Where
WPI
Rubin Campus Center
The Path to Scale: 
Increase Your Odds! Scaling your Tech Business in the Worcester Region
On-line Registration is now closed. Walk-ins will be accepted. Please join us!
Growing and scaling a business is never easy. It comes with risks in which even the best founders face challenges, make mistakes and face doubt and uncertainty. The ability to monetize your ideas and take them to a broader audience requires skills, surrounding yourself with the right team and the ability to navigate and take advantage of the resources available to you.
Join us for this multi-dimensional program to navigate the opportunities and resources available in the Worcester region to increase your odds of scaling upwards. Also included in the day is a "Pitch it to Win it" program where 10 of Worcester's top entrepreneurs will pitch in front of a panel of expert judges for feedback and a chance at the crown!
- An overview of the Worcester region tech ecosystem and the ups and downs of scaling well
- A full understanding of the resources available to help grow your business in the region
- Tips for perfecting the pitch
- Networking with legislators including Secretary Greg Bialecki and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern
Program Agenda:
9:30-10:00am Networking and Registration
10:00-10:10am Welcome by Jerry Bird, President, MassVentures
10:10-11:10am Siezing Opportunities, Overcoming Obstacles
As the second largest city in New England, Worcester and it's expanding suburbs provide a tremendous opportunity for people to grow their idea into a thriving business. But what is it that may be holding you back? During this hour, let's discuss what the ecosystem looks like and the opportunities and challenges that exist.
Moderator: Jerry Bird, President, MassVentures
Panelists:
- Ryan Leary, Co-founder, RunningStart
- Art Martin, Senior Business Advisor, MSBDC, Clark University
- Kevin O'Sullivan, President and CEO, MassBiomedical Initiatives
- Paul Varadian, CEO, AlumniBridge
11:30-12:30pm Navigating the Resources to Scale
With Boston and Cambridge only an hour from Worcester, the resources available around the State for entrepreneurs to scale their business are abundant. However, determinng what those resources are and how to take full advantage of them can be a puzzle. Let's discuss these resources - from financing, to mentorship, advisors, partners and potential customers - to help early stage entrepreneurs win in the Worcester region.
Moderator: Mark Rice, Vice Provost for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, WPI
Panelists:
- Jerry Bird, President, MassVentures
- John Harthorne, Founder and CEO, MassChallenge
- Pamela Norton, VP for Industry Relations and Programs, Mass Life Science Center
- Tripp Peake, General Partner, Long River Ventures
- Jim Kenney, Vice President, MassDevelopment
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
Over lunch we will hear from three special guests:
- Greg Bialecki, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, State of MA
- Laurie Leshin, President, WPI
- Jim McGovern, U.S. Representative, 2nd District of MA
1:30-3:00 Pitch it to Win it!
For the next 90 minutes, ten entrepreneurs will be given 3 minutes to pitch their business to a panel of expert judges. Following the pitch, each team will receive real-time feedback from our experts. Following the pitch, a winner will be announced with special prizes awarded.
Our judges:
- Adam Collette, President and Co-founder, VitaThread
- John Harthorne, Founder and CEO, MassChallenge
- Jennifer Jordan, MassVentures
- Kevin O'Sullivan, President and CEO, MassBiomedical Initiatives
- Nick Pappas, Vice President, MassVentures
- Tripp Peake, General Partner, Long River Ventures
- Joel Schwartz, Sr. VP and GM, Global New Business Development, EMC Corporation
- Paul Varadian, CEO, AlumniBridge
About MassVentures
MassVentures is a venture capital firm focused on fueling the Massachusetts innovation economy by funding early-stage, high-growth Massachusetts startups as they move from concept to commercialization.
MassVentures focuses on Series A investments and considers occasional and opportunistic seed rounds. We provide capital for first-time CEOs and/or founders and consider industry segments not adequately served by the venture community.
Our track record of success combined with our expertise, contacts and support for entrepreneurs makes MassVentures an attractive venture partner for early-stage companies in Massachusetts.