Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)

Author

Nathan Therrien
March 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 women in AI Meet-up. We also have some newsworthy articles, including one about Citibank freezing climate funds, and a founder pitch opportunity!

Events:

Meet Women Innovators Shaping AI with Glasswing, Flybridge, and MTLC

Tuesday, March 18, 5:00-7:30 pm

Glasswing Ventures – 275 Newbury St, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116

Join the next Women in AI meet-up hosted by Glasswing Ventures, Flybridge, and Mass Technology Leadership Council. This event will feature three women leading in AI from diverse perspectives—founder, investor, and innovator. Enjoy plenty of time to network and reconnect with new and familiar faces while hearing from these incredible leaders in the field.

Unite with Boston’s Tech Communities for Networking and Collaboration

Tuesday, March 18, 5:30-8:00 pm

Pillar VC, 500 Boylston St, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02116

Join product managers, engineers, designers, and tech enthusiasts at Tech Communities Unite, hosted by Jovial and Jellyfish. Discover new groups, make valuable connections, and dive into an interactive activity that sparks fresh ideas. Don’t miss out—space is limited for this exciting evening of collaboration and innovation!

Launch Your B2B Startup with the Pearce Summer Fellowship

Wednesday, March 19, 5:30-7:00 pm

Underscore VC – 45 School St, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA

Turn your B2B software idea into reality with the Pearce Summer Fellowship Program, powered by Underscore VC. This summer accelerator offers flexible financing (starting at $50K), dedicated VC mentorship, and a collaborative workspace at Historic Old City Hall. Connect with the Underscore team and learn how this program can help you break into Boston’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Overcome Data Silos in Biotech with Experts and Peers

Wednesday, March 19, 6:00-9:00 pm

Vester – 73 Ames St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Join biotech founders, data leaders, and scientists for an evening of insights and networking at Mindvyne's Data & Drinks event, hosted by Mindvyne, Collaborative Drug Discovery - CDD Vault, and dovetail biopartners. Hear from experts on overcoming data silos and discover practical strategies to integrate data across teams and platforms. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and a roundtable discussion, followed by a panel of experts sharing actionable takeaways for startups.

Thursday, March 20, 5:30-7:00 om

Upstairs at Bow – 1 Bow Mkt Way, Somerville, MA 02143

Dive into Massachusetts' electric mobility goals at the Climate Salon, exploring fleet transitions, charging infrastructure, regulations, and emerging technologies. Following a day of transportation pitches at Greentown Labs, this discussion will turn ideas into action. Sponsored by New Leaf Energy, Inc. and WEVO.

Discuss the Future of Agetech at Boston Health Innovation Night

Thursday, March 20, 5:30-8:30 pm

Liberty Lobby Bar – 215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

Connect with healthcare innovators and investors at Boston Health Innovation Night. Hear Sumit Nagpal, CEO of Cherish, share insights on the silver tsunami and agetech while networking over drinks at the Liberty Hotel. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and great conversations with industry leaders.

Connect with Northeastern’s Boldest at Yard Sale Startup Showcase

Thursday, March 20, 6:27-8:32 pm

Boston, MA

Check out the exciting Launch Yard

Launch Yard Yard Sale @ Northeastern, where #startup founders, co-ops, and innovators converge for a night of networking and demos. Meet driven minds showcasing their projects, pitch your own idea, or scout the brightest talent in #Boston. Don’t miss the grand finale, Yard Sale: The Best Finds, where the top teams compete for ultimate bragging rights!

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.

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!

Articles:

Spies Target AI Secrets as Security Concerns Rise

The CEO of Anthropic warns that intelligence agencies are trying to steal AI secrets worth $100 million with just a few lines of code. As competition in AI heats up, security risks are growing, raising concerns about how companies protect their most valuable algorithms.

Citibank Freezes Climate Funds Amid Federal Scrutiny

The FBI, EPA, and Treasury directed Citibank to freeze funds as the Trump administration moves to reclaim climate-related money. The effort raises concerns over financial institutions' role in political disputes and the broader implications for climate funding initiatives.

PR Strategies That Help Early-Stage Startups Stand Out

Early-stage startups often struggle to get media attention, but a strong PR strategy can make a difference. Founders who focus on compelling storytelling, building relationships with journalists, and leveraging thought leadership see better traction. As competition for coverage grows, startups that refine their messaging and target the right outlets are more likely to break through the noise.

Wild Card:

Founder Pitch Opportunity

Callout to #startup #founders looking to pitch: Leader Bank VIP "Pitch" Event at Fenway!

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.