest challenges across industries, impacting the way we live, work, and play. 

Our US-based early-stage organizations in Austin, Boston, Houston, and Rhode Island attract top talent and entrepreneurs to the regions and provide access to the tools and resources founders need to set roots and grow. MassChallenge is committed to advancing new technologies and innovations that will have a widespread impact across business, industry and economic growth.
 

MassChallenge Rhode Island Continues to Accelerate

Early-stage startups, in general, have raised less than ~$1M in equity-based funding and generated less than ~$2M in revenue in the last 12 months. Please note these are guidelines, not firm requirements. While funding and revenue are important factors, we also look at team strength, product/market fit, customer traction, and the potential for impact.

MassChallenge runs tracks to strengthen innovation across key challenge areas identified by our corporate and government partners. Tracks leverage MassChallenge's infrastructure to surface and connect quality startups to specialized communities. For startups, Industry Tracks are an invitation only opportunity for relevant businesses that are accepted into a MassChallenge accelerator. In 2021, our tracks include:

Safety and Security

Select startups will receive specialized support and resources as part of the program’s Safety and Security track. The Safety and Security track accelerates, connects and educates startups with direct or potential relevance to national defense and public safety applications accelerate their commercial and defense pathways to scale. S&S track, partners a demonstrated platform to access the next generation of defense-relevant technologies and strengthen the defense innovation ecosystem. S&S is sponsored by BAE Systems, Mitre, Draper, Mitsubisi America, the U.S Airforce, and Raytheon.

Enterprise Technology

The Enterprise Technology Fellowship will support a select group of early stage companies building towards the next generation of enterprise technology and service platforms related to security, data management and artificial intelligence.  Fellows will receive specialized support from sponsors and a select network of experts addressing critical startup-barriers to success. Enterprise Technology is sponsored by KPMG.  

The US Air Force Lab

MassChallenge Boston runs The US Air Force Lab on behalf of the U.S Airforce. Labs is an initiative to support the goal of innovation at speed for the defense industry. This select program is funded by Air Force Research Labs, PEO Digital, PEO C3I&N, CROWS, and the Griffiss Institute to de-risk and grow cutting edge technologies and startups awarded that are addressing national security challenges. Click here to learn more.

“As a founding partner of the MassChallenge Rhode Island program, Hasbro actively inspires and encourages creativity, and strives to provide resources for entrepreneurial activity across the state. Through our partnership with MassChallenge, we have the unique opportunity to engage with likeminded organizations and the innovation ecosystem to support the most-promising startups from around the world. These early-stage ventures are driving widespread impact across industries from entertainment to clean energy.”

- Brian Chapman President and Head of Global Design and Development, Toy/Game/Consumer Products  

Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements in our FAQ.