Dozens of members of the city’s innovation community and local government – including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Mass. Governor Deval Patrick – joined Boston accelerator MassChallenge on Wednesday in celebrating the official opening of its new home in South Boston.
After spending all of its five years at One Marina Park, the accelerator, which hosts 128 companies per class, has moved from its location to the Innovation and Design Building at 21 Dry Dock Avenue in the Seaport.
Former Mayor Menino announced, alongside the MassChallenge team, in September 2013 that the accelerator had selected the Dry Dock Avenue building's 26,000 square-foot sixth floor space as its new home. (The accelerator won't move into the digs until June, however.)
Along with the moving announcement, MassChallenge also made it known that the program is accepting applications for its 2014 class. (You can apply here.) In addition to receiving months of quality mentorship and networking, each company stands to win $1.5 million in cash awards without having to give up any equity.
Walsh and Patrick were quick to tout MassChallenge for the role it plays in fueling the city’s entrepreneurial fire and in building Boston’s presence as an innovation and tech capital around the world.
"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is well positioned to continue its leadership among the global innovation economy because of our strategic investments in innovation, education and infrastructure," said Governor Patrick in a statement. "MassChallenge's new program in the UK and its programs in Boston and Israel do important work to connect these hubs of entrepreneurship."
Mayor Walsh emphasized entrepreneurship as a great equalizer, stating:
MassChallenge and the community that surrounds it in the Innovation District has very quickly become a place where anyone in the world can bring their ideas and realize their dreams, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. I am proud to support their work and the work of entrepreneurs throughout our entire city of Boston.
MassChallenge also announced the up-and-coming launch of MassChallenge UK, which aims to take up residence in London this December and run its first accelerator program in 2015. In London, MassChallenge leaders and local supporters gathered earlier this week at the British Prime Minister’s office, on 10 Downing Street, to ensure its London program will best meet the needs of the UK economy. The initiative enjoys the strong support of the British government, including the prime minister’s office and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. The Royal Bank of Scotland will join as a founding partner of MassChallenge UK.
Take a look at the companies from the accelerator's most recent class that won at the MassChallenge Awards back in October.
Image via MassChallenge
