MassChallenge
 | |
| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Location | |
| Website | masschallenge |
MassChallenge is a global, zero-equity startup accelerator, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2009.[citation needed]
MassChallenge is headquartered in Boston's Seaport District in the MassMutual Building, and has additional U.S. locations in Texas and Rhode Island, as well international locations in Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland.[1]
History
MassChallenge co-founders John Harthorne and Akhil Nigam were working as strategy consultants at Bain & Company during the global financial crisis in 2008 when they developed MassChallenge.[2] MassChallenge secured early support from successful entrepreneurs like Desh Deshpande and Joe Fallon, the public sector including Thomas Menino the then-Mayor of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and large organizations like The Blackstone Charitable Foundation and Microsoft.[3]
During its first Boston-based cohort in 2010, MassChallenge accelerated 111 startups.[4]
Notable alumni
- JoyTunes, a music app producer[5]
- Drync, a wine mobile app for iOS platforms[6]
- Her Campus, an online newsmagazine for college women[7]
- Global Research Innovation & Technology, manufacturer of the Leveraged Freedom Chair[8]
- LiquiGlide, a plant-based liquid-impregnated surface coating
- RallyPoint, a professional network for US military members[9]
- Ministry of Supply, a business wear men's fashion brand[10]
- Moneythink, a non-profit organization that places college volunteers in high school classrooms to teach courses in financial literacy and entrepreneurship[11]
References
- ^ Delaney, Erin. "MassChallenge Opens New Home for Innovation". MassChallenge.org. MassChallenge. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ "MassChallenge's John Harthorne Explains How Startups Can Fix The World". TechCrunch. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
- ^ Colao, JJ (13 March 2012). "MassChallenge: A Colossal Startup Accelerator That's 100% Free". Forbes.
- ^ Kirsner, Scott (24 May 2011). "MassChallenge start-up competition picks 125 finalists for 2011". Boston.com. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ Empson, Rip (13 June 2012). "JoyTunes Wants To Teach You To Play Real Instruments With Interactive Video Games". TechCrunch. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "Drync". MassChallenge.org. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ Alspach, Kyle. "Her Campus Media gets trademark for term 'collegiette'". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "GRIT". MassChallenge.org. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ "Rallypoint". MassChallenge.org. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ Alspach, Kyle. "Ministry of Supply breaks Kickstarter fashion record with $300K+ raised". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "Moneythink". MassChallenge.org. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
