First Time at Startup Boston Week? Your SBW2025 Starter Pack
- Stephanie Roulic
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
You’re coming to Startup Boston Week 2025! Amazing choice. Five days, thousands of people, endless ideas flying around - and yes, it can feel a lot. But don’t worry, this starter pack’s got your back. Think of it as your cheat sheet to navigating the week, meeting the right people, and actually enjoying yourself without feeling like you need a full-time assistant.
Don’t have a ticket yet? No problem! Register for free right here. We’re excited to see you September 8 -12 at Suffolk University (and virtually).
What Even Is Startup Boston Week?
Think of it as the ultimate mashup of founders, startup operators, investors and startup-curious humans all packed into one week. Panels, workshops, networking events, celebratory mixers - you name it.
All free. All designed to help you learn something new, meet people who get what you’re building (or dreaming about building) and maybe even spark collaborations you didn’t see coming.
Who Puts This On?
That would be Startup Boston, the organization working behind the curtain. SBW is our big annual celebration of the ecosystem, but we’re around all year - hosting events, creating resources and connecting anyone who’s in (or wants to be in) the New England startup scene.
Basically, if you like this week, stick with us. We’ll keep you busy, inspired, and maybe even a little exhausted (in the best way).
Pro tip: Subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this blog to stay in the loop on what’s happening in our startup scene!
Why You Should Care
SBW isn’t just another conference.
It’s your chance to see the ecosystem in action, pick up real-world startup advice, meet the people who are actually building, investing in and supporting startups, and maybe even find the next person you collaborate with - or hire.
Think of it as your five-day crash course in the New England startup scene…with plenty of fun built in.
Getting to Startup Boston Week
Flying in? Driving in? Teleporting in? However you get here, we’ve got you covered. We pulled together hotel tips and travel details right here. You’ll also find recommended coffee shops for meeting up with startup folks you meet at SBW2025 in that link too!
How to Build Your Schedule (Without Melting Your Brain)
The schedule is stacked, but you don’t need to go to everything. Here’s how to make it manageable:
Pick a Track: Founder, product, marketing, AI, idea, traction, scale - sessions are grouped so you can follow your vibe. Definitely use the Filters as well to help you filter through all 101 sessions and figure out what aligns best with your interests
Build Your Schedule: Use the online agenda to add sessions and see what your week could look like, this way you don’t miss sessions you want to make!
Get the App: Download the Sched app to keep it all in your pocket. Directions are here.
Meeting People And Getting Your Questions Answered
Here’s the secret: everyone’s here to connect.
Hop on the attendee directory + Slack channel to find people before and during the week.
Don’t overthink the in-person intros. “Hey, what are you building?” is all you need.
Bring questions and notebooks. Our speakers are excited to answer the questions you have about building a startup.
People still use business cards, so definitely order them and have them with you!
Follow up after the event. A quick LinkedIn connection or email after you meet someone goes a long way, especially if you mention what you talked about.
Use the hallway time. Some of the best conversations happen between sessions or while grabbing coffee. Don’t feel like you have to rush to the next panel.
Be ready to share your own story. Even if you’re just exploring the startup world, have a 30-second version of “what you’re up to” so people can connect the dots.
Give as much as you get. If you can make an intro or share a resource, do it. That’s how Startup Boston Week keeps its magic.
Want to Shout Out Your Startup?
We’ve got two ways to get your company in the spotlight at Startup Boston Week 2025:
Opening Party Shoutouts
Got a big milestone or win? Share it with us, and we’ll feature it on the big screen during the Opening Party.
Closing Party & Startup Showcase
Want to showcase your startup in person? Grab a free demo table at our Closing Party & Startup Showcase!
When to claim your table: Friday, Sept 12 at 9:00am at Suffolk University (first come, first served).
When to showcase: That evening at 6:30pm during the Closing Party.
What you can do at your table: Demo your product, gather feedback, meet potential customers, or just show off what you’re building.
First-Timer FAQs
Do I need to stay the whole day?
Nope. Pick what matters to you and roll in/out as you want.
Is this for me if I’m not a founder?
100%. We’ve got operators, investors, students, startup-curious folks, all are welcome.
What should I wear?
Call it “startup casual.” Jeans, blazers, sneakers - it all flies here.
Do I have to register for each session?
No, but for the really popular ones, you’ll want to show up early.
Are events available virtually?
Yes, some of them all. When viewing the schedule, you’ll see the “In Person vs. Hybrid” filter. The “Hybrid” filter means sessions are available virtually as well.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes. But they won’t be available immediately after the conference. So if you have burning questions now, you’ll want to catch them in-real time.
Can I ask questions during the sessions?
Yes, but we prioritize in-person questions.
Is there a place to take calls at SBW?
Yes. This is space around Suffolk University (our venue host) where you can pop open a laptop and take a talk. There are also plenty of cafes, within walking distance, you can pop over to as well. View that list here.
How can I speak at the next Startup Boston Week?
We typically open our call for speakers March - May for that following September. To stay in the loop on when our next call for speakers goes live, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this blog.
How can I join the Startup Boston Organizing Team?
Our team is full of incredible individuals that work in the startup world and are excited to give back by donating their time to support the creation of events and content supporting the startup community. If you are interested in getting involved on-site at SBW2025, drop your information here. And subscribe to our newsletter directly at the end of this blog to stay in the loop on when we open up applications to join the team.
Last Thing
Your first Startup Boston Week might feel big, but it’s also one of the most welcoming places to jump in. Bookmark this, build your agenda and get ready! Your SBW2025 adventure starts now.
