Startups: TechStars & MassChallenge
Early Startup Experience with MassChallenge
During my senior year of undergrad at Tufts I co-founded TeemPlay with a few friends. We pitched our business plan in competitions. We made it to the finals at the FAU business plan competition and we also placed 2nd overall at the Tufts 100k. Afterwards we applied to incubator programs and we were accepted into the MassChallenge program which accepts ~8% of the 2,000+ applications each year.
Later Startup Experience with TechStars
Years later, I entered another incubator program—this time with Shipshape. This time around was very different as we had a lot more experience. We had already built a product, partnered with providers, and raised nearly $8 million in funding. Our team included 30 people instead of just 3 and TechStars asked us to participate and waived the application process entirely.
I presented in that exact spot for the semi-finals
Screenshot from a Prezi desk I made when pitching at competitions and applying to incubator programs
TechStars wanted Shipshape so badly they waived the application process for us
Willis (left), Steve (middle), and me (right) wearing our MassChallenge shirts at the start of the program