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 Techstars Fall 2024 Demo Day, some newsworthy articles, including one about early startup salaries, and a look into Shark Tank Pitch Night hosted by Silicon Valley Bank.

Event: Celebrate Innovation: Techstars Boston Demo Day is Here!

Tuesday, December 10, 4:00-5:30 pm

Techstars Boston invites you to Demo Day Fall 2024, showcasing 11 cutting-edge companies graduating from their accelerator program. See live presentations from founders who are shaping the future of their industries. Connect with visionary leaders, explore groundbreaking ideas, and celebrate innovation at this live-streamed event.

Event: Experience Innovation with Live Pitches and Big Ideas in Point-of-Care

Wednesday, December 11, 3:00-7:30 pm

Mintz, 1 Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

M2D2 is bringing together New England’s brightest innovators for Barracuda Bowl 2024. Watch five startups pitch groundbreaking point-of-care technologies to a panel of investors in a "Shark Tank" style showdown. Discover cutting-edge solutions like predictive AI for cardiopulmonary care, fabric-based EKG monitoring, and next-gen blood sample processing. Network with investors, innovators, and experts shaping the future of healthcare. Don’t miss it!

Event: Biosecurity Talks, Networking, and Pizza with Top Experts!

Wednesday, December 11, 5:30-8:30 pm

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. and SecureBio host an evening of lightning talks, networking, and pizza at Ginkgo's Seaport space. Hear from experts like Alexandra Simas, Al Ozonoff PhD CPPS, Simon Grimm, and Justin Hart. Connect with peers and explore exciting biosecurity innovations!

Event: Celebrate the Season with Venture Lane’s Blue Hour: Founders, Mentors & Festive Cheer!

Wednesday, December 11, 5:30-8:00 pm

Venture Lane | Startup Hub, 55 Court St, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02108

Venture Lane | Startup Hub is hosting a special holiday edition of Blue Hour, bringing together 70+ founders, mentors, and investors for a night of connection and cheer. Rock your best (or ugliest!) Christmas sweater to join the fun. Don’t miss this chance to expand your network and celebrate the season with Boston’s entrepreneurial community!

Event: Explore the Future of AI with Boston Generative AI Meetup

Thursday, December 12, 6:00-8:30 pm

Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, 1 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA

The Boston Generative AI Meetup will feature insights from Stephen WolframLior DivAndrew Amann, and Roi Carmel. Attend the panel discussions, network with AI leaders, and explore how generative AI is driving innovation.

Event: Unwind, Connect, and Sip: A Night with Wine Yard 🎉🍷

Thursday, December 12, 6:45-9:15 pm

Launch Yard is bringing together the bold and caffeinated for a night of connections, icebreakers, and boxed wine. Expect great company, good vibes, and the chance to toast your wins. RSVP for all the details—don’t miss it!

Event: Celebrate Boston's Startup Community with Networking, Showcases & Surprises!

Friday, December 13, 5:00-8:00 pm

Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, 1 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA

Prepare 4 VC and Boston New Technology (BNT) invite you to an evening filled with connection, celebration, and innovation. Celebrate Prepare 4 VC's Breakthrough Cohort graduation, catch the "Best of Boston 2024" BNT Startup Showcase, and enjoy exciting surprises. Network with #Boston’s #startup, tech, and innovation community while closing the year with purpose and fun.

Event: Unlock Angel Investor Insights: Build Stronger Connections to Boost Your Startup!

Tuesday, December 17, 4:00-5:30 pm

Silicon Valley Bank, 53 State Street, Boston, MA 02109

Silicon Valley Bank and Fidelity Private Shares are bringing founders and investors together to explore angel investing. Join curated discussions on finding the right angels, building lasting relationships, and maximizing their support. Don't miss this chance to expand your network and fuel your growth!

Event: Celebrate AI Innovation with Founders and Builders at 186HQ!

Wednesday, December 18, 5:30-7:30 pm

186 Ventures is hosting Boston’s AI community for a night of networking, drinks, and pizza. Connect with founders, developers, operators, and builders in AI as they share insights and demos. Whether deep in AI or just exploring, this is your chance to connect with key players shaping the industry's future. Don’t miss out on this final meetup of the year!

Article: SpaceX Eyes $350B Valuation Amidst Growth Momentum

SpaceX, the trailblazing aerospace giant, is set to achieve a $350 billion valuation, solidifying its position as the world's most valuable startup. This milestone reflects SpaceX's dominance in commercial space exploration and expanding satellite internet business through Starlink, driving investor enthusiasm for its visionary growth.

Article: Early Startup Salaries: What Founders Are Paying

According to recent data, seed-stage startups are setting competitive benchmarks for early employee salaries, with founders paying between $132K and $149K. These figures show how startups balance talent acquisition with lean operations, reflecting the evolving dynamics of early-stage hiring trends.

Bonus: Shark Tank Pitch Night Recap

Check out the link for more about #Boston Shark Tank Pitch Night hosted by Silicon Valley Bank with the Babson Acceleration Club.

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.