Saturday Evening Special:Key Takeaways from BNT’s First 2025 Town Hall
Boston New Technology (BNT)
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Boston New Technology (BNT) kicked off 2025 with its first Town Hall of the year on Friday, January 17th. Although a technical glitch and scheduling issue prevented live audience participation, Co-Directors Steve Vilkas and Jason Kraus led an engaging and insightful discussion on BNT’s initiatives, community-driven programs, and upcoming events. If you missed it, don’t worry—we have the highlights right here, and the full recording will be available soon!
Building Momentum: Startup Grind Pitch Battle & BNT’s Role
BNT has long been a key player in Boston’s startup ecosystem, and the Startup Grind Pitch Battle was a testament to this. Jason detailed how BNT helped facilitate the event, which featured 17 startups delivering high-pressure, two-minute pitches before a panel of judges. The top three finalists moved on to a deeper Q&A round, culminating in Orion Health securing a spot in the North America regional championship.
"We had a great event on Tuesday. Each startup gave a two-minute pitch, with just their logo and a quick background on the slide while they were pitching, so it was more elevator pitch style," Jason explained. "It’s a real testament to each of the founders that participated and the strength of all the startups in the community."
This collaboration with Startup Grind Boston underscores BNT’s commitment to empowering early-stage startups and providing them with the platforms they need to grow. Steve noted how events like these not only showcase innovation but also prepare founders for real-world fundraising scenarios, where clear and concise storytelling is crucial. "We've done lots of different pitch battles and other kinds of events where startups get to tell their story but also show off what they're working on," he added.
Precision Pitch Practice: A Proven Training Ground for Founders
Another pillar of BNT’s startup education efforts is Precision Pitch Practice (PPP), which took place just before the Startup Grind Pitch Battle. With nearly 30 attendees, including many founders who later pitched in the competition, the session provided critical mentorship and feedback. Jason emphasized the importance of having an "everywhere pitch"—a polished, adaptable version of a startup’s story that works in any setting, from networking events to investor meetings.
"Pitch practice is a place where you can come at any stage. Whether it’s your first pitch or your 50th, you can always improve and get ready for your next conversation with investors or potential partners," Jason said.
Steve also hinted at new evolutions for PPP in 2025, including more investor mentors and the possibility of pop-up pitch practices at key locations in Boston’s startup community. "We may have a special precision pitch practice that pops up every once in a while at a location somewhere in the startup community. We won’t say which, we’ll make it super fun like that," he teased.
A Shoutout to Shweta Agrawal & BNT’s Thought Leadership
While BNT Co-Director and Chief Product Officer Shweta Agrawal couldn’t join the Town Hall due to illness, Steve and Jason made sure to highlight her incredible contributions. Recently, Shweta was featured on Matt Crane 's The Lantern podcast, where she eloquently outlined BNT’s long-term vision, reinforcing that it is much more than just an event group—it’s a platform for innovation, mentorship, and meaningful connections.
Steve praised Shweta’s insights: "She really encapsulated the mission, the vision, the value of BNT, and positively forecasted the future for us." Steve and Jason also acknowledged Matt for his work in amplifying the voices of Boston’s startup community. The scoops he produces are always first-rate.
Startup Weekend 2025: Bigger & Better
One of BNT’s biggest initiatives this year is Startup Weekend 2025, set for May 30 - June 1. With two highly successful past editions under its belt, BNT is gearing up for another action-packed weekend where founders, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs will build, validate, and pitch startup ideas in just 54 hours.
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"We’ve had two great Startup Weekends already, and it’s been incredible to see the diversity of ideas and companies that have come out of them," Jason shared. "It’s a place where whether you’re looking to start a new startup or just want to go back to that ideation phase, you can join a team and actually build something real over a weekend."
Jason emphasized that every participant is a builder—whether you pitch an idea, join a team, or refine an MVP. This year, BNT is enhancing the experience with more mentors, expanded resources, and exciting new partnerships. Official venue details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on our channels!
Special thanks to Sergio P Ferreira for stepping up as our facilitator, and for Marsh Sutherland for being among the first to suggest BNT take up reviving this amazing series -- Marsh also laid the cornerstone on Precision Pitch Practice.
February’s Health Tech Showcase: A Boston Specialty
BNT has always been at the forefront of Boston’s health tech ecosystem, and in February, we’re bringing back one of our most popular event themes: The Health Tech Startup Showcase. With Boston being a global hub for medtech, biotech, and health innovation, this showcase will feature top startups building cutting-edge solutions in healthcare.
"It’s a staple that Boston’s known for, and if you’re building a health tech startup, this is the place to be," Jason said. "It’s also one of the most valuable verticals where founders from other regions move to Boston just for the access to resources and mentorship."
What’s Next for BNT in 2025?
Beyond these marquee events, BNT is expanding its programming in exciting ways:
Stay Connected & Get Involved
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? Follow Us on Social Media: Get real-time updates on events and opportunities, including right here on Linkedin.
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We’re just getting started in 2025, and we can’t wait to continue building Boston’s most impactful startup community with all of you.