Sandwiched between rows of warehouses within the South Boston Waterfront, MassRobotics serves as each an incubator and import hub for the town’s vibrant robotics neighborhood. Quickly, it’s going to add accelerator to that checklist. This morning the nonprofit introduced the forthcoming arrival of its merely named MassRobotics Accelerator.
Purposes are actually open for the 13-week program, which focuses on early-stage robotics startups — significantly these working in {hardware}, elements and purposes. Corporations accepted into the incubator will acquired $100,000 in non-dilutive funding. The funding comes by the use of MassTech, a company developed to foster expertise within the state.
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Ten firms shall be included within the spherical. MassRobotics factors out that that it gained’t be getting an fairness stake within the firms. “We really feel it’s the primary equity-free robotics accelerator within the U.S.,” the accelerator’s director, Marita McGinn, tells TechCrunch.
Groups may have entry to MassRobotics’ amenities, which embody instruments like CNC machines, laser and waterjet cutters and 3D printers for {hardware} prototyping. The positioning additionally options Industrial Automation and Human Robotic Interplay (HRI) labs, and a slew of various robotic {hardware} platforms. Human mentors can even be out there, for each the technical and enterprise sides.
Picture Credit: MassRobotics
The applying course of “tender launched” October 16. It closes on the finish of November. The four-month program kicks off February 5, culminating in a Might 2 demo day, held as a part of Boston’s Robotics Summit & Expo.
McGinn says there’s a “sturdy choice” for firms already based mostly in Massachusetts, however this system doesn’t have any form of quota to that impact.
“We’re actually searching for probably the most attention-grabbing firms,” she says. “One of many issues we actually labored on with MassTech is methods to entice firms to return to Massachusetts. Ultimately, I feel will probably be a pleasant assortment of Mass-based firms and perhaps firms from different components of the nation or worldwide. Corporations which might be out of state have to have some form of dedication to Massachusetts, one yr post-accelerator.”
McGinn provides that range — one thing too typically missing within the trade — can even be a focus for purposes. “We are going to completely guarantee that it appears and feels numerous from each standpoint.”