From The Skipper's Desk

Steve Vilkas, BNT Co-Director

Official BNT Update

Hi folks. I'm super excited to publish this public update on BNT, with some quick and comprehensive info on our operational status. There are some great events and opportunities coming up throughout our ecosystem, and we continue to grow and evolve over time. By no means is this an easy voyage -- it's a fantastic one however in every sense.

Promoting Startup World Cup

We've been heads down focused on Startup World Cup, which for me is a significant event dedicated to the memory of my late mother. This event has garnered immense interest from founders, investors, and industry leaders.

It is an exceptional opportunity for networking, showcasing innovative ideas, and celebrating what makes Boston such a magnificent startup hub. It's not too late to join us as a sponsor, sign up as a founder, or participate in this historic event series.

For more details and to sign up, please visit our website or contact me directly at [email protected].

Thanking Founder Institute Boston and Founders

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Founder Institute Boston for partnering up with us last Friday.

I'd like to spotlight the founders who pitched at the recent BNT Showcase portion:

Denisa Kim, MSc , Madison Page , and Jonathan Chang .

Their presentations were outstanding and greatly appreciated by all attendees. We are excited to announce two more showcases to conclude the year:

Edtech and AI at the Intersection on September 26th from 5 to 7PM

BNT At Sea: A BlueTech Startup Showcase on October 4th, which also happens to be my birthday.

Applications for presenting, as well as opportunities for sponsors and partners, will open by the end of the week. We are also seeking three experts to provide high-quality feedback for both events.

Additionally, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback through our BNT FI event survey.

Evolution of Precision Pitch Practice

Our Precision Pitch Practice program is undergoing a significant transformation.

On August 8th, we will take a brief break from Precision Pitch Practice to transition our virtual events to the Goldcast platform. Shivika Mishra demonstrated Goldcast's new capabilities, which have impressed us immensely. Going forward, all our virtual events will be streamed on Goldcast, moving away from Zoom.

We will continue to use Meetup and EKOS as our primary online platforms. We are extremely pleased with the recent updates from EKOS and commend their team and founder Melis Dural for their amazing support. I highly encourage folks to check it out, as the EKOS ecosystem has been forever fascinating.

In-person events will continue to be promoted across a variety of places, reflective of BNT's wide-ranging presence -- including Markit AI for in-persons.

Call for Volunteers

We are looking for dedicated volunteers to assist with the Startup World Cup and our upcoming Startup Showcases. Volunteering is a fantastic way to contribute to the success of these events and gain valuable experience. If you are interested, please reach out to us.

Upcoming Fireside Chats

Next week, Shweta Agrawal will be releasing an announcement about a series of fireside chats scheduled for this year. These sessions promise to be insightful and engaging, featuring discussions with industry experts and thought leaders.

New Programs for BNT’s Tech Groups

In September, following Startup Boston Week, our additional tech groups will introduce a mix of new in-person and virtual programs. These events will be streamed on Goldcast, and we will incorporate engaging activities on EKOS subspaces afterward. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the program schedules.

Exciting Announcements at Startup World Cup

We are excited to share that we will be making several important announcements about Techstars Startup Weekend Boston during the Startup World Cup. These updates will highlight new initiatives and opportunities for collaboration. We look forward to sharing more details with you at the event.

Recognizing BNT’s Team

Our team continues to excel in their efforts, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. Their commitment to our mission and values is evident in every project they undertake. We want to take this moment to recognize and thank them for their outstanding contributions.

Advisory Board Reshuffle

On August 25th, we will be announcing a reshuffle of our Advisory Board. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing our leadership and bringing in new perspectives to drive our initiatives forward. We look forward to introducing the new board members and sharing their vision for the future of BNT.

Return of Extra Byte Blog and Newsletter Update

We are pleased to announce that the official BNT Extra Byte Blog will return next Friday. This blog will feature in-depth articles, insights, and updates on our activities and the broader startup ecosystem. Additionally, our latest newsletter will be released tomorrow, August 1st, containing important updates and information about our upcoming events and initiatives.