2026 Security and Resiliency Traction
SECURITY & RESILIENCY TRACTION PROGRAM
WHERE THE STARTUPS
SAFEGUARDING OUR FUTURE UNLOCK SCALE.
Turn your boldest ideas into mission-ready momentum.
APPLICATIONS OPEN JUNE 11, 2026!
Security & Resiliency Traction Program
Where the startups safeguarding our future unlock scale.
Turn your boldest ideas into mission-ready momentum.
SECURITY & RESILIENCY TRACTION PROGRAM
WHERE THE STARTUPS
SAFEGUARDING OUR FUTURE UNLOCK SCALE.
Turn your boldest ideas into mission-ready momentum.
APPLICATIONS OPEN JUNE 11, 2026!
Security & Resiliency Traction Program
Where the startups safeguarding our future unlock scale.
Turn your boldest ideas into mission-ready momentum.
The MassChallenge Security & Resiliency Traction Program is where early stage security, resiliency, and dual-use startups bridge the gap between "promising tech" and a scaling business. Over 10 high-intensity weeks, we help founders achieve the specific milestones that unlock customers, capital, and scale.
THE GOAL IS SIMPLE. READINESS.
If your product works and your ambition is big, our Security & Resiliency Traction Program helps you close the gaps that stop great companies from scaling. We focus on three specific outcomes:
GO-TO-MARKET READY
Connect with enterprise decision-makers and discover how they prefer to build strategic collaborations with founders through high-value, tailored engagements.
DEFENSIBLE STRATEGY
Strengthen core parts of your business with expert insight – doubling down on what works, closing gaps, and aligning around a clear plan ahead.
INVESTOR READY
Refine your pitch and materials through investor exposure, practice, and actionable feedback from our expert network.
GO TO MARKET READY
Connect with enterprise decision-makers and discover how they prefer to build strategic collaborations with founders through high-value, tailored engagements.
DEFENSIBLE STRATEGY
Strengthen core parts of your business with expert insight – doubling down on what works, closing gaps, and aligning around a clear plan ahead.
INVESTOR READY
Refine your pitch and materials through investor exposure, practice, and actionable feedback from our expert network.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We back category-defining founders from Pre-Seed through Series A+. Whether you are pre-revenue or generating millions, if you are ready to move the market, this is for you.
AUTONOMOUS & INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
UAVs, UGVs, swarming autonomy, and edge sensing and processing.
ENERGY & RESILIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE
Battery storage, microgrids, electrification, and advanced materials.
CONNECTIVITY & CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE
5G/6G, mesh networks, zero trust, and critical infrastructure protection.
BIO & BIOMANUFACTURING
Synthetic biology, bio-based materials, and human performance technologies.
SPACE & FRONTIER PLATFORMS
Earth observation, satellite platforms, launch innovation, and commercial PNT.
OPEN TOPIC
Cross-cutting security and resilience technologies beyond defined focus areas.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We back category-defining founders from Pre-Seed through Series A+. Whether you are pre-revenue or generating millions, if you are ready to move the market, this is for you.
AUTONOMOUS & INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
UAVs, UGVs, swarming autonomy, and edge sensing and processing.
RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Battery storage, microgrids, electrification, and advanced materials.
CONNECTIVITY & CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE
5G/6G, mesh networks, zero trust, and critical infrastructure protection.
BIO & MANUFACTURING
Synthetic biology, bio-based materials, and human performance technologies.
SPACE & FRONTIER PLATFORMS
Earth observation, satellite platforms, launch innovation, and commercial PNT.
OPEN TOPIC
Cross-cutting security, resiliency, and dual-use technologies beyond defined focus areas.
This is not an academic accelerator.
It is a milestone-driven growth engine. You will work hands-on to remove roadblocks with industry experts who have deep backgrounds in the critical areas that kill healthcare startups:
Regulatory & Compliance: FDA pathways, reimbursement strategies, and data privacy.
Go-to-Market (GTM): Complex sales cycles, pilot conversion, and stakeholder management.
Operations: Supply chain, clinical workflow integration, and scaling logistics.
R&D: Clinical trial design, evidence generation, and product roadmap validation.
Go-to-Market (GTM): Complex sales cycles, pilot conversion, and stakeholder management.
Operations: Supply chain, clinical workflow integration, and scaling logistics.
R&D: Clinical trial design, evidence generation, and product roadmap validation.
You leave the program with
COMMERCIAL MOMENTUM
Live pilots, partnerships, or signed contracts.
DEFENSIBLE STRATEGY
A strategic plan grounded in real buyer validation.
CREDIBILITY
Direct access to enterprise decision-makers and MassChallenge partners.
FUNDRAISING ASSETS
A refined narrative and diligence-ready materials.
Now Accepting Applications
Open Program
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Open Program
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Open Program
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APPLICATIONS CLOSE JULY 9!
Your solution works. Now prove it can deliver in the real world. This is where founders close the gaps that stand between traction and scale. Initial applications take less than 10 minutes!
APPLICATIONS OPEN JUNE 11, 2026!
Learn more about the programs accepting applications and stay up-to-date on deadlines and new program launches.
KEY DATES
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Join a live virtual info session with the MassChallenge team! Register at the links below:
Featured Partners
Meet Brian Knouse, Co-Founder & CEO of OWL Integrations.
OWL Integrations builds wireless sensor and communication networks for complex environments, from disaster response in Puerto Rico to systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Brian will tell you that most startups don't get hundreds of millions out of the gate. When building in defense and resilience especially, getting to scale means building the right relationships early, with the partners and players who can actually move your technology forward.
That's what MassChallenge unlocked. The network, the introductions, the doors that opened — Brian says it was second to none. He's been back every time since, because in this sector, the right room changes everything.
Meet Katie Diasti, MC alum and Boston residency program member.
As founder and CEO, Katie shares her journey and commitment to making eco-friendly period products while becoming the go-to health education source for people with periods.
Katie shares how mentors and experts within the MassChallenge innovation ecosystem helped her hit the KPIs needed to prove that Viv was a brand with a product ready for the commercial market. Her products are sold in over 2,000 stores, including Wegmans and Stop & Shop.
Viv has received $1 million in funding, with some of its first investors coming from within the MassChallenge community.
From her start as a first-time founder to her experience now as a CEO of a hybrid team, Katie shares how she is an innovator tackling the critical challenges of earth-friendly, health-centered products.
Meet Katie Diasti, MC alum and Boston residency program member.
As founder and CEO, Katie shares her journey and commitment to making eco-friendly period products while becoming the go-to health education source for people with periods.
Katie shares how mentors and experts within the MassChallenge innovation ecosystem helped her hit the KPIs needed to prove that Viv was a brand with a product ready for the commercial market. Her products are sold in over 2,000 stores, including Wegmans and Stop & Shop.
Viv has received $1 million in funding, with some of its first investors coming from within the MassChallenge community.
From her start as a first-time founder to her experience now as a CEO of a hybrid team, Katie shares how she is an innovator tackling the critical challenges of earth-friendly, health-centered products.
FAQs
No. this is a no-cost, non-dilutive accelerator program, meaning there is no program fee and we don’t take equity.
Yes, travel is required for two key in-person events, including the Program Kick-Off Boston, MA in September and the Program Midpoint in Dallas, TX in October with an optional trip to Boston for the Dual-Use Symposium in November. See the program timeline for specific dates and additional details.
Yes, companies may be located outside the United States, but must be able to travel to the U.S. for required program events.
No, at this time, we do not provide travel reimbursement or stipends. All travel-related costs are self-funded.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
This is where serious security, resiliency, and dual-use founders close the gaps between early stage and the contracts, partners, and capital that matter. Initial applications take less than 10 minutes.