September 17, 2019 Informal networking anchored by a high-energy supplier showcase was combined with a structured program of startup finalist pitches for $15,000 in non-dilutive Engineer in Residence (EIR) grants. The event drew over 200 attendees from across the robust Massachusetts innovation and manufacturing ecosystems. Five finalist startups gave live pitches describing their company and…
April 30, 2021 FORGE hosted a public, virtual Rocket Roundtable for Supply Chain Solutions, where an autonomous vehicle startup pitched their physical product challenges and received live advice from the supply chain expert panelists. This Rocket Pitch was more of a “Drone Pitch”, as it centered on a single startup, Airgility, which is an early-stage…
April 23, 2021 FORGE hosted its first collaborative event with our new Titanium partner Mintz, one of the most innovative and successful IP Law firms in the country. The Mintz Masterclass: Patents 101 focused on intellectual property rights for the nearly 50 startups and innovators in attendance. It was presented by attorney Michael Van Loy,…
March 18, 2021 FORGE hosted its first Design Challenge, allowing three startups to pitch their mechanical design challenges to supplier experts. The panel featured representatives from ICSN Group, a product development firm with a branch office right here in Massachusetts! ICSN specializes in design for manufacturability, engineering, and contract manufacturing. The first startup, Urbx, is…
At FORGE, we believe in the value of supporting innovation, stimulating the local economy, and connecting the vast networks of creators and manufacturers in Massachusetts and New England. The state of Massachusetts itself, where FORGE maintains its offices, has the largest concentration of people employed in the innovation ecosystem in the country, with roughly 38%…
Huge thank you to John Erickson of Product Resources for authoring this article on product development and release for manufacturing! Read on to learn more and find out how to engage. While developing a product, a company will usually go through multiple iterations of prototypes while refining the design. Building prototypes allows engineers to validate…
Huge thank you to Andrew Hyatt of Intertek for authoring this article on why testing and certification is key to consider in the product development process! Read on to learn more and find out how to engage. Product testing and certification should be a boardroom-level discussion, not simply the last step of research and development…
On October 22, FORGE hosted its second annual Manufacturing and Innovation Showcase, held virtually this year. The event included main stage keynote speakers, startup pitches, a virtual manufacturer expo, and the opportunity to network across the innovation ecosystem. Hundreds of registrants came from over 15 different countries. Innovators and supply chain experts connected with high…
Massachusetts is uniquely positioned for recovery from the pandemic, and growth – with both a first class innovation ecosystem and more than 7,000 manufacturers right here in the state. The innovation and manufacturing sectors here are key drivers of economic growth and activity. The value of the two sectors working together has been…
Key Benefits of Securing and Diversifying Your Supply Chain During COVID-19 Image courtesy of Treasury & Risk Global supply chains are being radically disrupted by COVID-19. Innovative companies are navigating these changes, and in some cases pivoting to help in the fight against coronavirus. Securing and diversifying supply chain and hardware-friendly funding is crucial for your…
