MassChallenge

October 2014

One idea has the potential to change the world.

It is with this belief that MassChallenge was founded in 2009 in Boston by John Harthorne and Akhil Nigam. They had a desire to take ideas, nurture them and help them fulfil their potential.

The non-profit organisation runs an accelerator programme for promising startups with the support they need to catalyze their growth. Successful applicants take part in a four month long programme where they are given free office space and a group of mentors. They are offered the chance to attend workshops, seminars and lectures to help learn about the logistics of starting a business and are given access to MassChallenge’s impressive networks.

At the end of the programme, participating startups pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to win no strings attached cash prizes. The aim of MassChallenge is to bring about a global startup renaissance.

Rumi Verjee was asked to be a judge at the 2014 MassChallenge Awards in Boston where Eric Schmidt of Google and Travis Kalanick of Uber were also keynote speakers highlighting the importance and potential of startups for the economy.

Since it began, MassChallenge has seen huge growth supporting 5 generations of startups. It has also seen its reach spread across the world with activity moving to Israel and now the UK.

With Rumi’s own entrepreneurial experience, The Rumi Foundation is a proud supporter of MassChallenge.

Rumi Verjee sits on the Global Advisory Board of MassChallenge and attended its UK launch.