Not in Boston? Here’s Why It’s Still Worth the Trip for Startup Boston Week
- Stephanie Roulic
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
So you’re not based in Boston - but you’re startup-curious, building something new, investing, or just looking for your next big break in the ecosystem? We get it. Traveling for a conference can feel like a big lift.
But Startup Boston Week isn’t your average conference.
It’s five days of actionable content, thousands of meaningful connections, and a distinctly New England energy - equal parts hustle and humility. Oh, and it’s totally free.
This post is your guide to why it’s worth the trip.
What you’ll gain by attending in person, how to get here, and where to meet other attendees for breakfast, lunch, and after-hours hangs once you’ve arrived.
Table of Contents:
Why People Travel in for Startup Boston Week
What You’ll Gain from Coming In Person
Traveling In? Here is How to Get Here and Where to Stay
Where to Have that Breakfast or Dinner Meeting
Why People Travel in for Startup Boston Week
We asked a few out-of-town attendees why they made the trip - and what they walked away with:
"Last year, I did New York [...] and I really felt like when I got home, it's like I didn't feel as energized. I just remember what I remember from the previous year at Startup Boston Week. Boston helps me make connections that can last a long time in the local ecosystem." - Erik Rios, VP of Engineering, Big Bang; traveling from Connecticut
“The best thing I get [from Startup Boston Week] is inspiration, motivation to keep moving forward, advice and wisdom from other founders and also other people who have been successful in the industry for many years. I feel recharged and inspired to keep on going forward.” - Ally Zhang, CEO & Cofounder, Healthful; building her startup between Canada and Boston
“What I love most about Startup Boston Week is that it’s a really cool, very informative space full of brilliant people. The opportunity to meet some people that I would have never met had I just stayed home this week. So it’s been really exciting, meeting some incredibly influential people.” - Taylor Miller-Goulait, Founder, Monarch Coaching; traveling from Michigan
"We, as a service provider for startups, target the top startup events throughout the continent. This year, we’re doing about 35 different shows throughout the country. This is probably one of my most favorite ones. I’ve been coming here and sponsoring this event for the past two years. It’s because of the very, very high quality of the content that’s produced in this event that draws in the right kind of people that we want to talk to, which is typically founders that are looking to change the world.” - Suvojit Ghosh, Founder, FYELABS; traveling from Canada
What You’ll Gain from Coming In Person
Sure, we stream a bunch of sessions. But nothing beats being there. Here’s why showing up in person unlocks a whole other level of opportunity:
Serendipitous connections in the hallways, coffee lines, and happy hoursSome of the best moments at SBW don’t happen on stage - they happen between sessions. Whether you’re waiting for a cup of coffee, reviewing notes outside a panel or striking up conversation at a happy hour, these low-pressure environments make it easy to meet your next co-founder, customer, or mentor.
No awkward icebreakers required - just a shared curiosity and a willingness to say hello.
A mini MBA - without the tuition bill
Startup Boston Week isn’t just about big ideas, it’s about the tactical, often-overlooked stuff that makes or breaks companies. Think pricing strategies, founder equity splits, early customer acquisition, building your first sales playbook, hiring your first PM, or going from $1M to $10M ARR.
Whether you’re still validating your idea, just landed your first customers, or gearing up to scale, you’ll find sessions built specifically for your stage, and taught by people who’ve actually done it.
Local founder and investor insights you won’t find on YouTube
Boston has a startup culture that’s collaborative, candid and quietly powerful. At SBW, you’ll hear unfiltered advice from people actually building here - what’s working, what isn’t, and where the hidden opportunities lie. Whether it’s how a founder navigated a tricky pivot, or how a local VC is thinking about pre-seed rounds in 2025, these are the insights you won’t find in blog posts or podcasts.
Looking to join a startup? Showing up in person is one of the best ways to stand out.
Plenty of startups attend SBW looking for talent - but not always through formal job fairs. You might meet a founder gearing up to raise who needs a marketer, or an operator who says, “We’re not hiring yet, but let’s stay in touch.”
Bring a resume if you want, but what really matters is genuine connection. People find jobs here. They find cofounders, mentors, and collaborators. This is where startup journeys begin.
A chance to plug into one of the strongest startup ecosystems on the East Coast
Startup Boston Week is more than a conference, it’s a window into a year-round ecosystem.
By attending in person, you’re not just learning for five days. You’re planting roots in a community that includes accelerators, networking groups, investors, coworking spaces, and fellow builders who’ll remember you after the week is over. Whether you move here or just want to keep a foot in the ecosystem, this is your launchpad.
Traveling In? Here is How to Get Here and Where to Stay
If you’re coming in from out of town for Startup Boston Week, you’re not alone—and the good news is that getting here is simple, and staying nearby is even easier.
LocationStartup Boston Week 2025 takes place at Suffolk University, located in the heart of downtown Boston. The campus sits right next to Boston Common and is surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, coworking spaces, and easy public transit. Whether you’re flying, taking the train, or riding the bus, it’s all within reach.
Getting Here:
By plane: Logan International Airport (BOS) is just 20 minutes from Suffolk University by car or public transit. The Silver Line of the MBTA (Boston’s subway system, known locally as “the T”) connects directly from the airport to downtown.
By train or bus: Amtrak, commuter rail, and regional bus lines all arrive at South Station, which is just a 10-minute walk from the event venue.
Where to Stay
Boston is a walkable city, and we encourage you to take advantage of it. Booking a hotel in downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, or Cambridge will keep you close to the action while giving you a chance to explore the city’s startup energy and history between sessions.
A few hotel options near Suffolk University to consider:
The Godfrey Hotel Boston (3 minute walk)
Hotel AKA Boston Common (1 minute walk)
Omni Parker House (3 minute walk)
Club Quarters, Hotel Faneuil Hall (7 minute walk)
Hyatt Regency Boston (7 minute walk)
Boston Marriott Long Wharf (15 minute walk)
Beacon Hill Hotel (15 minute walk)
If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, consider staying just outside downtown and using the T to get into the city each day. Areas like Quincy, Somerville and Cambridge.
Where to Have that Breakfast or Dinner Meeting
Startup Boston Week is packed with panels, workshops, and spontaneous hallway chats - but sometimes the best conversations happen over a good meal. Whether you’re meeting a fellow founder, connecting with a potential investor, or just looking to unwind with your team, Boston has plenty of great spots for grabbing breakfast or dinner within walking distance of Suffolk University.
Breakfast & Coffee Meetings
Start your morning with a quick bite or a relaxed conversation at one of these reliable options:
Cafe Bonjour (3 minute walk)
Cafe 26 (3 minute walk)
Tattee Bakery & Cafe, One Place Boston (5 minute walk)
The Well Coffee House (5 minute walk)
Fill-A-Buster (7 minute walk)
Revival Cafe + Kitchen (7 minute walk)
Flour Bakery + Caffe, Boston Common (5 minute walk)
Dinner & Evening Meetups
When the sessions wind down and you’re ready to keep the conversation going, consider these nearby restaurants:
MAST (3 minute walk)
Saloniki Greek (3 minute walk)
The Merchant Kitchen & Drinks (5 minute walk)
The Q (10 minute walk)
French Quarter (7 minute walk)
Back Deck (5 minute walk)
Yvonne’s (2 minute walk)
Mariel (15 minute walk)
If you’re looking to coordinate something casual, Startup Boston Week will also have a few designated meetups and happy hours throughout the week, be sure to check the schedule for where to go each evening.
Bottom line? The Trip is Worth It.
Startup Boston Week is built by the community, for the community. Every panelist, volunteer, and organizer shows up because they believe in growing this ecosystem together - and they want you in the room too.
If you’re thinking about making the trip: do it. You won’t just leave with notes and LinkedIn connections, you’ll leave feeling like you’re part of something bigger.
Grab your free ticket now and start planning your Boston adventure.
