FORGE Blog

Tour of Advance Welding featuring Representative Ramos and Representative Gonzalez

Facility Tour – Forging Futures: How Advance Welding and WNE Are Training the Next Generation of Welders Using Robotic Technology

ByFORGE Team

On April 17th, FORGE brought together state leaders, industry, and educators for a factory tour at Advance Welding in Springfield, Massachusetts to spotlight regional innovation and workforce development in advanced manufacturing. The event also highlighted a strong partnership between Advance Welding and Western New England University (WNE), a collaboration equipping students with hands-on experience in…

FORGE Supply Chain CO2 Emissions Estimator cover image

The climate-saving power of localized supply chains

ByFORGE Team

by Paige Romanick, Strategic Projects Associate Supply chains are a significant source of CO2 emissions for consumer companies, comprising over 80 percent of their total greenhouse gas emissions (Bove & Swartz, 2016). By partnering with local manufacturers, companies can reduce these emissions while gaining significant operational benefits. The impact of CO2 emissions Carbon dioxide, or…

FORGE 2024 Impact Report cover

FORGE 2024 Impact Report

ByRay Bernoff

Read on to celebrate everything our network of innovative companies, supply chain members, and ecosystem collaborators achieved in 2024. Together, we made a tangible impact on physical product innovation in New England this year, and we look forward to continuing to fulfill our mission in 2025 and beyond.

Behind the scenes at FORGE - FORGE team members at the Mass Manufacturing Mash-Up

Behind the scenes at FORGE

ByFORGE Team

by Sofia Bueso, FORGE Event Marketing Associate Each day at FORGE begins with the energy of the Green Line commute and a warm welcome at the front desk. The moment you walk into our Somerville headquarters in FORGE’s sister organization Greentown Labs, there’s a sense of camaraderie setting the tone for a day filled with…

Scaling hardtech with machines in a factory

Best practices for scaling hardtech innovation

ByRay Bernoff

David Thompson, Program Director The journey from prototype to mass production can be full of twists and turns. Following these best practices for scaling hardtech innovation can smooth out the journey and help innovators and startups grow faster. For hardtech innovation mentorship, manufacturing readiness education, and connections to right-fit suppliers and manufacturers that can help…

Graphic: Key considerations for medical device startups moving from prototype to production

Bridging the gap: From prototype to production for medical device startups

ByFORGE Team

Manufacturing a medical device is fundamentally different from producing a consumer or other non-medical device. The stakes are higher, the regulations stricter, and the need for precision and reliability greater. Here’s what medical device startups need to keep in mind on the journey from prototype to full-scale production. Regulatory compliance Ensuring your device meets all…

FORGE and Startup Boston logos

FORGE wins Startup Boston 2024 Community Award

ByRay Bernoff

FORGE was honored to accept the Startup Boston Community Award for Best Accelerator or Incubator Program of the year!  Startup Boston is an organization that supports innovation in the Boston area and throughout New England by educating, connecting, and celebrating entrepreneurs. It began as a community event, Startup Boston Week. Since its founding in 2016,…

FORGE 2023 impact report cover with electronics factory workers

FORGE 2023 Impact Report

ByFORGE Team

Your belief in our model — manufacturing readiness education and right-fit connections — is what enables us to grow, and we’re grateful that we could expand so much last year. Come see what we and our network of innovative companies and supply chain members, partners, and ecosystem collaborators made happen in 2023. If you’ve already joined us for the ride in 2024, thank you. And if you haven’t, we invite you to come along. It’s going to be an amazing year!

Statistics about the average FORGE startup

Manufacturer Perspectives: Why You Should Work With Innovators

ByFORGE Team

Startups and manufacturers are drivers of the local economy, and when they collaborate they can accelerate bringing leading-edge technologies to market together, with talent attraction and business growth benefits for the suppliers. However, there are barriers of perception and of lack of supporting tools that can prevent these fruitful collaborations. Startups often assume they must…