Startups Eligibility Guidelines
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.
What are Industry Tracks?
Operating within the MassChallenge Early Stage program, Industry Tracks leverage MassChallenge's infrastructure to surface and connect select early-stage startups to specialized resources and curriculum. Startups interested in participating will be invited to apply to specific tracks upon their acceptance into the EarlyStage program. Startups DO NOT need to be in any of these industries to apply to MassChallenge. Industry Tracks are simply an option. In 2022, our tracks include:
Safety and Security
Startups with a direct or potential relevance to national security and public safety challenges, also known as “dual-use” application in the commercial and governmental/military sectors. This year’s Safety and Security track will include a blue tech focus for those working on undersea technologies and innovations.
Space Commercialization
Startups ushering in the next era of space innovation with technologies across human health, performance, recovery, materials science, analytics, advanced manufacturing, and robotics that have an application in space.
Climate Solutions
Startups with technologies that impact GHG emissions and similar climate challenges.
"If you asked me in 2016 if I thought that NASA would be one of our bigger funders or partners, the answer would have been no. Not because I could not imagine it, but because there was no direct path to doing any of that research.”
Dr. Nicole Wagner, President and CEO
"Our mentors really pushed us to take the next step with our company. As MassChallenge grows, they have a bigger and bigger network that we can leverage. Making that step and seeing the impact our product had was incredible."
Erin Keaney, COO of Nonspec, Boston Cohort 2017