Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)

Author

Nathan Therrien
March 24, 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 Cleantech Open kickoff party. We also have some newsworthy articles, including one about Orion Security’s new investments and a wildcard about directors & officers insurance.

Events:

Build Your Cleantech Venture with Cleantech Open Northeast

Tuesday, March 25, 5:00-7:00 pm

Greentown Boston – 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Kick off the season with Cleantech Open Northeast at Greentown Labs for an evening of networking, insights, and opportunity. Learn how the accelerator program has helped startups raise over $2B and hear from alumni like Julie Bliss Mullen of Aclarity and Jyotsna Budideti of xFarm Technologies. Connect with mentors, investors, and innovators shaping the future of cleantech.

Scale Your Startup with FounderConnect’s Expert Network

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

Venture Café - 1 Broadway, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA

FounderConnect is back with even more resources to help you grow your startup. Meet legal advisors, marketing pros, funding strategists, and other key players in Greater Boston’s startup ecosystem. Thanks to CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)'s Social Impact Cohort, this event brings together founders, mentors, and service providers for 1:1 conversations and networking designed to fuel your success.

Spot the Next Big Thing in Life Sciences Innovation

Wednesday, March 26, 4:00-8:00 pm

UMass Lowell iHub – 110 Canal St, 3rd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852

See groundbreaking biotech and medical device startups compete for a share of $200K in in-kind resources and $50K in cash at UMassM2D2's 2025 $200K Challenge Pitch-Off. Catch pitches from the top finalists, hear insights from keynote speaker Brian Hess, CEO and Founder of RevBio, Inc., and connect with industry leaders, investors, and life sciences entrepreneurs.

Scale Your Hardtech Startup and Accelerate Growth with Key Industry Insights

Thursday, March 27, 5:00-7:30 pm

300 Tradecenter Drive, Woburn, MA 01801

Learn how to strategically select and optimize your startup’s space at FORGE and Cummings Properties event. Discover valuable insights on growing out of incubators, securing the right space for your needs, and minimizing expenses to accelerate your #hardtech growth. Network with industry leaders, explore lab and office spaces, and compete for a $20,000 rent credit to elevate your company’s next phase.

Explore the Future of Robotics and AI at BNT’s Next Generation Showcase

Thursday, March 27, 5:00-8:00 pm

Discover the latest in robotics, automation, and AI-powered systems at Boston New Technology (BNT)’s Robotics Startup Showcase. The evening kicks off with a Town Hall featuring industry experts and investors, followed by six cutting-edge startups presenting #innovations in industrial automation, medical robotics, autonomous systems, and more. Network with founders, engineers, and thought leaders shaping the next era of intelligent automation.

Show Off Your Startup at Yard Sale @ Downtown

Thursday, March 27, 5:00-8:00 pm

Boston, MA

Yard Sale @ Downtown brings #Boston's most ambitious startups to the heart of the city. Whether you're demoing your latest project or scouting the best talent, this event is packed with opportunities to network and connect with the boldest minds in the #startup scene.

Dive into the Future of #AI with MIT's 2025 AI Conference

Tuesday, April 1

Boston Marriot Cambridge – 50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142

Explore the latest in AI at MIT’s 2025 AI Conference. Hear from leading experts like Daniel Huttenlocher, Dean of MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, and David Autor, MIT Economist, as they discuss the impact of AI on knowledge, skills, and work. Don’t miss the chance to network with #AI innovators, startup founders, and industry leaders driving the future of technology.

Explore the Future of Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery

Wednesday, April 2, 5:00-8:30 pm

CIC Cambridge – 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join Qubit Pharmaceuticals and TINS: Technology Innovation Studio for a deep dive into quantum computing’s role in pharma. Hear from an industry leader, Nash Palaniswamy, and network with experts driving #innovation in medicine.

Connect with Boston's Top Accelerators and Innovators

Thursday, April 3, 5:30-7:30 pm

CIC Cambridge – 245 Main St Mosaic, 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

Meet program leaders from MassChallenge, Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), Visible Hands, and more. Explore resources, hear rapid pitches, and network with founders and #startup changemakers driving growth in #Boston.

Race to the Cure: Compete, Network, and Enjoy Boston’s High-Speed Event

Thursday, April 3, 5:30-8:30 pm

F1 Arcade Boston – 87 Pier 4 Blvd, Boston, MA 02210

Get ready for high-speed thrills and premium networking at the BioIT World event hosted by PTP and Amazon Web Services (AWS) at F1 Arcade in #Boston Seaport. Compete in cutting-edge F1 racing simulators, enjoy gourmet bites and cocktails, and make lasting connections with #biotech professionals. Don’t miss out on this adrenaline-pumping experience!

Pitch, Demo, and Hustle at BU’s Startup Yard Sale

Thursday, April 3, 6:27-8:32 pm

Boston, MA

Founders, builders, and caffeine-fueled dreamers—Yard Sale @ Boston University is where #Boston’s boldest bring their ideas to life. Watch live startup demos, swap stories with fellow hustlers, and see BU’s best go head-to-head. Whether you're pitching or just soaking in the energy, this is the place to be for the next wave of #startup innovation.

Explore the Future of Food Tech at GOe On the Road – Boston

Tuesday, April 8, 4:30-8:00 pm

CIC Cambridge – 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join GOe-Gastronomy Open Ecosystem and CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) for an evening of #foodtech #innovation, networking, and competition at CIC Cambridge. Hear from industry leaders, engage in roundtable discussions, and watch early-stage #startup founders pitch for a chance to compete in Spain’s Grand Finale. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with top entrepreneurs, investors, and experts shaping the future of food!

Meet the Next Generation of Worcester’s Startup Talent

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

Off The Rails – 90 Commercial St, Worcester, MA 01608

Join Venture Forum for WooTank, where student entrepreneurs from Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Nichols College, and College of the Holy Cross pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts and investors. Get inspired by the #innovation emerging from Worcester’s academic community and engage with the future leaders of the #startup ecosystem. Whether you’re a student, mentor, or investor, this event offers valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Meet New ClimateTech Startups at Greentown Labs’ Spring EnergyBar

Thursday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 pm

Greentown Labs – 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Hear lightning pitches from the newest #climatetech startups at Greentown Labs’ Spring EnergyBar event. Network with #entrepreneurs, investors, and #corporateleaders focused on climate solutions across agriculture, buildings, and energy transition. Don’t miss the chance to discover groundbreaking innovations and connect with climate champions shaping the future of the industry!

Articles:

AI-Powered BioHub Launches in Kendall Square

LabCentral and C10 Labs have unveiled a new AI BioHub in Kendall Square, designed to accelerate biotech innovation. The hub will provide early-stage startups with access to AI-driven tools, lab space, and industry expertise, aiming to streamline drug discovery and development. As AI continues to reshape biotech, initiatives like this could play a key role in advancing scientific breakthroughs.

Orion Security Lands Investment to Tackle AI-Powered Data Protection

As cyber threats grow, startups are racing to build better security solutions. Orion Securities, an AI-powered data protection platform, recently secured funding from Underscore VC to help businesses safeguard sensitive information. With AI-driven threats on the rise, investors see strong potential in startups focused on advanced cybersecurity.

New Venture Studio Backs Boston’s Corporate Talent

Swagger Ventures is launching a venture studio to help corporate talent turn industry expertise into high-growth startups. Led by Sam Poon and George "G" Le, the firm plans to cofound five startups with an initial $10-25K investment at incorporation. With a focus on healthcare, biotech, and enterprise software, they aim to de-risk early-stage ventures by proving product-market fit and attracting follow-on investors.

Wildcard:

What Does Directors & Officers Insurance Cover?

Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance protects company leaders against certain legal claims. But what exactly does it cover?

 

Here are the key takeaways from the article:

· Who is covered? Directors, officers, and in some cases, the company itself

· What does it cover? Legal costs, settlements, and judgments from claims related to mismanagement, regulatory actions, or breaches of duty

· What isn’t covered? Fraud, criminal acts, or personal gain

 

Check out the article to learn more about how D&O insurance helps businesses manage risk.

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.