Boston's innovation economy is growing. Why? Because it is filled with people who want to give back and create something better. They often work quietly in the background and don’t receive the praise they deserve. IT’S TIME TO STOP THE INSANITY!!!
Below is a list of eight people who help make Boston rock. Many of them are instructors who I've met through Startup Institute. Next time you see them in a bar, buy them a drink and tell them they are smart and sexy.
The work Jay does for Boston Content is phenomenal. He’s taken what he learned at a few little companies like Google and HubSpot and is using this to help grow and promote Boston’s startup community. He’s like Robin Hood. Except instead of stealing things he is teaching people. Also, he looks terrible in tights. Never mind, he’s nothing like Robin Hood. Jay’s creativity, smarts and humor make the Boston tech ecosystem a little more colorful. You’re my boy, Blue.
At Startup Institute, we’re big fans of all of the folks at MassChallenge. MC likes to help little baby companies grow up quickly so they can become awkward teenagers who are ready to take over the world. Kara Shurmantine is the ambassador of this wonderful program.
Kara spearheaded the MassChallenge Bridge Program, connecting global economies with Boston innovation's thought leaders, resources, and opportunities. She also played a key role in securing MC's expansion in London, allowing Boston's brand of innovation to spread across the Atlantic to the magical land of lifts, lorries and Downton Abbey.
Tech needs more diversity. Katrina is helping solve that problem. She runs the Women’s iLab which celebrates female founders, leaders, and creatives in Boston and beyond. She’s inspiring the next generation of women innovators and making sure they get the attention they deserve. Now it is time for her to get the attention she deserves. I mean right now - tweet her to tell her she’s awesome.
Outside of his work as Chief Product Designer at Constant Contact, Giles built think-tank Subforum to champion the human experience in Boston design-- raising awareness about and addressing the gulf between research and practice. Giles is committed to elevating product design as both a science and an art form. He also spends countless hours training future entrepreneurs and design-thinkers. He can also jump over buildings and is currently rescuing a baby from a burning building.
Chris is a giver. When he’s not busy running his own company, Chris spends his free-time coaching early-stage startups at MassChallenge, mentoring entrepreneurs at Future Boston Alliance, and getting his teeth knocked-in to help fight cancer with Haymakers for Hope. I’m pretty sure this guy doesn’t sleep. But here's the thing: his toothless smile is always bright and shiny every time I see him.
Wait a second! What the hell is a VC firm doing on this list?
First off, I’m hoping they will lend me $20…. but that’s not why they made the list. People don’t see what they have done to help our ecosystem. These folks are responsible for Angel List and launched Boston Syndicates-- fueling New England tech through collaborative funding. They understand that for their companies to grow, our ecosystem has to be healthy.
Tom is the creative genius behind the first Macintosh brand and by default, the launch of the Apple brand. Before that he helped launch products for Polaroid (for you millennials, Polaroid was the Instagram of its day... except they produced something of value. That last joke made me sound old. Whatever, get off my lawn). Today, he is Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer at Idealab. He sounds pretty big time, right? Here’s the thing: he is also the definition of humility and never seeks the limelight. So few people know just how much he gives to Boston tech. Tom loves to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurial minds, and continuously seeks opportunities to help them pull on their ideas-- pushing them to conquer ordinary.
Kelly Powers is constantly kicking ass and saving the world. She’s like Austin Powers but with better teeth. Kelly’s efforts at the Education Development Center are focused on bringing rigorous STEM and computer science curricula to Massachusetts classrooms. She inspires and empowers the youth (especially young girls and underrepresented minorities) to see their limitless potential in tech through Random Acts of Code and the Technovation Challenge. As a Dad, I can’t thank her enough. Someone needs to teach my daughter how to use the technology that will someday make me cower in fear. Thank you.
The list above is just a small sample of the many unsung heroes in the Boston startup community. I am sure that you know many more people like them. You should hug them as non-awkwardly as possible.
Allan Telio is the VP and Director of Startup Institute Boston. SI is currently accepting applications to their spring class. You should follow him on Twitter.
Photo credit: Sam Howzit via Flickr cc
