Meet Boston’s Startup Networking Groups: 15 Communities Helping You Plug Into the Ecosystem

Last week, Startup Boston teamed up with the City of Boston to host Meet Boston’s Startup Networking Groups, bringing together founders, operators, students and ecosystem builders for one simple purpose: helping people find their place in the startup community.

The room filled quickly with over 200 attendees connecting directly with communities that make Boston’s startup ecosystem feel accessible, welcoming and collaborative. Because here’s the truth: Boston’s startup scene is vast, but it thrives on human connection. Behind every opportunity, job referral, cofounder match or funding intro is a community where relationships begin.

Each group represented offers a different entry point into the ecosystem, from AI and biotech to hardware, space tech, student founders, and professional growth communities.

If you’re building, exploring, hiring, learning, or simply trying to meet your people, these communities are a powerful place to start.

AfterHours

Undergraduate Startup Community | Website

AfterHours brings together driven undergraduate founders, builders, and creatives who are actively shaping meaningful projects. Rooted in a humanist perspective, the community prioritizes thoughtful innovation, real-world impact, and authentic connection over transactional networking.

ALPFA Boston

Latino Community | Website

ALPFA Boston is the local chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America, dedicated to empowering the Latine community. Since 2000, it has connected more than 10,000 members across Massachusetts through professional development and networking opportunities.

Boston AgTech Meetup

AgTech Community | Website

Boston AgTech Meetup connects founders, professionals, and academics advancing food and agriculture technology. The group spans biotech, software, robotics, and automation, creating a space to share insights and explore opportunities across the agtech ecosystem.

Boston New Technology

Tech Community | Website

Boston New Technology (BNT) connects tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and professionals across New England. For more than 15 years, it has served as a launchpad for startups through networking and educational programming.

Boston Product Association

Product Management Community | Website

The Boston Product Association supports product managers and marketers through monthly events, workshops, and job resources. The organization also offers a one-on-one mentoring program for working professionals.

Cambridge BioTech Club

BioTech Community | Website

This community brings together biotech founders, professionals, academics, and job seekers. Through networking and learning events, members share insights and create new opportunities across the biotech ecosystem.

Entrepreneur Innovation Center

MetroWest Startup Community | Website

Serving founders and operators in the MetroWest region, the Entrepreneur Innovation Center convenes the local startup community through programming and a monthly hardware-focused networking group.

FORGE

Hardware Community | Website

FORGE helps innovators in the physical product space move from prototype to commercialization. Their nonprofit mission focuses on scaling impactful products and strengthening the regional manufacturing ecosystem.

Mass Professional Networking

Business Owners, Entrepreneurs & Local Leaders Community | Website

With more than 20 years of experience, Mass Professional Networking brings together business owners, entrepreneurs and local leaders through coaching, content, and structured events focused on relationship-driven growth.

Mass Technology Leadership Council

Tech Community | Website

MassTLC fosters collaboration among tech companies and supports startups through connections, programming and strategic partnerships designed to drive innovation and address global challenges.

Northeast Space Economic Coalition

Space & Defense Community | Website

This coalition connects leaders across the regional space ecosystem, including academia, government, defense, biotech, law and venture. Its mission is to drive growth, investment, and job creation in the Northeast space economy.

SparkUp AI

AI Community | Website

SparkUp AI is an inclusive community focused on learning and applying artificial intelligence. Through workshops, discussions and mentorship, members develop practical skills while promoting responsible AI use and economic resilience.

Startup Grind Boston

Founder Community | Website

Startup Grind Boston is part of a global founder network built on a give-first ethos. Monthly events connect founders to mentors, investors and next-step programs while fostering execution-focused support.

Venture Café Cambridge

Startup Community | Website

Venture Café Cambridge offers free, high-impact programming that connects innovators and entrepreneurs to resources, mentors and opportunities throughout Greater Boston.

Women Applying AI

Female AI Community | Website

Women Applying AI supports women learning and using AI in their careers and daily lives. Through hands-on programs grounded in real-world challenges, members build skills, confidence and networks to lead with impact.

Why These Communities Matter

A strong startup ecosystem isn’t just built by founders and funders, it’s sustained by the communities that create access, share knowledge, and foster meaningful relationships.

These groups help:

• founders find collaborators and early customers

• operators build skills and career pathways

• students connect to real startup opportunities

• underrepresented builders find belonging and support

• emerging industries build critical mass in Boston

Most importantly, they remind us that building a company doesn’t have to mean building alone.

Huge thanks to the City of Boston for partnering with us on this event, to Nutter for hosting, and to the volunteers and community leaders who welcomed attendees and shared their expertise.

If you’re building in Greater Boston or New England, this is your reminder: there isn’t one door into the startup ecosystem: there are many. Find the community that fits you, show up consistently, and let relationships do the rest.

And if you lead a community that supports founders, operators, or innovators, you can submit your group to the The Startup Directory to help more people discover it.