The wisest explorers make sure to take a look at a map before their journey. Or at the very least, have one handy.
When diving into a startup or tech ecosystem, it can be helpful to have a map, too, and that’s what we want this “Ecosystem at a Glance” document to serve as: a starting place, an on-boarding tool and a refresher for those new to the city’s innovation economy. At the very least, it will help you sound like you know your stuff at your next meetup.
Below, you’ll find basic insights into the startup and tech community in Boston — everything from its unicorns to universities, as well as the Twitter handles for those area thought leaders.
For comprehensive information on Boston coworking spaces, funding opportunities and more, check out our Guides section here for a full suite of additional resources.
UNICORNS
- Actifio (2009) | "Actifio delivers Enterprise Data-as-a-Service to hundreds of global enterprise customers and service provider partners."
- Cybereason (2012) | "Cybereason is an endpoint detection and response platform that identifies cyber attacks for effective response."
- DataRobot (2012) | "DataRobot delivers trusted AI technology and ROI enablement services to global enterprises competing in today’s Intelligence Revolution."
- Desktop Metal (2015) | "Desktop Metal is reinventing the way design and manufacturing teams print with metal."
- Devoted Health (2017) | "Devoted Health is a healthcare company serving seniors and giving them a health care plan with personal guides and world-class technology."
- DraftKings (2012) | "DraftKings provides online daily and weekly fantasy sports contests for cash prizes in major sports."
- ezCater (2007) | "ezCater is an online catering marketplace that allows individuals to order food from local caterers in the U.S."
- Flywire (2011) | "Helping you deliver on your customers' most important payments."
- Formlabs (2011) | “Formlabs develops powerful and accessible 3D printing systems designed for printing intricate figures.”
- Ginkgo Bioworks (2009) | "Ginkgo designs custom microbes for customers across multiple markets."
- Indigo AG (2014) | "Indigo harnesses nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet."
- Toast (2011) | "Toast is an all-in-one point-of-sale and restaurant management platform for businesses in the food service and hospitality space."
NOTABLE COMPANIES
- AmWell (2006) | "AmWell is an telemedicine company that connects users instantly with doctors over video feed."
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (2002) | "Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization."
- Biofourmis (2015) | "At Biofourmis augments personalized care and therapies using digital therapeutics"
- BitSight (2011) | "BitSight is a platform that rates companies' security effectiveness on a daily basis using a data-driven, outside-in approach."
- Circle (2013) | "Circle is a global internet finance company, built on blockchain technology and powered by crypto assets."
- Cybereason (2012) | "Cybereason is an endpoint detection and response platform that identifies cyber attacks for effective response.
- Drift (2014) | "Drift provides a buying experience for potential customers, generate more qualified leads, and dramatically accelerate the sales cycle."
- Drizly (2012) | "Drizly is the technology company transforming the way alcohol is shopped, sold and shared online."
- ElevateBio (2017) | "ElevateBio is accelerating the rate of innovation in cell and gene therapy with a disruptive capital-efficient model."
- Everbridge (2002) | "Everbridge is a global software company that provides critical communications and enterprise safety applications to its clients."
- ezCater (2007) | "ezCater is an online catering marketplace that allows individuals to order food from local caterers in the U.S."
- Formlabs (2011) | "Formlabs develops powerful and accessible 3D printing systems designed for printing intricate figures."
- HubSpot (2006) | "HubSpot develops cloud-based, inbound marketing software that allows businesses to transform the way that they market online."
- Indigo Ag (2014) | "Indigo harnesses nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet."
- Mineral Tree (2010) | "MineralTree provides mobile and online accounts payable automation software for finance professionals at growing organizations."
- Nexthink (2004) "Nexthink allows enterprises to create highly productive digital workplaces for their employees by delivering optimal end-user experience."
- Pear Therapeutics (2013) | "Pear discovers, develops, and commercializes Prescription Digital Therapeutics to treat diseases with high unmet need."
- Sense (2013) | "Sense specializes in developing and distributing tracking devices and home automation solutions for its customers."
- SilverCloud Health (2011) | "SilverCloud’s solutions are used by payers and providers to provide immediate access to evidence-based and supported digital therapies."
- Tango Therapeutics (2017) | "Tango Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel medicines"
- Thrasio (2018) | "Thrasio is an acquirer of Amazon third-party private-label businesses."
- Wayfair (2002) | "Wayfair is an online retailer of home products for bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining, home entertainment, bathroom, and more."
- XebiaLabs (2008) | "XebiaLabs develops enterprise-scale Continuous Delivery and DevOps software."
Area HIgher Education
"Organizations in the hub have their headquarters located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States; notable events and people located in Boston are also included. This list of schools in Boston, Massachusetts provides data on their funding history, investment activities, and acquisition trends. Insights about top trending companies, startups,..." – Crunchbase.com
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Berkley College of Music Boston Architectural College Boston College Boston Institute of Finance Boston University Emerson College Fisher College Harvard University Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences New England College of Business and Finance New England College of Optometry New England School of Law Northeastern University Simmons University Suffolk University Tufts University University of Massachusetts, Boston Urban College of Boston Wentworth Institute of Technology
AREA TECH AND STARTUP THOUGHT LEADERS "movers and shakers"
It’s hard to make an all-encompassing list of those folks who are leading the charge within Boston’s tech ecosystem. But we’ve made a start by assembling some below, including their Twitter handle and bio. They’re folks whose perspective can widen yours.
Katie Mulligan |"Senior Associate @pillar_vc| organizer@blockchainwk| Fmr:@IDEANEU @NewEnglandVC"
Laila Partridge | "Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, Mentor interested in start-ups working on AI/ML in Advanced Manufacturing"
Sarah de Zarraga | "CEO & Co-Founder of Flare"
Ilona Roberts | "Exec Director of Digital Marketing @insegment #marketing • #advertising • #digital • #tech"
Rafael Blatt | "20+ year of professional experience in consumer electronics. Engineering, business, startup, leadership, learning"
Laurence Grosbaum | "Laurence Grosbaum is Partner and Managing Director at Twin Focus Capital Partners, leading portfolio analysis and risk management, trading, and reporting."
Mark S. Cassidy | "FinTech investor, advisor, board member, family guy, traveler"
Caroline Duley | "Tech PR"
Craig Westmoreland | "Love tech. Love Boston. From Texas. Inveterate world traveler. Sometimes snowboarder. Less-sometimes golfer. Always dad."
Ramon Gras Alomà | "Urban Innovation researcher at Harvard University. Co-Founder at Aretian Urban Analytics and Design."
Dan Ventresca | "Solving health care via @MatterComm"
Wei Xun He | "MIT ME '18 | MIT delta v '19 @Sir_Mix_A_Bot| Traveler | Writer"
Katherine Geusz | “Goyce,” like “voice.” Partnerships & acceleration at @GreentownLabs. Educated by Jesuits & inspired by nature."
Silvio Micali | "Founder of @Algorand and co-inventor of zero-knowledge proofs. @MIT Professor. Accademia Dei Lincei."
Henry Morris | "We're changing the hiring process for the better #syntaxnotsentences #hire #better #faster"
Jenni Goodman | "Leading community at @UnderscoreVC, previously at @MassChallenge | @Babson&@bualumni alum | tweets mainly on #startups, #boston, #community and #travel."
Risham Dhillon | "Associate Product Manager @Google| Prev.@HarvardCS '18, Venture Fellow@roughdraftvc"
Veronika Kolesnikova | "Developer @Rightpoint. MS in IT. Microsoft MVP (AI). Passionate about web, Xamarin and AI. Loves dancing, traveling and aerial yoga"
Jared S. Taylor | "Unlocking healthcare professional data, making it easily shareable. Founder of@blochealth & @sliceofhc #telehealth #credentialing #providerenrollment"
Jonah Cohen | "#Founder of @Nutrimedy,@harvardmed, Doctor in Digestive Disease, Singer-Songwriter (apple.co/2fkbzmv)"
Ted Finn | "Global Citizen | Entrepreneur | CEO | Founder | 2+ million mile flyer | Natural Solutions for Global Problems | Outdoor enthusiast & Riding Bikes when not."
Salman Habib | "Harvard University | Co-founder at Hellofriend"
Regina Ye | "founder@zirui_team, CS @mountholyoke, |mostly on IG, Twitter is read-only."
Mihir A. Desai | "Prof @HarvardHBS, @Harvard_Law & @online_HBS. Author of bit.ly/WisdomFinance & bit.ly/HBR-Finance. Co-host of bit.ly/HBR-AfterHours"
