- Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup space)
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- Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)
Three Interesting Things (in the Boston Startup Space)
Nathan Therrien
April 07, 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 Pitch-A-Thon hosted by IDEA: Northeastern University's Venture Accelerator. We also have some newsworthy articles, including one about the new Biogen headquarters in Cambridge, and a wildcard about Startup Week Worcester.
Events:
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.
Pitch-A-Thon Brings Together Boston’s Top Student Innovators
Tuesday, April 8, 6:00-8:30 pm
Northeastern University – 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Check out Pitch-A-Thon, hosted by IDEA: Northeastern University's Venture Accelerator, showcasing #innovation from student founders across 10 schools. Featuring keynote speaker Vicente Zavarce, founder of Yummy , plus networking with VCs, angel investors, and talented entrepreneurs shaping the future.
Tapping Into Boston’s University Talent for Startup Growth
Wednesday, April 9, 5:00-7:30 pm
Hear from founders and investors like Ali Mahmoud, Andrew Smith, Ben Maitland-Lewis, Chris Gardner, and Cvic Innocent on leveraging Boston’s university ecosystem. Stick around for a mini startup career fair featuring Techstars Boston Accelerator, Glasswing Ventures, SVB, and more.
Build Meaningful Connections at Venture Lane’s Blue Hour
Wednesday, April 9, 5:30-7:30 pm
Boston, MA
Venture Lane | Startup Hub's Blue Hour brings together high-impact ecosystem contributors to support early-stage B2B tech #innovation. Engage with founders, operators, and mentors in a relaxed setting designed for valuable conversations and takeaways.
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!
Explore AI’s Role in Healthcare with Arianna Huffington
Thursday, April 10, 7:00 pm
Museum of Science Blue Wing
Discover how AI is shaping the future of health with Thrive Global founder Arianna Huffington and MIT's Regina Barzilay at the Museum of Science. Hear insights on AI-driven health coaching, early cancer detection, and the intersection of technology and well-being. Engage in an evening of discussion with industry leaders pushing the boundaries of #healthcare innovation.
The Ultimate Boston Demo Day: Launch Yard’s Best Finds
Friday, April 11, 12:05-3:59 pm
Cambridge, MA
The biggest, boldest, most electrifying demo day is here! Launch Yard’s Yard Sale @ Boston "The Best Finds" brings together top innovators from Babson, Harvard, MIT, BU, Northeastern, and more to showcase groundbreaking ideas and live demos. Don’t miss the chance to witness the next wave of #startup disruption and connect with the founders shaping the future.
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.
Articles:
Meta Faces New Scam Threat Targeting WeChat Users
Meta is grappling with a surge in "pig butchering" scams targeting WeChat users through Facebook. These scams, which lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes, highlight ongoing challenges in combating online fraud. Experts emphasize the need for enhanced security measures as scammers exploit platform vulnerabilities.
Biogen Announces New Global Headquarters in Cambridge
Biogen plans to establish a new global headquarters and innovation center in Cambridge, aiming to enhance its research and development capabilities. The move highlights Biogen’s commitment to fostering innovation in biotechnology, with a focus on attracting top talent and advancing cutting-edge medical solutions.
Life Sciences Investment Group Expands to Worcester Incubator
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is opening a new office at the Worcester Incubator, aiming to boost life sciences innovation and economic growth in the region. The move is part of a broader effort to enhance collaboration and support startups developing groundbreaking technologies.
Wildcard:
Startup Week Worcester
April 8th -10th.
Startup Week Worcester is a multi-day event celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation in Central Massachusetts. Presented by M&T Bank and hosted by Auxilium and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
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.
