Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)

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 Boston tech walk. We also have some newsworthy articles, including one about fintech funding, and a wildcard featuring information about the robotics summit and expo.

Events:

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.

Celebrate Connections and Community in Central Square

Tuesday, April 29, 6:00-9:00 pm

La Fabrica – 450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Keep the energy going with another night of networking, laughter, and good company in Central Square, Cambridge. Meet #startup founders, innovators, and local leaders while enjoying a relaxed evening surrounded by the #Boston community. Come hang out, swap ideas, and soak in the great vibes.

Explore AI-Powered Healthcare with Visionary Leaders

Wednesday, April 30, 5:30-8:00 pm

Boston, MA

Get inspired by digital health breakthroughs at Health2Tech in #Boston, featuring Dr. Amir Lahav, founder and CEO of SkyMedAI. Hear his talk on “Vision 2030” and dive into the future of human-AI collaboration in healthcare. Hosted in partnership with C10 Labs, this evening brings together healthcare innovators and tech leaders for networking and fresh ideas.

Explore Agentic AI and Meet the Minds Behind the Movement

Wednesday, April 30, 6:00-8:30 pm

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

The #Boston Generative AI Meetup returns with a spotlight on agentic AI and real-world implementation. Hear from Gregory Raiz of FoundersEdge, Dan Slagen of Tomorrow.io, and James Garfield of EnFi, Inc as they unpack how agentic systems are reshaping automation and decision-making. Stick around for networking, tech talks, and conversations that dive deep into the future of #AI.

Meet the Social Impact Startups Backed by CIC and Startup Boston

Thursday, May 1, 9:30-11:30 am

Cambridge, MA

CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)’s Social Impact Cohort is spotlighting high-potential #startups led by historically underserved entrepreneurs. This curated investor meetup by Startup Boston is all about targeted networking, matching funders with founders in Pre-Seed to Series A stages. If you're aligned on impact and innovation, this is an opportunity to discover the next big thing.

Meet Top Robotics Companies and Hiring Leaders at the MassRobotics Career Fair

Thursday, May 1, 3:30-5:30 pm

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Explore new career opportunities with leading robotics companies at the MassRobotics Career Fair, co-located with the Robotics Summit & Expo at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Connect with hiring teams from #startup innovators to industry leaders and learn about open roles in engineering, AI, vision, and more. Presented by MassRobotics, this event offers direct access to top employers shaping the future of robotics.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mendoza Ventures

Monday, May 5, 5:00-7:00 pm

207 Newbury St, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the tech community at Mendoza Ventures. Hear from speakers including Adrian Mendoza, Adam Kerr, Aymbré Paige, Esther Afrane Pallen, Enrique Sanchez Padilla, Reda Mekouar, Mohammed Kamal, and Christopher Alemán. Enjoy an evening of networking across #venturecapital, #ai, #cybersecurity, #fintech, and #femalefunders.

Elevate Your Fundraising Strategy with Top Investors and Founders

Tuesday, May 6, 10:00-12:00 pm

Boston, MA

Learn fundraising strategies from leading investors like Samara Gordon of Hyperplane, Gabrielle McCarthy of Underscore VC, and Jadyn Bryden of Xfund at an exclusive #Boston breakfast hosted by Foundess, Foley & Lardner LLP, and Girls Into VC. Hear insights on metrics to track, relationship-building, and preparing for investor meetings. Meet other #startup founders and gain insider advice in a supportive, energizing setting.

Spring is in the air, and so is the energy of the Core Community!

Tuesday, May 6, 5:00-8:00 pm

Boston, MA

The Core Community is gathering for the Underscore VC Core Spring Social, bringing together #Boston entrepreneurs, startup builders, and community supporters for an evening of conversations and collaboration. Meet familiar faces, make new connections, and exchange ideas with the people shaping bold B2B software ventures. Hosted by Underscore VC, it’s a night to celebrate community and springtime energy.

Boost Your Cybersecurity Knowledge at the Massachusetts Municipal Summit

Thursday, May 8, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

DCU Convention Center - 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA 01608

Learn how to recognize emerging threats and strengthen your defenses at the Massachusetts Municipal Cybersecurity Summit hosted by MassCyberCenter. Attend collaborative workshops, hear the latest strategies for municipalities, and level up your cybersecurity awareness with experts leading the charge.

Discover the Next Wave of Innovation at QUBIC Spring 2025

Friday, May 9, 4:00-7:30 pm

Fidelity Investments - Boston, MA

Get a first look at 11 groundbreaking #startups pitching high-impact solutions at QUBIC Spring 2025, hosted in collaboration with Fidelity Investments. Meet #founders, network with investors, and explore emerging investment opportunities in a fast-paced, high-energy setting. Enjoy an evening of innovation, networking, and fresh ideas shaping the future.

Dive into AI Innovation at the Generative AI X Summit

Tuesday, May 13, 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Connect with top minds in #AI and #datascience at the Generative AI X Summit, co-located with ODSC East. Hear from leaders driving innovation across industries, explore the future of generative AI, and network with executives, scientists, and innovators shaping what’s next. Check out confirmed speakers and details at Open Data Science Conference (ODSC).

Meet GenAI Enthusiasts at AI Woodstock Boston

Tuesday, May 13, 5:30-7:30 pm

Time Out Market Boston

Meet GenAI enthusiasts and #AI professionals at AI Woodstock Boston, a free networking event organized by Paul Baier of GAI Insights and AI Blueprint for MA. Connect with innovators driving the next wave of generative AI and explore the energy shaping the future of tech. Enjoy an evening of conversations and collaboration with the #Boston AI community.

Pitch Night with AI Startups and Global Investors

Wednesday, May 28, 5:30-8:30 pm

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

Watch 10 top AI startups compete at the Datamellon AI Ignite Pitch Battle in #Boston. This event brings together developers, investors, and #founders for fast-paced pitches, live demos, and networking. With a $100k prize on the line and support from AWS, it’s a big night for innovation in the AI space.

Articles:

Seven Biotech Startups Land New Home in Worcester

Seven biotech startups are joining the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives incubator in Worcester, gaining access to lab space, mentorship, and growth resources. The expansion highlights Worcester’s push to strengthen its biotech scene and support early-stage innovation across the region.

Fintech Funding Rebounds with 19 Startups Topping $50M

Nineteen U.S. fintech startups have already raised over $50 million each in 2025, highlighting a strong rebound in fintech funding. Despite broader market uncertainty, investors are showing renewed confidence in the sector, especially in areas like payments, lending, and banking infrastructure.

Boston HR Tech Startups Shake Up Hiring

Boston’s HR tech scene is heating up, with five startups leading the way. From transforming hiring practices to building better employee experiences, these companies are changing how businesses attract and retain talent in a competitive market.

Wild Card:

April 30 - May 1, 2025

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

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.