PARTNERSHIPS
CONNECTION CREATION
Our Innovation Partners
The Massachusetts Innovation Network partners with other key organizations in order to extend additional resources and event opportunities to our community of innovators.
Corporate Entrepreneurship Network
Technology driven innovation and the rapid growth of global entrepreneurship, has changed the traditional innovation model resulting in the emergence of a collaborative ecosystem. In response to this new environment, large global companies have aggressively augmented their internal innovation activities with a variety of more “external facing” efforts that include corporate VC, open innovation, tech scouting, distributed innovation and incubation centers, etc. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Network provides connection opportunities within this community as well as to the external ecosystem. To find more about this great group of strategics go to:
M3C
The Massachusetts Innovation Network and The Middlesex 3 Coalition are working together, to leverage their respective strengths and provide regional networks of economic growth, sustainable entrepreneurial support, and workforce development. The partnership is funded by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and is available to all Middlesex 3 Communities.
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The cornerstone of the program is the establishment and development of a Mentor-Mentee Network. Experience business leaders will provide experience, insight, and guidance that can help small business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs, develop their strategic thinking, move their ideas forward, leverage opportunities, mitigate risk, and cultivate the soft business skills required to succeed in their markets.
Forge
FORGE is a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization that connects startups with compatible, forward-thinking manufacturers, design firms, and engineers. We make right-fit introductions between this diverse network of suppliers and well-prepared, well-supported startups creating exciting new physical products and components. The connections we make at FORGE help bring innovative products to market, create long lasting, mutually beneficial, collaborative business relationships, which ultimately fuel our local economy.
FORGE works closely with our startups to understand their business needs and connect them to the right type of manufacturer or supplier for the job. We also work closely with our extensive network of manufacturers, design firms, and engineers to source the right partner for our startups’ supply chain needs. By working with FORGE, our Supply Chain Network gains access to some of the most innovative startups in the region.
MITRE
MITRE’s mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through our public-private partnerships and federally funded research and development centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation. Our Bridging Innovation team is building pathways in innovation ecosystems to discover, accelerate, and deliver solutions from nontraditional sources. Our framework for success starts by working closely with our government sponsors to define an intentional and comprehensive strategic plan for successful transition, such as clear challenge statements, evaluation criteria, contracting, and funding, while also actively engaging in accelerators, incubators, and co-working spaces to build trusted relationships and share government challenges. With a clear understanding of needs and strong partnerships across the innovation landscape, we can easily leverage those networks to scout and match solutions from industry to challenges. Often times, startups need help understanding how to apply and integrate their commercial solutions to government operational environments, so MITRE’s deep technical and domain expertise as well as our unique lab resources can lower the barriers of entry, enabling startups to accelerate development, and ensure successful transition. Bridging Innovation supports creating a diverse innovation ecosystem working together for a safer world.
OUR SPONSORS
