MassRobotics Accelerator

The application should take you no more than 20 minutes to complete. We do ask for a pitch deck and a product demo video, but this is not mandatory. You should be prepared to answer questions covering: 

• Your startup’s core technology
• Your team, and why your team is the right one to solve the problem you’re addressing
• Your startup’s traction (examples: product development, LOIs, customer stories, revenue)
• Your startup’s funding
• Your startup’s market and business model
• Your startup’s competitive advantage and competitive landscape

Startups who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to apply. This program is based at MassRobotics headquarters, in the Seaport district of Boston, MA. Selected startups are required to be on-site throughout the duration of the program. Companies must currently be based in Massachusetts or demonstrate the willingness and ability to stay in Massachusetts at least one year post accelerator graduation.

MassRobotics does not make an equity investment in your company. Our program is unique in that it funds cohort companies with non-dilutive funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a quasi-public state economic development agency. Selected startups will receive $100,000 in funding to be spent directly towards company operations and the acceleration of your startup.

MassRobotics is the largest and most impactful robotics community in the world. We come to the table with expert knowledge and experience, an incredible mentor community, and our innovative robotics lab. By being a MassRobotics Accelerator cohort company, you’ll have access to: 

• A three-month long bespoke accelerator program with individualized mentorship and curated curriculum 
• Office space throughout the duration of the program
• Use of our Robotics Lab and Sensor Library, including training and tool education
• Supervised use of our Prototyping lab including, CNC,  3D printers, laser cutter, waterjet cutter, soldering stations, scopes, etc.
• Access to the MassRobotics community, including member events, Slack community, and the option to become a resident of MassRobotics once the program concludes 
• Demo Day exposure at the Robotics Summit & Expo: The Robotics Summit & Expo is a multifaceted educational forum and expo dedicated to addressing the issues involved with the design, development, manufacture and delivery of commercial robotics and intelligent systems products and services that draws thousands of participants to the event in the Boston Convention Center (https://www.roboticssummit.com)

Yes. To get the most out of this experience it’s important to be in person. Our programming is made to serve robotics startups and we find a great value to being together. We do require our cohort companies to be based on site and work out of our office space during the program. Our office space is beautiful, and you’ll have the chance to rub elbows with our resident startups.

Our accelerator calendar will be highly curated with content made specifically for robotics founders. You can expect industry-specific sessions, mentor meetings, office hours, pitch practice, and spending time in the prototyping lab. While our curriculum is packed with valuable content, we know you also have a business to run. Accelerator content will be held Tuesday to Thursday, leaving Monday and Friday to have time in the lab, and of course, running your company!

We require at least one lead individual from the company to be on-site for the duration of the program. The best practice is to have the co-founders involved in the day-to-day programming. You may invite others from the team to participate in various portions, for example, invite your lead engineer for the manufacturing and technical discussions, or your marketing and sales lead for the go-to-market and sales strategy sessions.

MassRobotics Accelerator companies have supervised access to the lab during the accelerator program, typically on Monday and Friday, program scheduling permitting.

MassRobotics has a general rule not allowing competing companies as residents. There is a different application process to become a resident, and you may or may not be accepted if you have competing technology to an existing resident.

Yes. We welcome startups from outside of Massachusetts to apply. However, to take part in the funding opportunity companies based outside of Massachusetts will need to have a foreign corporation registration on file with the MA secretary of state. Additionally, to receive funding companies based outside of MA will have to keep all or part of company operations in Massachusetts for at least one year post-accelerator graduation.

There are a few different ways to keep company operations in MA:

• Become a resident at MassRobotics
• Establish Massachusetts facilities (office, manufacturing, prototype shop)
• Hire Massachusetts-based staff
• Have one or more co-founders remain based in Massachusetts as residents

We are so happy you’re interested in getting involved as a mentor! The best way to get the process started is to complete this brief form, specifying your area of interest along with the skills and experience you can bring to the program.