VENTURE FORUM ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES FOR STARTUP COMMUNITY
IN WORCESTER & CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Opportunities for Entrepreneurs Include Pitch Events, Mentoring Programs,
New Platform of Startup Resources & More
WORCESTER, MASS. (March 6, 2024) — Venture Forum, a startup community that helps entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses in central Massachusetts, is excited to announce a wide array of new opportunities for startups including signature pitch events, mentorship programs, a new virtual platform providing easy access to startup and business development resources in Greater Worcester, and more.
Venture Forum’s mission is to inspire and accelerate the growth of technology-based or scalable startups in Worcester and the surrounding area by promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation through impactful, inclusive mentorship and programming.
“At Venture Forum, we believe that Worcester has the opportunity to become a globally competitive startup hub,” said Zachary Dutton, Executive Director of Venture Forum. “As part of achieving that vision, we are growing and developing new programs intended to serve as catalysts for local entrepreneurs, enabling them to access mentorship, capital, and talent at every stage of growth.”
Here are the current and upcoming new programs and opportunities for startups from Venture Forum:
Mentor Match Program: This cohort-based, 8-week program is designed to meet the needs of early-stage startups by pairing founders with experienced, hands-on mentors, to support them in the development of their business plans, successful company launches, and efficient capital raising. Venture Forum plans to run two cohorts this year, and the first cohort is forming now.
Launch Worcester: Launch Worcester, powered by Venture Forum, is the new platform for startup and business development resources in Greater Worcester. Integrating AI and an active community of members, Launch Worcester helps entrepreneurs and business owners connect with local resources to grow their companies. The official launch celebration for Launch Worcester will take place on March 18th at 5pm at Redemption Rock Brewing Co. in Worcester.
WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown: For the first time this April, top student entrepreneurs from Worcester-area colleges will have the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition for funding from local angel investors. The event will be held at the BrickBox Theater in downtown Worcester on April 2nd at 5pm.
5 Minute Pitch (5MP) Competition: As Worcester’s premier pitch competition and mentoring program for scalable startups seeking seed investment, this competition offers personalized advisory and mentorship assistance to startups with a business model or technological innovation and the opportunity to win non-dilutive funding. For the third year in a row, the 2024 competition will be held on November 5th at the BrickBox Theater in downtown Worcester.
Speaker Series: Venture Forum hosts quarterly networking events for the startup and business community featuring presentations from entrepreneurs or subject matter experts in a variety of fields, from the rise of AI to the different avenues for funding a business.
Spark Mentorship Program: In partnership with Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), a nonprofit life science startup incubator, this free mentoring program supports early-stage life science entrepreneurs developing innovative breakthrough science and technologies and prepares later-stage companies to successfully raise capital.
Learn more about Venture Forum and all of its programs at theventureforum.org.
About Venture Forum
Venture Forum is a startup community sparking economic growth and job creation by helping entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses in Central Massachusetts. The organization promotes a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation through impactful, inclusive mentorship and programming. Learn more at theventureforum.org and follow on LinkedIn and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT:
LAZ PR
Lisa Lazarczyk
lisa@lazpr.com or 617.838.7327
