New startups in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Innovation Mentoring Initiative

Background: In 2012, the Massachusetts Innovation Mentoring Initiative was established at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborate (MassTech) to help strengthen entrepreneur and startup mentoring activities across underserved populations, regions and industries in the Commonwealth. The goal of the program, created as part of the Jobs Bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick in 2012, is to encourage the growth of new jobs, startups and business across Massachusetts.

Why Mentoring: The Patrick Administration and the state Legislature recognized that an ongoing challenge for policy leaders is the need to build regional start-up ecosystems and communities of innovation to bring 21st century economic opportunities to all Massachusetts citizens. In this regard, mentoring activities hold the promise of helping to develop bridges and ladders that connect targeted communities, regions, and clusters to new and progressively more ambitious pathways for economic success.

The Initiative: MassTech, in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), worked throughout 2013 on this new initiative. MassTech issued a Request for Information in July 2013 which helped provide context and clarity to a Request for Proposals issued in August 2013. That solicitation received over 20 submissions, an impressive response from organizations located across the Commonwealth.

The Launch of the Mentoring Grants: Following a highly competitive selection process, on February 4, 2014, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick met at the office of Merrimack Valley Sandbox in Lowell with local entrepreneurs from the region, as well as executives from MassTech, and leading business organizations, to announce the rollout of the first three competitively-selected grants. The three grantees selected include:

• Merrimack Valley Sandbox ($150, 000): Funds will help Merrimack Valley Sandbox strengthen and scale up their mentor program for entrepreneurs in the Greater Lowell area. The group will hire two additional part-time ‘Managers of Mentorship, ’ including a bilingual mentor who will support the Sandbox’s expanded outreach to Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. In addition to the added mentor support, the award will be used to enhance communication between mentors and entrepreneurs, and to build awareness of the Sandbox’s programs in the region;