Five Interesting Things (that are not insurance)

I’m Nathan Therrien, founder of Business Insurance & Benefits Services of MA, the go-to resource for #startups on all things insurance.

I spend a lot of time discussing insurance and employee benefits for startups, but there are other things people would rather hear about. So, I started a newsletter—a quick read covering five things and a few more that are a little more interesting than insurance.

This week, we have some cool startup events, including Mass Professional Networking - Coaching, Content and Events holiday networking night, some newsworthy articles, including one about founders’ spending habits, and a special company spotlight.

Event: Discover Boston AI: Real Talk, Demos, and Debate with Leading Experts!

Monday, December 2, 6:30-9:00 pm

Cambridge, MA

The GenAI Collective is hosting Boston’s AI community for a night of quick demos, sharp insights, and open discussions. Hear from 4 AI leaders in lightning talks, dive into debates on the hottest topics, and connect with founders, engineers, and product experts shaping the future of tech. Whether building, implementing, or exploring AI, this is your chance to engage and learn.

Event: Scale Your Startup and Connect with Experts to Accelerate Growth

Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30 pm

Venture Café, 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join Startup Boston, CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), and local founders for an event to connect with experts and service providers. Expand your network, get 1:1 advice, and access resources to help grow your startup. Don’t miss this chance to unlock valuable support for your business!

Event: Attend Boston's Holiday Business Networking Night

Tuesday, December 3, 6:00-8:00 pm

Hue Boston, 90 Exeter St, Boston, MA 02116

Mass Professional Networking - Coaching, Content and Events invites you to the Holiday Boston Business Networking & Social Event at Hue Boston! Whether you’re growing your network, seeking business leads, or just meeting new people, this event is for you. Bring your business cards and make valuable connections.

Event: Exploring AI and Biotech – Network with Experts, Innovators, and Thought Leaders

Wednesday, December 4, 5:30-7:30 pm

1 Broadway, 7th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join CAMentrepreneurs and Æthos for an evening exploring how AI is revolutionizing biotech! Hear from experts in human genomics, biotech venture capital, and biomedical research, followed by a networking mixer. Connect with professionals and discover how AI is reshaping the future of technology and life sciences!

Event: Engineering Customer Success at Formlabs: Network, Learn, and Engage with Industry Experts!

Thursday, December 5, 6:30-9:00 pm

22 McGrath Hwy, Ste 201, Somerville, MA 02143

Join Formlabs for the 54th Boston Hardware Meetup focused on sustaining engineering and its role in customer success. Hear from Casey Goulet, Sustaining Engineering Manager at Formlabs, as he shares insights on how his team drives customer success by resolving product issues. Connect with fellow professionals, enjoy guest speakers, and participate in an open mic session. Whether you want to learn more about sustaining engineering or network with industry experts, this event offers plenty of engaging opportunities.

Event: Celebrate Innovation at Generate’s Fall 2024 Showcase

Thursday, December 5, 7:00-9:00 pm

Curry Student Center, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Generate Product Development, Northeastern University's student-led product development studio invites you to their Fall 2024 Showcase! Discover groundbreaking projects and meet the teams shaping the future of entrepreneurship. Attend in person for live presentations, hands-on tabling sessions, and refreshments, or join virtually to catch the live stream. Hosted by the The Michael J. and Ann Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education, this event celebrates creativity, collaboration, and innovation—don’t miss it!

Event: Discover Innovative Solutions for Aging & Alzheimer's at the UMass LIFT Program Showcase

Thursday, December 5, 4:00-8:00 pm

UMass Lowell iHub, 110 Canal St, Lowell, MA 01852

The University of Massachusetts Lowell LIFT Program’s fall cohort will showcase their innovative approaches to Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease at a networking event in Lowell. Connect with researchers, industry professionals, and investors to explore cutting-edge solutions and advancements in biotech and MedTech. Be part of the movement shaping the future of aging-related healthcare.

Event: Connect with Growth-Stage Tech Leaders

Friday, December 6, 8:45-10:00 am

CEOs of Series A and B companies, this one's for you! Join Brittany Greenfield (Wabbi), Chris Comparato (former CEO of Toast), and Sara Fraim (Mass Technology Leadership Council) for an exclusive gathering tailored to your leadership journey. Share insights, tackle growth-stage challenges, and connect with peers in a supportive, no-pressure environment—no investors, no pitches, just meaningful conversations.

Event: Discover the Future of AI: Connect, Learn, and Share at Boston Demo Night!

Saturday, December 7, 2:00-4:30 pm

Cambridge, MA

The GenAI Collective invites you to Boston Demo Night—a showcase of cutting-edge AI projects and a hub for connecting with innovators. Dive into live demos, provide feedback to founders, and network with the local AI community. Whether you're here to pitch, learn, or connect, this event is your chance to engage with the best in Generative AI.

Article: Founders’ Spending Habits Spark Seed VC Interest

Early-stage founders are catching investors’ attention with unexpected moves, from hiring high-salaried executive assistants to splurging on unconventional expenses. This trend highlights how unique strategies can signal bold ambition and drive competitive funding in today’s startup landscape.

Article: Low Liquidity Drives Bold Moves

As liquidity remains tight, companies like Nielsen and Antler are doubling down on strategic investments, navigating the market with a focus on long-term growth. Their approach reflects confidence in weathering current economic challenges while positioning for future success in a more competitive landscape.

Company Spotlight: Baseline Tech

Naman Gupta is the Co-Founder of BaselineTech, a #Boston based startup company that is solving the problem of making snowboarding more accessible and less expensive to snowboarders by developing next-gen snowboard simulators. Baseline Tech is bringing slopes to the city with this innovative new technology.

#Boston based #startup company Baseline Tech will be holding its first Demo Day to showcase its snowboard simulators to the public. In this clip, company co-founder Naman Gupta announces the event happening at Northeastern University's Curry Student Center on December 5th. The link to the event is https://lu.ma/5kdvfmi2

If you are a local #snowboarder in Boston, you'll want to check it out. Baseline Tech is bringing slopes to the city with this innovative new technology.

Thanks for spending five minutes with me!

If you’d like to spend more time with me, check out Nate’s Pop-Up Podcast, follow my company, Business Insurance & Benefits Services of MA, on LinkedIn, or reach out through my website for help with all things insurance and benefits for startups.