A thaw in the famous New England chill for first time entrepreneurs? Shine on MassChallenge.
In the past I have heard investors and start-up founders lament that things are just not as start-up friendly here on the East Coast (as opposed to California) and I don't think they were talking just about the winters and that famous New England brevity. For a variety of reasons, things in New England will not be like they are in Cupertino and they don't have to be either (more on that in a different post), but when we start to lose bright, talented and dedicated first time entrepreneurs and their companies to sunny California it's cause to worry. Now the good news...
Over the past year, I have felt that there has been more of a concerted effort amongst investors, service providers and more established entrepreneurs and advisors to be more supportive of first-time entrepreneurial talent. Nothing indicates this more than the The MassChallenge start-up competition (click here for a great story on the event by Scott Kirsner of the Boston Globe). MassChallenge brings together entrepreneurs, advisors, service providers, the City of Boston and Governor Patrick's office. The outcome: Apart from cash and kind prizes, 100 (One Hundred!) start-ups will be offered free office space in the Seaport District stone's throw from downtown Boston. OK that's great, but even better the event brings bright entrepreneurial talent in touch with advisors and service providers that will help them grow their ideas into companies and demonstrates to the founders that there is an entrepreneurial ecosystem here that will support and champion them. Nice work MassChallenge and kudos to Governor Patrick's office and all the sponsors! Lets see more events like this in the future!
Comments (1)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endJarrod Phipps - July 24, 2010 10:59 AM
The MassChallenge is an amazing competition which pulled from a lot of lessons learned in the 21 years of the MIT $100K. John Harthorne (a former lead organizer of the MIT $100K) and his team are breaking new ground making this competition a magnet for start-ups to form (and hopefully stay) in Massachusetts. It is the broader community's job to take the reins when the MassChallenge ends by setting up the infrastructure that will support the contestants' growth into a community. This will be done by building out cost effective long-term office space and social aspects of Boston (bars, restaurants, and culture) that make California an attractive destination today. I've spoken to the "Mass It's All Here" team and it looks like this is the direction we're headed, but its going to need support from the private sector to get off the ground.
I'm hoping to see the broader Boston community embrace the results of the MassChallenge and the Boston Innovation District that is in process right now.