What is a
Resident Startup?
news!! MassRobotics Startups Surpass $1B in Funding – read more What is a MassRobotics resident startup?
MassRobotics resident startups are dynamic companies dedicated to advancing robotics and supporting technologies. They aim to transform how we live, work, and play through innovative solutions. Joining MassRobotics means becoming part of a global community of experts and like-minded entrepreneurs. These startups cover a range of stages, from concept to manufacturing, and focus on robotics, AI, and connected devices.
MassRobotics Community
Our unique, custom-built physical space in Boston offers access to resources including robotic platforms, sensors and components, prototyping equipment and testing space. Beyond the physical access, residents have access to domain experts across all aspects of robotics and IoT systems, vetted experts to navigate legal, communications, business development and human resource challenges, local, national and international thought leaders, academics, government officials and industry experts via our partner relationships.
Space & cost
Our residents operate on flexible monthly agreements that enable them to grow without being committed to a long-term contract. Residents can start with an open seat in our shared space and expand to a dedicated bench and/or private office as they grow.
- Open Seat ($)
- Dedicated Lab Bench ($$)
- Private Lab ($$$)
- Private Office ($$$$)
Resident benefits
- Shared lab equipment (3D printers, oscilloscopes, soldering stations, CNC, laser cutter, water jet and more)
- Shared robotic resources (multiple robotic arms, grippers, conveyors, AMRs, sensors and humanoids)
- Open shared desks, dedicated lab benches, private offices and labs
- Complimentary CAD software and Analysis software & Cloud services credits
- Invitation to all MassRobotics events including workshops, webinars, and industry-focused seminars
- Discounts and complimentary tickets to many industry events (RoboBusiness, A3, Robotics Summit, etc.)
- Facilitated Meetings with investors, partners, corporate and foreign delegations, manufacturers and more
- Opportunity to collaborate with Fortune 500 executives and industry partners
- Fundraising help through our investor events and venture capital introductions
- Business development and mentor support through introductions and office hours
Additional benefits
- Participation in MassRobotics partner-funded innovation challenges
- Talent recruitment assistance through targeted career fairs and resume referrals
- Printers, Wi-Fi, security, freight elevator, mailbox/Boston address
- Stocked kitchen with coffee, Bevi and snacks
- Conference rooms and event space for use
- Company logo, description and link on our website
- Company news shared through our social media outlets and newsletter
- Monthly private networking events
“MassRobotics has been a huge support for ORI along every step of our journey. Our need for prototyping space, office space and a flexible term lease at competitive rates steered us toward MassRobotics in the first place, but they have been so much more than a good landlord. The sense of community, the anticipation of our needs, particularly during the pandemic, and the ability to accommodate ORI’s growth over the years all demonstrate the commitment of the MassRobotics team to do everything possible to help ORI be successful. MassRobotics is a true asset to the Boston startup community.” – Ivan Casadevante Etxezarreta, Co-Founder and VP of Product at ORI.
“Choosing to set up at MassRobotics may be the best decision of our seven-year life. Its open resources allowed our $50k initial funding to take us to seed stage and is where we connected with early customers, investors, and partners, including Mitsubishi Electric, which just led our Series B.” – Peter Howard, President, CEO and Co-Founder at Realtime Robotics.
Connections to the community
Our community is the number one reason companies want to become a part of MassRobotics. We help bridge the gap and connect our startups to potential customers and investors, offering facilities and platforms to showcase their technology. The community is made up of VCs, mentors, seasoned robotics professionals and startups coming out of stealth mode. We host focused office hours and facilitate introductions. Many of the startups who have expanded to their own facilities, remain residents to take advantage of our community and connections
How do we support our residents?
We provide our residents with the resources they need to become successful.
Our unique, custom-built shared space in Boston allows for flexibility and growth. Startups can start with an open shared seat with the ability to expand to a lab space or private office whenever needed. All resident startups have access to a variety of conference rooms, an event space as well as a shared kitchen. The innovative space is perfect for hosting board meetings, investor presentations, team meetings and candidate interviews.
Our residents have unlimited access to our prototyping electronics and mechanical labs, as well as our specialized Human Robot Interaction Lab and Industrial Automation Lab. We provide several hardware robotic resources including collaborative arms, grippers, autonomous mobile robots, and a food-safe conveyor. Additionally, our resident startups are offered complimentary software CAD licenses and credits for cloud services. A full listing of benefits can be found here.
massRobotics residents’ Origins
Opportunities for startups
We offer several custom challenges developed to meet the needs of industry and host focused events to connect startups to potential customers
Startup residents can engage with the industry during focused events, networking sessions, and challenges to showcase their technologies and solutions.
Startups in the News
FAQs
Do I need to live in Massachusetts or be a US citizen for my company to become a part of MassRobotics?
No. MassRobotics is a global organization, and we host companies from all over the US, Canada and the entire world. In fact, some international companies looking to expand to the US will start with an open seat at MassRobotics. For many local companies starting out, MassRobotics serves as their first official business location.
Is there a large annual membership fee?
There is no annual or membership fee to join MassRobotics. Our residents join on a monthly basis.
Monthly fee depends on the option you chose and the number of employees on site. We have the affordable and flexible entry level of an open seat option which establishes a presence in our Boston location and full access to all resident benefits. We also offer dedicated lab benches and private offices; prices vary depending on space size and number of employees onsite. Our resident agreement is flexible and can be changed monthly to accommodate companies as they grow or contract.
What kinds of prototyping equipment do you have?
Our labs house a variety of equipment. In our labs, you will find a CNC milling machine, laser cutter, 3D printers, soldering, oscilloscopes, hand tools and much more! Additional details can be found on our facilities page here. There are no additional fees to use the equipment.
Is there a minimum or maximum time a startup can stay at MassRobotics?
We ask that you stay a minimum of three months. The maximum stay is up to the individual startups. We have room for startups to grow and expand depending on their needs. Some startups grow quickly and need to expand into their own space. We often refer to these companies endearingly as graduates or alumni.
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