- Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup space)
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- Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)
Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)
Nathan Therrien
February 03, 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 at Babson College, some newsworthy articles, including one about spotting toxic investors, and a special wildcard with Charlie Pascal!
Event: Scale Your Startup with $25K & Expert Mentorship at Unusual Ventures
Tuesday, February 4, 5:30-7:30 pm
Cambridge, MA
Join Unusual Ventures in Cambridge on Feb. 4 to learn about the 2025 University Founder Fellowship. Connect with Lars Albright, Niamh O'Donnell, and Tyler Crown, gain expert insights, and network with student founders. Don’t miss this chance to grow your startup with $25K in funding and hands-on support!
Event: Network with Digital Health Innovators and AI Leaders
Tuesday, February 4, 6:00-8:30 pm
Boston, MA
Connect with top minds in digital health and AI at an exclusive Boston event on Feb. 4. Join Dr. Amir Lahav, CEO of SkyMedAI, and hear Danny Sands, MD, MPH speak on "Driving the Future: The Symbiotic Evolution of Digital Health and the e-Patient." Enjoy an evening of networking, insights, and collaboration with healthcare professionals, startup founders, and investors shaping the future of health tech.
Event: Build, Collaborate, and Innovate with Code for Boston
Tuesday, February 4, 7:00-9:30 pm
Cambridge Innovation Center, 4th Floor, 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
Code for Boston’s hybrid meetups are back! Connect with civic tech enthusiasts, developers, and designers every other Tuesday in person at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) or online. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned contributor, join project breakout rooms and collaborate on impactful tech solutions. Virtual-only weeks? Grab a spot in CIC’s lobby and log in with free Wi-Fi. Don’t miss a chance to innovate and make a difference in your community.
Wednesday, February 5, 4:00-6:30 pm
The Engine, 750 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Join Tough Tech leaders for an evening of networking and insights. Foundation Alloy CEO Jake Guglin shares how he leveraged equipment financing to scale, with expertise from CSC Leasing and ven^x. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and conversations with leaders shaping the future of Tough Tech.
Event: Raise a Glass to Life Sciences Innovation at Boston Portal Pours
Wednesday, February 5, 5:00-8:00 pm
Portal Innovations, 135 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125
Celebrate the start of a new year with the life sciences community at Boston Portal Pours. Network with local professionals, enjoy drinks and light bites, and explore cutting-edge innovation with lab space tours. Hosted by Portal Innovations, LLC, this laid-back event is the perfect way to connect and kick-off 2025.
Event: Fireside Chat with Biotech Innovators at CIC
Wednesday, February 5, 5:30-7:30 pm
CIC Cambridge, 5th Floor
1 Broadway. Cambridge, MA 02142
Join for a fireside chat with Jeb Keiper, CEO of Nimbus Therapeutics, moderated by Nimita Dave. Hosted by TINS: Technology Innovation Studio, this event at CIC Cambridge is a great chance to connect with biotech leaders and gain insights into innovation and leadership.
Event: Join Climatetech Leaders at Greentown Labs
Thursday, February 6, 5:30-7:30 pm
Greentown Labs, 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Start the year with the climatetech community at Greentown Labs’ first EnergyBar of 2025! Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders as we expand the regional climatetech network. Don’t miss this evening of networking and collaboration with the innovators driving the future of sustainable technology.
Event: Explore AI Innovation with Boston’s Generative AI Leaders
Thursday, February 6, 6:00-8:30 pm
Microsoft New England Research and Development Center
1 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA
Connect with AI enthusiasts and industry trailblazers at the Boston Generative AI Meetup on Feb. 6. Hear from visionary panelists like Jessica Lynch (FoundersEdge), Jonathan Taylor (Water Bear Ventures), Kara Peterson (descrybe.ai), and James Kirk (Hunt Club) as they discuss transformative AI advancements shaping the future of business. Don’t miss this evening of insights, networking, and collaboration with Boston’s AI community!
Event: Explore Innovations in Sustainability at Greentown Labs’ Climate Salon
Tuesday, February 11, 5:30-7:30 pm
Greentown Labs, 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Rethink sustainability and our planetary impact at Greentown Labs’ Climate Salon. This event dives into innovations that help mitigate and adapt to challenges in urban development, biodiversity, water, energy, and agriculture. Connect with climatetech leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators driving solutions for a more sustainable future.
Event: Kick Off 2025 with Biotech Connections and the New England Free Jacks
Tuesday, February 11, 6:00-9:00 pm
La Fabrica, 450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Start the year with biotech colleagues and friends at an exciting networking event hosted by the New England Free Jacks® and Alloy Therapeutics, Inc.. Get up close with the Free Jacks and enter a special raffle featuring VIP tickets, grandstand group packages, and exclusive championship merchandise. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and celebrate the start of 2025 with the biotech community!
Event: Celebrate FinTech Innovation at MassChallenge’s 2025 Reception
Wednesday, February 12, 4:00-6:00 pm
MassChallenge HQ, 10 Fan Pier Blvd, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02210
Join for the 2025 MassChallenge FinTech Kickoff & Networking Reception. Meet this year’s accelerator cohort, network with industry leaders, and explore new opportunities in fintech. It’s a night to build connections and drive innovation in the financial services space.
Event: Discover the Next Big Thing at Yard Sale @ Babson
Wednesday, February 12, 5:27-8:32 pm
Wellesley, MA
See BOW’s brightest innovators at Yard Sale at Babson College. Whether you’re demoing, scouting talent, or just soaking in the spirit, this is your VIP pass to the next big thing. Don’t miss the grand finale, Yard Sale: The Best Finds, where top thinkers face off for the next billion-dollar idea.
Event: Scaling Success in Drug Discovery and Sales: Key Sessions to Drive Growth
Thursday, February 13, 4:30-8:00 pm
Come and join Venture Café Cambridge Scaling Success sessions tackling key drug discovery and sales topics, from understanding the latest in scientific connections to mastering B2B outreach. Learn how to successfully navigate Africa's dynamic markets and grow your business with insights from experts and leading innovators.
Thursday, February 13, 1:00-6:30 pm
53 State St, Boston, MA
Join Sarah Hodges of Pillar VC, Greg Dracon of .406 Ventures, and other experts at VentureFizz's Startup Fundraising Conference. At this invite-only event, you can learn from top investors and entrepreneurs and network with founders.
Event: Connect with AI Growth and Builder Leaders at C10 Labs Event
Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 pm
Cambridge, MA
Join C10 Labs and the MGMT Boston Operators Club for an evening of networking and hands-on working groups for growth-stage AI buyers and early-stage builders. Engage with industry leaders and collaborate on the future of AI.
A new report highlights the risks of partnering with toxic investors, with many founders sharing their experiences of being misled or pressured into unfavorable terms. As the startup landscape becomes more competitive, choosing the right investors has never been more crucial for sustainable growth and success.
Article: VCs in Crisis Mode Over DeepSeek’s Struggles
Venture capitalists with significant stakes in DeepSeek are entering crisis mode as the company faces mounting challenges. VCs are scrambling to manage their investments amid a rapidly shifting market landscape, raising concerns about the long-term viability of startups with similar business models.
Article: Cliff Rucker Launches New Entrepreneurship Hub in Central Mass
Cliff Rucker, owner of the Worcester Railers, has launched a new entrepreneurship hub in Central Massachusetts to support local startups and businesses. The initiative brings together a network of resources to foster innovation and growth, offering a range of services and mentorship opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.
Wild Card:
I have added something new to my podcast, the community member spotlight. In this podcast episode, I sit down with Charlie Pascal of Pascal Advisory. Pascal Advisory is a legal and advisory practice supporting the startup community in Boston. This clip from the full interview is Charlie's 3-minute elevator pitch introducing Pascal Advisory.
Check out the rest of the interview on my channel, including a special offer from Charlie.
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.
