MassCONNECT® Programme

The MassCONNECT process involves a two-month mentorship where industry experts guide entrepreneurs as they seek to develop business plans, launch companies, and raise capital. MassCONNECT mentors evaluate and provide feedback on commercial feasibility; identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and team up to furnish industry-specific business advice for innovative ideas in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and health IT. Entrepreneurs gain invaluable advice and coaching on defining their value proposition, developing pitches, and building professional networks.

In addition to entrepreneurs and industry mentors, the MassCONNECT program relies on MBA students with life sciences knowledge or interest to serve as project managers for a MassCONNECT team. For MBAs, MassCONNECT offers invaluable experience, VIP connections, and the potential opportunity for course credit.

Applications for entrepreneurs and mentors are considered on a rolling basis. Please contact Rachele Ryan for more information.

Individuals interested in volunteering as a project manager, please contact Rachele Ryan for more information.

MassCONNECT partners and supporters include LabCentral, Harvard Medical School, Harvard iLab, MassChallenge, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s iHub, North Shore Innoventures, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, MTTC, Platform, MDG, UMass, and WPI.

Entrepreneur Application

There is no official application form for MassCONNECT. Interested entrepreneurs should contact Rachele Ryan. The MassBio team will meet with entrepreneurs to learn more about their technologies and share more details on the MassCONNECT program. All qualified applicants will be evaluated based on mutual fit between the entrepreneur and the program.

Technology Showcase

Chosen entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to a group of mentors and articulate the areas with which they need help at an initial Technology Showcase. MassBio will then match each entrepreneur with a team of five to seven mentors who are best qualified to provide targeted advice, connections, and other resources.

Mentoring Team Meetings

Once matched, entrepreneurs meet with their mentoring teams in focused, one-hour sessions that are held in-person each week for eight weeks. MassBio coordinates the team meetings and hosts them at the MassBio offices.

Final Presentation

Armed with business plan pitch decks and a refined strategy, entrepreneurs pitch to a large audience of industry mentors and other members of the life sciences startup community.

Testimonial Video

For more information visit the website of MassBio.

Source: MassBio