Your Guide to Networking and Getting Involved During Startup Boston Week 2025
- Stephanie Roulic
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
The Community Track for Startup Boston Week 2025 is LIVE. That’s right, our full lineup of networking events, community-building sessions and ecosystem meetups is officially out in the world. Whether you’re actively building a company, looking to join one, hiring, mentoring or simply curious about the region’s startup scene, this track was created with you in mind.
Startup Boston Week is happening September 8 - 12 at Suffolk University in downtown Boston - and online (although all networking events are in-person only) - bringing together founders, operators, investors-in-the-making, ecosystem supporters and startup-curious folks from across New England. If you’re looking to connect with collaborators, find your next role, share your startup’s story or just spend time with people who get the hustle, you’ll want to mark these events on your calendar.
Here’s what’s in store - and how you can get involved.
The Signature Networking Events Everyone Will Be Talking About
Opening Party – Monday evening
We’re kicking off Startup Boston Week with a high-energy gathering where you’ll meet local service providers, fellow founders, and startup supporters. We’ll also be featuring community-submitted startup milestones on the big screen - a celebration of wins big and small. Whether you're new to SBW or a seasoned attendee, this is the place to start your week strong.
Vendor Hall – Open all week
Looking for tools and services to help your startup scale? The Vendor Hall is your chance to meet solution providers face-to-face, ask questions, and discover what support exists to help you grow, whether you're still in the ideation stage or gearing up for Series A.
Ecosystem Fair – Tuesday evening
Accelerators, incubators, networking groups, and founder support organizations from across New England are coming together under one roof. If you're looking to plug into the broader startup ecosystem, this is where you'll find your people - from local pitch competitions to equity-free accelerators to city-run programs and meetup groups. Think of this as a live-action version of the Startup Boston Startup Directory.
Startup Crawl – Wednesday evening
The Crawl is back. Join us as we walk through Boston’s startup neighborhoods, visiting open office spaces and startup hubs. Past crawls have included stops at accelerators, coworking spaces, and early-stage startups. It’s a casual, fun way to explore Boston’s startup scene and meet founders where they build.
Closing Party & Startup Showcase – Friday night
Close out your week by meeting some of the most exciting startups being built right here in Boston and across New England. Whether you’re looking for investment opportunities, job leads, or inspiration, this showcase offers a unique look at the companies shaping our region’s future.
Morning Coffee & Networking – Every day at 8:30am
Each morning kicks off with coffee and a different theme to help you connect more intentionally, whether you're looking for a cofounder, trying to meet others in your industry, or simply expanding your network before the sessions begin at 9:30am.
Mentor-Led Small Group Sessions – Friday morning and afternoon
Wrap up your week by going deep in a small group setting. These sessions are led by experienced startup founders and operators, offering space to talk through real challenges. You’ll leave with practical advice, new ideas, and deeper personal connections.
Events That'll Change How You See the Startup Scene
Real Talk from the Trenches: Female Founders on Tradeoffs, Grit and Support Systems – Wednesday afternoon
This isn’t your typical panel, it’s part workshop, part real talk. Join a powerhouse lineup of women in the startup world:
Cindy Belardo, Cofounder & CEO, Sunny
Michelle Elizabeth Ewy, Cofounder & Chief Science Officer, LymeAlert
Erin Melissa Dawicki, CEO, LymeAlert
Sheri Palazzo, Founder & Startup Advisor, Saplings Consulting
Michelle Chao, Advisor, Phoenix Tailings
We’ll kick things off with a burst of rapid-fire whiteboarding, then shift into a candid conversation about what it really takes to build and grow a startup.
From dealing with burnout and blurry boundaries to building a strong support system (or creating your own), this session at Startup Boston Week 2025 is your space to connect, reflect, and get real about startup life.
Leveling the Field: Building an Inclusive Startup Ecosystem in Boston - Thursday afternoon
Not everyone starts at the same starting line - and that’s no secret.
At Startup Boston Week 2025, join Gail Goodman (Former CEO of Constant Contact and Current Board Chair at EforAll), Nicole Obi (President & CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts), Betty Francisco (CEO, Boston Impact Initiative), and Scott Kirsner (Columnist, MassLive) for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a more equitable startup ecosystem in Boston.
They’ll explore how to improve access to funding and resources, and rethink how geography, income, and identity shape opportunities.
Whether you’re a founder navigating the system or a leader working to change it, this session will give you practical strategies, inspiring examples, and a renewed commitment to making Boston’s innovation economy work for everyone.
Massachusetts Climatetech Studio Final Showcase - Thursday evening
Get a front-row seat to the future of sustainable innovation at the Massachusetts Climatetech Studio Final Showcase, happening during Startup Boston Week 2025.
Nine startup teams will pitch their ventures, developed over a 16-week program with MassCEC and FedTech, for a chance to win grant funding. Their solutions tackle key climate challenges across Massachusetts, from batteries and critical minerals to food, agriculture, and carbon capture. Check out both Part One and Part Two.
The Podcast Stage – All week
Right at the entrance of the venue, you’ll find live podcast interviews featuring local startup leaders, investors, operators, and community builders. From deep dives into scaling to stories of resilience, these conversations capture the voices of Boston’s startup ecosystem. Stop by, tune in, or even catch yourself on air.
Bonus Features Too Good to Skip
Professional Headshots by Three Circles Studio
Need a fresh LinkedIn photo or founder headshot? Stop by our on-site photo station to get a professional headshot taken, courtesy of Three Circles Studio.
Your Personalized SBW Photo Album by Three Circles Studio
Throughout the week, Three Circles Studio will be roaming the halls capturing candid moments from Startup Boston Week. After the event, you’ll receive a personalized on-demand photo album to relive (and post about) your experience.
The Book Nook: Leave a Book, Take a Book
This cozy corner is for knowledge sharing and connection. Bring a favorite business or startup-related book, write your contact info inside the cover, and pick up a new read left by someone else. Authors are also encouraged to donate copies of their books to the space.
Community Bulletin Board: In Real Life
The Community Board from our newsletter is coming to life at SBW. Need a cofounder? Looking for speakers? Want to promote an open role, pitch competition, or grant opportunity? Write it on the board and let the startup community know how they can support or get involved.
How to Get Involved and Make Your Mark
Ready to do more than attend? There are plenty of ways to jump in and contribute to the week:
Submit Your Startup Milestone (Monday)
Let us celebrate you. We’re showcasing startup milestones (launches, fundraises, hires, product releases) during the Opening Party - submit yours to be featured on the big screen.
Table in our Vendor Hall (All Week)
Want to get your brand in front of the Startup Boston Week community? Let’s talk Vendor Hall sponsorship! Share your info here, and we’ll get in touch.
Table at the Ecosystem Showcase (Tuesday)
Are you part of a startup support org, networking group, or accelerator? Apply for a free table right here and meet hundreds of startup-curious attendees.
Authors: Share Your Work (Tuesday)
Written a book? Apply now to showcase it during our Tuesday morning Coffee Hour at 8:30am as part of the “Meet the Authors” session, an opportunity to share your work with the Startup Boston Week community!
Startup Showcase Table (Friday)
Founders: want to showcase your startup at Friday night’s Closing Party? Tables are free but limited, and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To claim yours, arrive at Suffolk University by 8:30am Friday morning - doors open at 9:00am to reserve spots, and tabling kicks off that night during the Closing Party!
Mentor a Small Group (Friday)
If you're a founder, operator, or experienced startup supporter and want to give back, sign up to lead a small group mentor session on Friday.
Post on the Community Bulletin Board (All Week)
We’re bringing our newsletter’s Community Bulletin to life! Have a job opening, upcoming event, or call for collaborators? Swing by the in-person board during Startup Boston Week to write it down and connect with others looking for the same.
Join the SBW2025 Crew (All Week)
And, of course, there’s no better way to be a part of the action than raising your hand and being a part of the SBW2025 Crew. Commit a few hours or a full day, the choice is yours. Drop your information right here to be a part of connecting the startup ecosystem.
Startup Boston Week is about creating collisions, lifting one another up and growing the region’s startup community - together. Whether you’re here for the panels, the people, or the free coffee, we can’t wait to see you.
Join us in person or online from September 8–12. Register for free and check out the full schedule at startupbos.org/sbw2025/schedule
