Five Interesting Things (that are not insurance)

Author

Nathan Therrien
January 06, 2025

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 a startup space yard sale, some newsworthy articles, including one about the fintech app Dave facing legal action, and a company highlight with Zavier Smith.

Event: Explore Tech Solutions with CTO Insights and Networking

Wednesday, January 8, 5:30-7:30 pm

Venture Lane, 55 Court St Floor 2, Boston, MA 02108

VentureLane invites founders to a unique evening of tech problem-solving and candid conversations. Whiskey, Wine, and Whiteboards offer an open forum to ask seasoned CTOs about stacks, talent, budgets, bugs, and other challenges. Gain valuable insights, advice, and answers to the questions you’ve hesitated to ask—while connecting with fellow innovators in a trusted, confidential space.

Event: Fuel Your Morning with B2B SaaS Innovation and Coffee in Boston

Wednesday, January 15, 9:00-11:00 am

Boston, MA

Forum Ventures and SVB are hosting a coffee meetup for early-stage B2B SaaS founders, investors, and operators. Connect with Forum's Managing Director Derek Bugley and explore industry insights over lattes and treats.

Event: Explore Innovation in Boston: SuperPowers, Startup Valuation, and AI Law

Thursday, January 16, 4:30-8:00 pm

Cambridge, MA

Venture Café Cambridge is hosting Boston's innovation community for an engaging evening on January 16, 2025. Join sessions on harnessing your unique strengths, understanding startup valuations, and navigating AI and privacy law. Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders shaping the future of innovation.

Event: Experience Boston's Startup Scene at Yard Sale @ Seaport

Thursday, January 16, 5:27-8:32 pm

Boston, MA

Launch Yard invites you to Yard Sale in Seaport, a dynamic showcase of Boston's most innovative startups. Engage with live product demos, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and immerse yourself in the vibrant waterfront atmosphere. Don't miss the grand finale, "Yard Sale: The Best Finds," where top startups compete to shape the future. Join us for an evening of innovation, networking, and inspiration in the heart of Boston's startup ecosystem.

Event: Sharpen Your Pitch and Style at Fit to Fundraise

Thursday, January 16

Fit to Fundraise is bringing Boston’s startup community together for an evening of networking, pitch practice, and style at Todd Snyder in Seaport on Jan. 16. Founders will gain feedback from mentors like Glasswing Ventures, F-Prime Capital, and Underscore VC, plus enjoy a style consultation and professional headshot. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with top investors and entrepreneurs!

Event: Exchange Growth Strategies and Insights with Series A & B Tech CEOs

Friday, January 17, 8:45-10:00 am

Join Stefania Mallett, Co-founder and former CEO of ezCater, Brittany Greenfield, CEO of Wabbi, and Sara Fraim, CEO of Mass Technology Leadership Council, for a peer roundtable. Share experiences, tackle challenges, and exchange insights in a supportive, investor-free space for growth-stage CEOs.

Article: Fintech App Dave Faces Legal Action Over Fraud Allegations

Dave, a fintech app popular for its finance services, faces legal trouble as the U.S. government files a complaint against the company and its CEO for allegedly misleading investors and consumers. The lawsuit raises significant concerns about regulatory oversight in the fast-growing fintech sector and the responsibility of leaders to ensure transparency and trust.

Article: Bench Set to Be Acquired After Sudden Shutdown

Bench, an accounting startup, is being acquired following its unexpected shutdown. The move comes after the company, which had faced challenges in the competitive fintech space, abruptly ceased operations. This acquisition raises questions about the sustainability of startups in the rapidly changing tech landscape and the pressures they face to stay afloat.

Bonus: Founder Spotlight: Zavier Smith of NeaterNotes

During my most recent podcast, I sat down with Zavier Smith, #founder and #CEO of #Boston area #startup NeaterNotes for a Founder Spotlight segment. NeaterNotes is a Boston-based startup that is solving the problem of digitizing notetaking by developing an online app designed to organize and digitize notes for #college students. In this clip, Zavier gives us the one-minute elevator pitch for the company, what problem Neaternotes is trying to solve, and how the company will solve it. Great stuff from someone who's in the trenches.

If you found the one-minute elevator clip interesting, check out the full podcast segment with Zavier in this next clip.

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.