Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)

Author

Nathan Therrien
April 14, 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 cofounder matching. We also have some newsworthy articles, including one about the shift in global innovation hubs, and a wildcard podcast with Chris Madden, founder of Stump.

Events:

Find the Right Cofounder at This Exclusive Networking Event

Monday, April 14, 5:30-7:00 pm

Burlington, MA

Looking for the perfect business partner? This Cofounder Matching event connects aspiring and established entrepreneurs through structured networking. Whether you have a #startup idea or want to join one, this is your chance to find the right fit.

Pitch Your Green Innovations at the Clean Green Challenge

Wednesday, April 16, 4:00-8:00 pm

UMass Lowell Innovation Hub - 110 Canal St, 3rd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852

Pitch your sustainability-focused startup and network with industry pros, investors, and innovators at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub. Hear from judges like Joseph Vaillancourt, Adarsh Sowcar, and Mark Vreeke as they evaluate groundbreaking solutions for a greener future. With prizes up for grabs, this is your chance to showcase your impact on the #sustainability ecosystem.

Scaling Climate Innovation with The Engine

Wednesday, April 16, 5:30-7:00 pm

The Engine – 750 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Dive into the challenges and breakthroughs of scaling hardware #startups at the Climate Salon with The Engine. Topics include biotech, decarbonizing heavy industry, alternative fuels, and more. Sponsored by MassMutual Ventures’ Climate Tech Fund and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, this event is all about pushing innovation forward.

Dive into AI Innovation at Ditch the Deck Demo Night

Wednesday, April 16, 6:00-8:03 pm

Ned Devine’s – 1 N Market St, Boston, MA 02109

Get ready for a fresh take on demo days at the DitchTheDeck event! Join technologists, developers, and innovators for a night filled with live AI product demos and no slides in sight. Enjoy a relaxed, social evening of pure #innovation and networking with fellow creators and enthusiasts in the #Boston area.

Discover Innovative Aging Solutions at UMass LIFT Presentation

Thursday, April 17, 4:30-8:00 pm

M2D2 – 110 Canal St, 4th Floor, Lowell, MA 01853

Check out the UMass LIFT networking event featuring the latest #innovation in aging and Alzheimer's research. Hear presentations from talented Fellows and insights from panelists like Ali Malihi, M.B.A., Proven CEO, COO, and Corporate Development Officer, Megan Hepler Blackwell, and Robert Garces PhD MBA. Expect an inspiring evening filled with new ideas, collaboration, and solutions shaping the future of healthcare.

Level Up Your Tech Career with AI Insights and Networking

Thursday, April 17, 5:00-6:00 pm

Venture Café – 1 Broadway, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join top experts in #Boston's #tech scene as they explore how AI is reshaping job roles and skills. Hear from David Anderson (engora.tech), Nicholas Lisac (InvoiceCloud, Inc.), Emma H. (Flywire), Elizabeth Hilfrank (Glasswing Ventures), and Steven Hecht (SharkNinja) on how AI is transforming the workplace and the must-have skills for career growth. Don’t miss out on this chance to network and stay ahead in the world of #AI!

Celebrate Deeptech Innovation and Networking at ven^x's Anniversary Event

Thursday, April 17, 5:30-8:30 pm

Boston, MA

Join investors, startups, and deeptech ecosystem leaders as ven^x celebrates its one-year anniversary. This event, supported by sponsors J.P. Morgan, Gunderson Dettmer, RightHand Robotics, Inc, TriNet, and NextAccel, offers a chance to connect over food, drinks, and valuable networking opportunities. Don’t miss out on meeting the people driving the future of deeptech.

Explore the Future of AI with Founders, Investors, and Experts

Thursday, April 24, 5:00-8:00 pm

Microsoft New England Research & Development Center – 1 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142

Get a front row seat to the next wave of #AI at the AI Startup Showcase hosted by Boston New Technology (BNT). The evening features a Town Hall with investors, operators, and experts unpacking trends in generative models, ethics, and scaling #startups. Stick around for live demos from six early-stage teams building in NLP, computer vision, and more with pizza and plenty of networking.

Pitch Live, Get Feedback, and Level Up at Batter Up!

Thursday, April 24, 6:00-9:00 pm

Boston, MA

Join #founders as they pitch live to a panel of investors from Hustle Fund’s Angel Squad at Batter Up Boston. This in-person event offers real-time feedback, networking, and insights into the fundraising process. Presented by Hustle Fund, with support from Nelson Mullins and Fidelity Private Shares, it's a night of startup growth and community.

Fireside Chat on AI, Fintech, and Go-To-Market Strategy with Katy Nelson from a16z

Friday, April 25, 3:00-4:00 pm

Boylston Hall – Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard WiE is hosting a fireside chat with Katy Nelson, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and Go to Market lead for fintech, enterprise, and American Dynamism. With nearly 20 years of experience, Katy will dive into how AI is reshaping go-to-market strategies and helping #startups scale in regulated industries. A great chance to hear insights from one of the top GTM minds and meet other founders, operators, and future #entrepreneurs.

Walk Newbury with Startup Founders, Investors, and Operators

Monday, April 28, 5:00-6:00 pm

Boston, MA

Walk #17 brings together #startup founders, operators, and investors for a casual loop from Newbury Street to the Esplanade, ending with drinks. Hosted by Mass Technology Leadership Council, it’s a relaxed way to swap ideas and catch up with others in the community.

Articles:

General Catalyst Eyes IPO, Reshaping VC Playbook

General Catalyst is planning a bold move to become the first major venture capital firm to go public. The potential IPO signals a shift in how VCs think about scale, permanence, and influence as firms explore new ways to stay competitive amid economic shifts and tighter fundraising cycles.

Quantum Computing Startup QuEra Raises $230M to Scale Up

Boston-based quantum computing startup QuEra just secured $230 million in Series B funding, one of the largest recent rounds in the sector. Backed by investors including @Prosperity7 and @In-Q-Tel, the funding will help QuEra expand access to its quantum systems and accelerate development of more advanced computing platforms. The round signals growing interest in next-gen computing despite broader VC pullbacks.

Startup Ecosystem Rankings Reveal Shifts in Global Innovation Hubs

The latest global startup ecosystem ranking puts the US in the lead, with the Bay Area, New York, and Los Angeles taking the top three spots. But London, Paris, and Singapore remain strong contenders, with several Asian and European cities climbing in the ranks. The report highlights how talent, funding, and connectedness are reshaping where innovation thrives around the world.

Wild Card:

🚨 Founder Spotlight 🚨 Founder Spotlight 🚨

Stump is on a mission to Democratize Democracy!! Check out how #founder Chris Madden is going to improve local government (boy do we need it). In the most recent episode of my Pop-Up Podcast, Stump founder Chris Madden joined me to talk about his startup journey.

In the clip, Chris gives the two-minute elevator pitch on the mission to improve local government through Stump.

This 2nd clip has the entire interview with Chris

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.