MassChallenge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MassChallenge is a global, zero-equity startup accelerator, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2009.[citation needed]
| |
| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Location | |
| Website | masschallenge |
MassChallenge is headquartered in Boston's Seaport District in the MassMutual Building, and has additional U.S. locations in Texas, as well international locations in Israel and Switzerland.[1]
History
MassChallenge co-founders John Harthorne and Akhil Nigam were working as strategy consultants at Bain & Company during the 2008 financial crisis 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.
During its first Boston-based cohort in 2010, MassChallenge accelerated 111 startups.[3]
Notable alumni
- JoyTunes, a music app producer[4]
- Drync, a wine mobile app for iOS platforms[5]
- Ginkgo_Bioworks, biotech company[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]
