Join us in celebrating the incredible team at CIC! Startup Boston has honored CIC’s Social Impact Program as our 2024 Equity Champion. The CIC is the go-to host of programming, events, coworking space, and networking for a global network of innovators and entrepreneurs. Last year, the CIC launched its cohort-based Social Impact Program. Through its welcoming community and culture, the Social Impact Program celebrates inclusivity and opportunity for all.
The CIC has intentionally designed the initiative to provide underrepresented founders with the resources and support system to help catapult their ventures. With an unwavering commitment to equity in the innovation ecosystem, the cohort welcomes BIPOC, female-identifying, and veteran entrepreneurs.
We recently had the pleasure of connecting with CIC’s Senior Program Manager, Kat Lazell. Here, Kat dives into CIC’s mission and the scope of services offered to their global audience and shares her advice to founders, favorite parts of Boston’s startup ecosystem, and much more. Read on to learn more about our 2024 Equity Champion, the CIC Social Impact Program!
SB: How did CIC get started, and what is your mission?
KL: Founded in 1999 by Tim Rowe, CIC was created with a mission to fix the world through innovation. We live that mission by creating the best possible environment and programming to enable startups, scale-ups, corporations, and public entities to tackle the biggest local and global challenges while fostering growth and connection.
Today, CIC has a global network of innovation campuses, managing 1.5M square feet
of workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and
Asia. Each CIC Innovation Campus provides a unique combination of workspace,
programming, and consulting, plus an intentional community and culture developed to support the distinct makeup of the community in which it serves.
Our members benefit from CIC’s global community of companies across a broad swath of industries. From startups to multinational corporations to nonprofits and governmental
organizations, CIC members support each other to innovate further and grow faster.
Last year, we had the opportunity to expand the reach of our community and impact through the Social Impact Program, connecting underrepresented founders in Massachusetts with resources to help them grow and succeed. Enabled by grant funding through the Minority Business Development Agency’s Capital Readiness Program, CIC has been able to establish a series of cohort-based programming. We just wrapped up our latest cohort, and we will be launching an early-stage program this fall following an incredible six-month program with growth-stage founders.
SB: What is your favorite part of Boston’s startup community?
KL: The startup ecosystem in Boston is incredibly rich — between the wealth of regular programming geared towards startups to the talented workforce and the global companies headquartered here. There are myriad resources that can support startup growth.
SB: What advice would you give future founders?
KL: Find a community that you can be a part of that will support you on your journey. A founder’s journey is not linear, and the path looks different for each person. Being part of a strong community that will help you navigate is crucial to success. It’s also important to welcome support - we’re lucky to be in Boston, where the resources for entrepreneurs are plentiful. I encourage all future - and current - founders to embrace advice and guidance from those who have been in your shoes, from subject matter experts, and others who believe in the value of startups.
SB: What does this award mean to you?
KL: This award is an incredible honor, reflecting a value that CIC has long held of making our spaces accessible and inclusive. Through the Social Impact Program, we are thrilled to be able to put resources behind supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in their journeys to success. We strive to craft a program that elevates voices - from the speakers to whom we give a platform to the founders going through the program. This award reflects CIC’s deep dedication to supporting founders from all walks of life and is a sign that our work is making an impact. We are excited for what’s to come.
SB: How has Startup Boston been helpful on your journey?
KL: Startup Boston has been an incredible partner for CIC since its establishment, hosting the first Startup Boston at our CIC campus. Our organizations aim to be connectors for innovators and entrepreneurs, understanding that it takes a network of resources and a collaborative environment to catalyze growth.
For the Social Impact Program, Startup Boston has supported our startups in connecting with investors and building their networks within the Greater Boston Area. We are excited to continue to work with Startup to help Boston’s startup ecosystem thrive and be a place where entrepreneurs from all backgrounds can succeed.
Congratulations to the CIC team! Your mission and impact are inspiring. We are eager to watch all of your continued success. Visit CIC’s website to learn more about its mission and services.
Hungry to connect with founders and innovators in the Boston community? Join us for a week of networking and programming at Startup Boston Week! Get your free ticket here.
Deanna Defelice is an accomplished professional in the CPG sector. She is well-experienced with domestic and international supply chains and direct-to-consumer business operations. With a passion for mission-driven brand building, strategy, and innovation, Deanna's current focus is on the FemTech space.
Comentarios