October 2025’s Top Startup Events in Boston
- Stephanie Roulic
- 13 minutes ago
- 8 min read
October is shaping up to be an exciting month for Boston’s startup ecosystem, packed with events that connect founders, investors and innovators across industries.Â
Startup Boston is proud to feature four can’t-miss experiences this month:
Cofounder Matching (Oct 14) – Looking for your future cofounder? This invite-only mixer is your chance to meet motivated entrepreneurs ready to start or join a startup.
B2B Founders’ Dinner (Oct 15) – An intimate, candid dinner for Seed and Series A founders to swap stories, share what’s working (and what’s not), and connect over great food.
Mentor Matching for Early-Stage Founders (Oct 21) – Small group discussions with experienced mentors to ask questions, get advice, and build connections that could shape your startup journey.
Pitching Boston’s Future: A Climatetech Showcase for Underrepresented Founders (Oct 27) – High-energy pitches, cash prizes, exclusive perks, and a front-row seat to the next generation of climate innovators. Think your climatetech startup has what it takes? Submit your venture here.
These Startup Boston events join a broader lineup of October happenings - from Boston AI Week and Tough Tech Week to unique networking mixers, immersive workshops, and inspiring showcases - making it the perfect month to learn, connect, and accelerate your startup journey.
October’s Top Startup Events
Boston AI Week 2025Â
Date: Friday, September 26 - Friday, October 3Â
Organizer: Boston AI WeekÂ
Location: various locations in MA; register hereÂ
Boston AI Week is a week-long festival bringing together Massachusetts’ entire AI ecosystem—startups, enterprises, investors, researchers, artists, students, and government—to explore, build, and accelerate the future of artificial intelligence. With over 100 events and 10,000+ participants expected in 2025, it’s the largest AI gathering on Earth. The mission: to make AI accessible, impactful, and inclusive for all while building a stronger, more connected community.
Cocoa Futures: Innovation, Impact, and Indulgence in Chocolate’s Next Era
Date: October 1, 15 and 29Â
Organizer: Branchfood
Location: virtual; register here
Cocoa Futures is a three-part virtual event series this October exploring the technologies, values, and shifting consumer behaviors shaping the future of chocolate. Hosted by Branchfood in partnership with Business Location Switzerland, the series brings together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to discuss everything from breakthrough products to sustainability and evolving market demands. Whether you’re building, funding, or sourcing in the food space, this is your chance to hear from the visionaries defining the next generation of chocolate.
Energy Innovation on Main Street
Date: October 1Â
Organizer: Young Professionals in Energy and College to Climate
Location: Cambridge, MA; register here
The hottest startup around is your local community—join this Climate Salon, hosted with Young Professionals in Energy and College to Climate, to explore climate innovations happening close to home. From college campuses to corporate initiatives, they’ll spotlight the people, projects, and programs driving local climate impact.Â
128 Innovation Corridor: Innovation Exchange – AI & Healthcare Edition
Date: October 2Â
Organizer: 128 Innovation Corridor Innovation ExchangeÂ
Location: Waltham, MA; register here
Participate in the launch of the 128 Innovation Corridor Innovation Exchange, a new series connecting innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs across industries. This inaugural session, part of Boston AI Week, spotlights AI and healthcare innovation with networking, idea discovery, and four cutting-edge startup presentations. Be part of the regional conversation shaping the future of AI and healthcare beyond Cambridge and throughout the 128 Corridor.
Founders’ Hustle Day @BU: Founder Role-Play-Game For A Day
Date: October 4
Organizer: SimBusÂ
Location: Brookline, MA; register here
Want to experience the thrill of building a company in a single day? Join this full-day, cross-university event where you’ll become a founder, collaborate with teammates, negotiate in a live marketplace, and compete for prizes—all while enjoying free food, drinks, and professional headshots. No lectures, no pitch decks—just fast-paced fun, creativity, and networking with sharp students from across Greater Boston.
VC x Founder Pickleball
Date: October 7Â
Organizer: Dualboot Partners
Location: South Boston, MA; register here
Boston’s startup scene is competitive, but this event swaps boardrooms for the pickleball court. Join CEOs, CTOs, and VCs for a unique networking experience—play a few matches, then connect with founders and investors who understand the same pressures you face. Expect candid conversations, meaningful connections, and a community vibe that goes beyond the usual mixer, where Boston’s next big moves take shape.
Chatham Conference
Date: October 7 & 8
Organizer: Future Forward Events
Location: Chatham, MA; register here
After 25 years, the Nantucket Conference is reimagined and relocated to Chatham, welcoming C-level leaders and investors shaping high-growth companies. The 2025 event takes place October 7–8 at the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, offering a more convenient location for meaningful connections and peer conversations. Join an intimate, collaborative environment designed to accelerate growth, foster relationships, and inspire new ideas.Â
10X Venture Partners Accredited Investor Networking Event
Date: October 8Â
Organizer: ​Jason Syversen
Location: Everett, MA; register here
An exclusive tech investor meetup at a Boston-area brewery, connecting angel investors and venture capitalists from across the region. Enjoy free drinks and pizza while networking and discussing opportunities with fellow active investors. Building on last year’s success with 35+ attendees, 2025 promises even more connections and insights.
Swing Into Success: NSBE Boston Golf & Networking
Date: October 8Â
Organizer: NSBE Boston Professionals
Location: Quincy, MA; register here
Join NSBE Boston on Wednesday, October 8th, for an evening of golf and networking at the Granite Links Driving Range in Quincy, open to all skill levels. Your ticket includes 2 hours of range access, unlimited balls and clubs, and professional coaching, making it the perfect chance to learn, practice, and improve your game. Connect with fellow members and professionals in a relaxed, social setting while enjoying food and beverages available for purchase on site.
TEDx Berkshires 2025
Date: October 9Â
Organizer: Berkshire Innovation Center
Location: Pittsfield, MA; register here
TEDx Berkshires 2025 brings together a community of thinkers, doers, and changemakers to share ideas that inspire and transform. Hear from speakers with the wisdom, passion, and solutions shaping our world. Participate in a day of connection, insight, and forward-thinking conversation.
Venture Lane Oktoberfest
Date: October 9
Organizer: Venture Lane
Location: Boston, MA; register here
For a special Oktoberfest edition of Venture Lane’s monthly Blue Hour, they’re bringing together founders, mentors, and investors for an evening of networking and celebration. Don your lederhosen and enjoy festivities in true German style, complete with food, drinks, and camaraderie. Connect with the incredible community you know and love in a fun, relaxed setting.
Women Of Color Entrepreneurs Startup Party with a Purpose
Date: October 9Â
Organizer: Women Of Color Entrepreneurs (WOCE)
Location: Boston, MA: register here
Join WOCE’s annual fundraiser, the Startup Party with a Purpose, celebrating women entrepreneurs and the leaders supporting them in Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Your support helps elevate women-owned businesses, enabling them to scale and create meaningful community and economic impact. Connect with top business leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, community influencers, and elected officials in a night of celebration and networking.
TEDxBoston: Unlocking Longevity
Date: October 14Â
Organizer: John WernerÂ
Location: Boston, MA; register here
TEDx Boston brings together thinkers, creators, and innovators to share ideas worth spreading that inspire, challenge, and spark change. Experience a day of thought-provoking talks, engaging performances, and meaningful conversations with a diverse community of changemakers. Connect, learn, and be inspired by the ideas shaping Boston and the world.
Cofounder Matching: Meet Your Future Founding Team
Date: October 14Â
Organizer: Startup Boston & CIC Social Impact ProgramÂ
Location: Cambridge, MA; register here
Looking to find your next business partner or join a startup at the ground floor? Join Startup Boston and CIC’s Social Impact Program for Cofounder Matching, an invite-only event designed for motivated entrepreneurs ready to start or grow a company. Build meaningful connections, meet like-minded peers, and take one step closer to assembling your ideal founding team.
B2B Founders' Dinner
Date: October 15Â
Organizer: Startup Boston with Rho and Hughes MarinoÂ
Location: Boston, MA; register here
Building a B2B software startup is thrilling, but it can also be challenging—join fellow Seed and Series A founders for an intimate dinner to swap stories, share insights, and tackle the realities of scaling. This isn’t a panel or pitch event; it’s a candid, community-driven space to discuss fundraising, customer growth, team building, and more. Enjoy good food, meaningful conversations, and connections you’ll want to continue long after the night ends, thanks to our partners Rho and Hughes Marino.
2025 Green Future Gala
Date: October 16Â
Organizer: Greentown Labs
Location: Boston, MA; register here
Join ACT for the Green Future Gala, a premier gathering of over 800 climate economy leaders, including policymakers, activists, corporate visionaries, and innovative startups driving meaningful change. The event takes place in the Blue Wing at the Museum of Science, offering a dynamic three-story setting surrounded by interactive exhibits and cutting-edge displays. Celebrate groundbreaking ideas, connect with influential peers, and be inspired by the innovations shaping a sustainable future.
Boston Amigas Turns 1
Date: October 18Â
Organizer: Boston Amigas
Location: Somerville, MA; register here
Boston Amigas is turning one, and they’re throwing a party in Somerville to celebrate a year of connection, friendship, and community. Enjoy wine from First Crush, delicious empanadas, dancing, and mingling with familiar faces and new friends, plus exclusive merch for the first 20 attendees. Open to women and non-binary folks, this is a night to toast the memories they’ve made and the many more to come!
Mentor Matching for Early-Stage Founders
Date: October 21Â
Organizer: Startup Boston, City of Boston
Location: Boston, MA; register here
Startup Boston and the City of Boston are hosting an exclusive mentorship event connecting early-stage founders with experienced mentors. Through small, intimate group discussions, founders can ask questions, gain insights, and build relationships that help propel their startups forward. Mentors have the chance to guide emerging entrepreneurs, stay connected to the local ecosystem, and foster lasting relationships with promising Boston startups.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up
Date: October 21
Organizer: Massachusetts Technology CollaborativeÂ
Location: Foxboro, MA; register here
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up brings together industry leaders to share knowledge, uncover best practices, and celebrate success. This event is designed to help manufacturers connect, collaborate, and tackle the tough challenges facing the industry today. Join to drive growth, build relationships, and shape the future of manufacturing in Massachusetts.
Boston Startup & Chess Mixer
Date: October 22
Organizer: Markit AI, Nelson Mullins & Boylston Chess
Location: Boston, MA; register here
Boston’s tech and startup community is teaming up with the Boylston Chess Club for the Boston Startup Chess Mixer, hosted in their downtown space. Whether you love chess, want to challenge fellow techies, or are a club member looking for some friendly competition, this is the night to connect and have fun.Â
Women in Robotics Gala 2025
Date: October 25Â
Organizer: MassRobotics
Location: Cambridge, MA; register here
Join MassRobotics for the Women in Robotics Gala 2025, a black-tie event celebrating the achievements of women in robotics research. This elegant evening honors innovators, leaders, and trailblazers shaping the future of the field. Connect with peers, celebrate accomplishments, and be inspired by the women driving robotics forward.
Tough Tech Week
Date: October 27 - 31Â
Organizer: The EngineÂ
Location: various locations in MA; register here
Tough Tech Week celebrates the science, engineering, and people driving transformational innovations. Hosted by The Engine with partners across Massachusetts, the week features panels, pitches, workshops, expos, and founder-focused events highlighting breakthroughs in climate, health, advanced systems, and more. Join the ecosystem to connect, share progress, and help shape the future of Tough Tech.
Pitching Boston’s Future: A Climatetech Showcase for Underrepresented Founders
Date: October 27Â
Organizer: Startup Boston, City of Boston
Location: Boston City Hall, MA; register here
Startup Boston and the City of Boston are teaming up to showcase the next generation of underrepresented climatetech founders. Selected entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures in a high-energy competition, with 5 minutes to present and 3 minutes of Q&A with judges, competing for cash prizes and exclusive perks. These startups are driving solutions for a more sustainable future, and this is your chance to see their innovations in action.
Innovation Trail Scavenger Hunt— Tough Tech Week
Date: October 29Â
Organizer: The Innovation Trail of Greater Boston
Location: Cambridge, MA; register here
Join a fun and slightly competitive scavenger hunt along the Innovation Trail in Cambridge, perfect for solo participants, friends, or teams of 3–5. Using a mobile app, teams will solve puzzles, complete tasks, and explore Cambridge’s innovation past, present, and future, with the highest-scoring team winning prizes.Â
WPI Startup Showcase
Date: October 31
Organizer: WPI
Location: Cambridge, MA; register hereÂ
See what’s next at WPI by meeting founders, exploring innovative ideas, and discovering the ventures shaping tomorrow. Join for a showcase of WPI startups and a behind-the-scenes look at our thriving entrepreneurial community. Connect, be inspired, and experience the creativity driving the next generation of entrepreneurs.