Venture Forum

We’re excited to partner with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce for this dynamic event series focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. From insightful workshops to the Venture Forum WooTank pitch competition and the Innovation Crawl, Startup Week Worcester will bring together founders, investors, and industry leaders to connect, learn, and grow. Learn more at StartupWeekWorcester.com Excited to collaborate with our partners and hosts, Coghlin Companies, Inc., Polar Beverages, Multiscale Systems, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) at Clark University, Venture Forum, College of the Holy Cross And grateful to our sponsors, M&T Bank, Wilmington Trust, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, Verdantas Flow Labs, SVB, Worcester Business Journal #StartupWeekWorcester #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #WooTank

?? StartUp Week Worcester is almost here! Auxilium, in partnership with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, is bringing together industry experts, founders, and investors for a week of insight, inspiration, and networking. Educational Panels Include: Leveraging Local Resources – Growing Your Startup in Worcester Crafting Your Startup Story – Building a Brand that Connects Legal Basics for Startups – What Every Founder Should Know Building a Successful Leadership Team Demystifying AI Show Me the Money – Funding Options for First-Time Founders Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical insights, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and fuel your startup journey. #StartUpWeekWorcester #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #Worcester #Founders

The Venture Forum's 2nd annual WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown will be held on April 8th, during StartUp Week Worcester. The WooTank pitch competition between Clark, HolyCross, Nichols and WPI is the perfect way to cap off the innovation crawl. April 8th to 10th is shaping up to be an exciting time for startups and innovation in the city! Grab a WooTank ticket here: wootank2025.eventbrite.com More about WooTank here: wootank.com Sign up for the innovation crawl here: startupweekworcester.com

Apply now to the Founders School! We invite underrepresented founders based in Massachusetts or seeking to relocate here who are interested in engaging in a robust hybrid program focused on the intersection of research, technology, and the creation of real-world solutions. Founders School is an opportunity for early-stage founders in the deep-tech space seeking to refine their business model, prepare for competitive accelerator programs, and jump-start their business to becoming investment ready. ICYMI - A recording of last week's informational webinar is available to watch here: https://lnkd.in/dxKEzWyC We've extended the deadline to March 28th! Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/eUtKeRRC Sienna Leis ven^x The Massachusetts Founders Network

Get ready for the second annual WooTank! WooTank is an intercollegiate pitch competition held in Worcester, MA, where student entrepreneurs from local colleges present their business ventures to a panel of investors, aiming to secure real-time funding and mentorship. The event is organized by The Venture Forum, a startup community dedicated to fostering economic growth and supporting entrepreneurs in Central MA. Grab your tickets! https://lnkd.in/eKrvCvRi

Get ready for the second annual WooTank! WooTank is an intercollegiate pitch competition held in Worcester, MA, where student entrepreneurs from local colleges present their business ventures to a panel of investors, aiming to secure real-time funding and mentorship. The event is organized by The Venture Forum, a startup community dedicated to fostering economic growth and supporting entrepreneurs in Central MA. Grab your tickets! https://lnkd.in/eKrvCvRi

??WooTank will be part of StartUp Week Worcester, a dynamic series of events celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation in Central Massachusetts. Hosted by Auxilium and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Startup Week Worcester highlights where the region stands today and its’ bright future ahead. ?? The innovation crawl ends at Off The Rails, just in time for WooTank! Startup Week Worcester will include: Workshops: Gain valuable insights and skills to empower your entrepreneurial journey. Innovation Crawl: Explore key innovation hubs across Worcester and connect with leaders shaping the future. Venture Forum WooTank: Experience an exciting student pitch competition that highlights the region’s entrepreneurial talent and innovative ideas. Investor Connections: Opportunities to connect investors with local talent, fostering relationships that drive business growth and innovation. Media Spotlights: Discover stories that showcase the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the area. Links: Startup Week: https://lnkd.in/e_tgt9t7 WooTank: https://wootank.com/ Get your WooTank tickets today! https://lnkd.in/eyj8jNSK

Our Host for the 2024 WooTank event was Dave Peterson, and he will be back again! Dave kept the competition moving, with lots of enthusiasm. David Peterson General Manager of the Worcester Bravehearts A familiar face to the crowd at Hanover Insurance Park, Dave was hired to lead the Bravehearts in October, 2013. He previously served as VP of Sales & Marketing for the Worcester Tornadoes and handled emcee responsibilities for on-field promotions from 2005 - 2010. His 20-year marketing career began as a Promotions Director for 104.5 WXLO in Worcester, and he also worked three years in the advertising industry as an Account Manager for Idea Agency in Sturbridge. He is a 2011 recipient of the Worcester Business Journal's "40 Under Forty" award and was named FCBL Executive of the Year in 2014, 2019, and 2022. You may also find "Peterman" performing his patented "rally dance" when the team is behind in the late innings. [Photo by Jeff Baker] WooTank.com

?? WOOTANK INTERCOLLEGIATE SHOWDOWN: THE COMPETITORS ARE SET! ?? The stage is set, and the competition is heating up! ?? Four Worcester business programs are stepping up to battle it out in the WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown: ?? Clark University ?? Holy Cross ?? Nichols College ?? WPI Who will rise to the top and claim victory? Stay tuned as these schools bring their best ideas, pitches, and entrepreneurial energy to the showdown! ??? Get your ticket: https://lnkd.in/eKrvCvRi Find out more: https://wootank.com #Wootank #StartupWorcester #Entrepreneurship #PitchCompetition #Innovation

?? Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge – Huge opportunity! ???? MassTech is offering a game-changing opportunity for AI innovators: Apply for up to $1 million to advance AI research, development, and deployment! ?? ??Accelerating Applied AI in Massachusetts The Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge is a grant program designed to inspire the development of domain-specific AI models capable of catalyzing scientific discoveries, accelerating commercialization of AI applications or generating substantial public benefits. The Challenge seeks to fund projects that develop, fine-tune or adapt AI models to unlock breakthroughs in priority industry sectors with potential for significant downstream applications within the next three years. If you're a startup, researcher, or industry leader, don’t miss this chance to secure funding and scale your AI solutions. ?? Deadline to apply: February 28, 2025 ?? Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/e_kjd2qH #MassTech #AIInnovation #FundingOpportunity #ArtificialIntelligence #TechLeadership #Startups #AIModels #AIGrant