Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)

Author

Nathan Therrien
February 17, 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 product design happy hour with Onshape by PTC, some newsworthy articles, including one about Thomson Reuters, and a wildcard for preseed startups.

Events:

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.

Connect with Boston’s Product Design Community at Onshape’s Happy Hour

Thursday, February 20, 6:00-8:00 pm

121 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA

Join Onshape by PTC Product Design Happy Hour on Feb. 20 for networking, insights, and live discussions on the future of design. Hear from Reframe Systems and explore Onshape’s latest innovations over drinks and bites. RSVP now!

Discover South Station Tower with Boston’s Startup Community

Thursday, February 20, 5:30-7:30 pm

Get an inside look at South Station Tower while connecting with founders, investors, and ecosystem partners. Hear from Hines, CBRE, and Ritz-Carlton Residences, and take advantage of free social media clips from media partners. Thanks to our sponsors, including Citizens, Gunderson Dettmer, and Bully Boy Distillers, for the food and drinks!

Celebrate Black Innovation at the Collaboration Pitch Event

Thursday, February 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

Cambridge, MA

In honor of Black History Month, the Collaboration Pitch Event offers Black entrepreneurs a space to refine pitches, gain feedback, and build confidence. Hosted by the Hult African Business Club, this event helps founders sharpen their message for investors, customers, and competitions. Stay after to network with mentors, founders, and collaborators. Don’t miss this chance to amplify your business and grow your network!

Connect with Biologics Experts Over Brews at LabCentral

Thursday, February 20, 4:00-7:00 pm

700 Main St, Cambridge, MA

Biologics and Brews brings together professionals in biologic drug development to network and gain insights over drinks at LabCentral. Join Thermo Fisher Scientific's Elena Vasilieva Gontarz for a brief talk on accelerating biologics development and connect with industry peers to discuss the latest trends from discovery to clinical manufacturing. Don’t miss this chance to exchange ideas in a relaxed setting!

Explore the Future of Fintech at MIT Sloan’s Flagship Conference

Friday, February 21

MIT Samberg Conference Center

The MIT Sloan FinTech Conference brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and founders to explore the latest in fintech innovation. Join us at the MIT Samberg Conference Center to discuss ML-driven fintech infrastructure, stablecoins, open banking, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with key players shaping the future of finance!

Experience Live Startup Demos at Boston’s Top Tech Meet-Up

Tuesday, February 25, 6:00-8:30 pm

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

No slides, just innovation! Ditch the Deck brings Boston’s tech community together for live product demos and networking. Connect with founders, developers, and technologists while exploring game-changing ideas. Want to demo? Apply here.

Connect with Massachusetts’ Climatetech Leaders and Innovators

Tuesday, February 25, 5:30-7:30 pm

50 Prescott St, 1st Floor, Worcester, MA 01605

Join the MA Climatetech Convenings series to explore the state's growing climatetech ecosystem. Whether you’re a founder seeking resources, an investor searching for the next big thing, or someone with expertise to share, this is your chance to network and learn. Meet ambitious entrepreneurs, discover funding opportunities, and dive into the future of climate and sustainability. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the climatetech revolution!

Connect with HealthTech Innovators at BNT’s Startup Showcase

Wednesday, February 26, 5:00-8:00 pm

Boston New Technology (BNT)'s HealthTech Startup Showcase kicks off Feb. 26 at Microsoft NERD. Meet founders, investors, and industry leaders as top startups present biotech, digital health, and AI-driven diagnostics breakthroughs. The night features BNT’s Town Hall, networking, and plenty of pizza.

Build Lasting Relationships with Mentors and Founders at Startup Boston’s Exclusive Event

Wednesday, February 26, 5:30-7:00 pm

Boston, MA

Join Startup Boston for a mentorship event where early-stage entrepreneurs meet experienced mentors in small group discussions. Founders can ask questions, gain insights, and build valuable relationships with mentors and peers. Apply today to secure your spot!

Master Advanced AI Agent Orchestration at Boston’s Cloud & AI Meetup

Wednesday, February 26, 5:30-6:00 pm

Microsoft, 5 Wayside Road, Burlington, MA 01803

Dive into the world of intelligent AI at Boston Healthcare Cloud & AI Technology Community Meetup. Learn how to enhance your AI applications by understanding agentic AI, orchestrating semantic-aware functions, and applying insights from Microsoft Research. Gain practical tools to create adaptive, enterprise-grade AI assistants and innovate with confidence. Don't miss out—secure your free ticket today!

Build High-Impact Connections at Venture Lane's Blue Hour for B2B Tech Founders

Thursday, February 27, 5:30-7:30 pm

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

Join B2B tech founders at Venture Lane | Startup Hub's Blue Hour for a relaxed, engaging evening of valuable networking and insightful discussions. Participate in an interactive activity to provide actionable takeaways while fostering meaningful connections. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and level up your startup!

Discover the Next Big Thing at Yard Sale @ Harvard

Cambridge, MA

Join Launch Yard yard sale at Harvard University, where ambition and innovation collide. Watch Harvard’s best and Boston’s brightest pitch their startups and compete in Yard Sale: The Best Finds. Whether you’re pitching, networking, or scouting talent, opportunities are made here!

Articles:

Thomson Reuters Sues AI Firm Over Copyrighted Content

Thomson Reuters has filed a lawsuit against an AI company, accusing it of using copyrighted news articles without permission to train its models. The case adds to the growing legal battles over AI and intellectual property, as media organizations oppose using their content in training data. The outcome could set a precedent for how AI firms access and use copyrighted material.

EU Drops ePrivacy Reform to Focus on AI and Competitiveness

The EU has abandoned its long-debated ePrivacy reform, shifting its focus toward boosting competitiveness and expanding data access for AI development. The decision reflects growing concerns over regulatory barriers to innovation as the bloc looks to position itself as a leader in AI. Critics warn that scrapping the reform could weaken privacy protections for users across Europe.

New VC Firm Aims to Rebuild Startup Trust Amid Market Shifts

Taver Capital is launching with a mission to restore trust between startups and investors. Following a period of market uncertainty and shifting funding dynamics, the firm plans to focus on transparent deal structures and founder-friendly terms, addressing concerns that have strained VC-startup relationships. The move comes as entrepreneurs seek more reliable funding partners in a challenging investment landscape.

Wild Card:

Some Do’s and Don’ts for Preseed startups.

Recently, I conducted an interview on my Pop-Up podcast with Charlie Pascal, founder of Pascal Advisory. During my talk with Charlie, I asked, ‘What are three things that a new startup just getting started should be doing, and what are three things they shouldn’t?’ Here are the primary takeaways from Charlie on the topic.

·      Incorporate Early

·      Assign Intellectual Property Rights to the company

·      Build a Board Early

·      Don’t void skipping vesting restrictions

·      Be cautious with your early equity distribution

·      Don’t go it alone

Check out the article and learn more about the dos and don’ts of creating a startup!

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.