FORGE

Climate innovation isn’t just about ideas. It’s about building solutions that actually scale. On May 6, the Museum of Science and Frankenbuild Ventures are bringing together founders, investors, and operators for Built to Last: An Evening of Climate Tech Innovations. This is a technical showcase, not a typical pitch event. Founders will present the real science and engineering behind scalable solutions across climate, energy, robotics, materials, and bio-based systems. 📅 May 6 | 7:00 PM | Boston 🎟️ Learn more and get tickets: https://lnkd.in/ehkkM-Mv Building something worth showing? Apply to present. Selected pre-seed and seed-stage teams will deliver a 5-minute technical talk (CTO/CSO only) focused on differentiation, scalability, and underlying IP. Apply by emailing: WebDevAdmin@frankenbuild.com Subject: Fv+MoS Pitch Applicant [Company Name] Include a short technical summary, company details, and presenter info Selection prioritizes teams with: • Novel scientific or engineering breakthroughs • Durable, scalable technologies • Clear alignment with sustainability and resilience • A technical founder who can present with depth and clarity ⏳ Deadline: April 24 If you're serious about climate tech, be in the room or on the stage. Follow FORGE to stay connected with the people and resources that help innovators move from prototype to production. #ClimateTech #HardTech #Manufacturing #Innovation #Sustainability #FORGEImpact

Today marks 30 years of MassMEP. Founded on March 30, MassMEP has spent the past three decades working alongside manufacturers across Massachusetts; helping companies grow, adapt, and navigate change on the shop floor. A lot has evolved over the years. Technology, workforce needs, and the pace of manufacturing itself. But what’s remained constant is the strength of the manufacturing community here in the Commonwealth, and we’re grateful to be part of it. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. We have more planned throughout the year to recognize this journey and continue building what’s next. Thank you to the manufacturers, partners, and team members who have been part of the past 30 years. Here’s to what’s ahead. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FORGE Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Associated Industries of Massachusetts Synagex Modern IT Massachusetts APEX Accelerator Massachusetts Clean Energy Center #MassMEP #30Years #MAManufacturing #ManufacturingCommunity #ManufacturingLeadership #MadeInMassachusetts

🚨 Final Call: Nominations for the 2026 Eddies Close This Friday! If you know an innovative startup making real-world impact, now is the time to make sure they’re recognized. The Eddies is one of the region’s longest-running programs supporting early-stage companies—helping founders gain visibility, mentorship, and access to investors and industry leaders. All nominees receive a waived application fee and the opportunity to connect with a powerful network across Massachusetts’ innovation ecosystem. Submit your nomination before it’s too late: https://lnkd.in/eGHGHuQp #Eddies2026 #MassachusettsStartups #BostonInnovation #StartupCommunity #MassInnovation

Small and midsize manufacturers, this is worth a look. The Manufacturing Accelerator Program (MAP) is a national executive education program designed to help manufacturers scale, improve operations, and compete more effectively in today’s market. The program is designed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), a national nonprofit that supports small business growth across the country. A few things that stand out:  • 12-week virtual program led by industry experts and operators  • Focus on profitable growth, capital access, and operational efficiency  • No cost to participate  • Summer 2026 cohort kicks off May 20 If you’re a manufacturer looking to strengthen your business and position for growth, this is a strong opportunity. Spots are limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis: icic.org/map-apply There’s also an upcoming info session if you want to learn more directly from the team. As always, FORGE is focused on connecting manufacturers with opportunities that help them stay competitive, grow, and win new business. Follow us for more info on this and other opportunities! #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #MakeItHere #SupplyChain #SmallBusiness #AdvancedManufacturing

Physical product innovators, are you interested in no-cost marketing, manufacturing, and fundraising support to manufacture in Massachusetts? We want you. Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, we are teaming up with The HardTech Project Funding Program and Carlton PR & Marketing to show that reducing hardware investment risk is the key to attracting more capital to fund hardware innovation. You’ll get a manufacturing readiness report from us to prove your startup’s product execution capabilities to potential investors, as well as marketing and PR support for a raise, including crowdfunding. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/ezAWZZ3a #FORGEImpact #CarltonPR #MassTech #TheHardtechProject #Hardtech #FundingProgram

Building Stronger Manufacturing Outcomes Through Collaboration with CCAT We are proud to collaborate with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) to advance Connecticut’s manufacturing and hardtech innovation ecosystem. CCAT plays a critical role in helping manufacturers adopt advanced technologies and strengthen workforce capabilities through initiatives in additive manufacturing, digital transformation, and Industry 4.0. At FORGE, we help emerging hardtech companies move from prototype to scalable production by educating, preparing, and connecting them with regional manufacturers, suppliers, and funding pathways. Paired with CCAT’s technical expertise, these connections drive stronger manufacturing outcomes. Notably, CCAT was one of the first Connecticut manufacturers that a FORGE-supported company contracted with: an early signal of what this collaboration in the ecosystem enabled. Together, we are accelerating innovator-to-manufacturer collaboration, improving manufacturing readiness, and reinforcing Connecticut’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing. Thank you to the CCAT team for your continued partnership and leadership. Want to see how FORGE supports hardtech companies from prototype through production and connects them with the right partners? Visit www.forgeimpact.org to learn more and get involved. #FORGEImpact #CCAT #Hardtech #Innovation #Connecticut #Industry40 #ProductDevelopment #StartupEcosystem

If you are building, funding, or scaling a physical product, this is worth a look. The latest FORGE newsletter highlights upcoming events on AI in manufacturing, scaling production, and navigating the right capital at the right time, along with real examples of companies making progress. 👉 Check it out: https://conta.cc/4cU4Afp Follow FORGE to stay connected to the people, insights, and opportunities shaping manufacturing. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Hardtech #Innovation #SupplyChain

Founders: what you don’t set up early can cost you later. Corporate structure. IP ownership. Founder alignment. These decisions shape everything that comes next, especially when you’re raising capital or scaling. Join Ben Maitland-Lewis from Silicon Valley Bank and Wiggin and Dana LLP for a practical session on getting the fundamentals right: Protecting What You Build: Corporate and IP Must-Haves for Founders 📅 March 24 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM 📍 Boston, MA 👉 https://luma.com/k827euon If you're building a physical product and navigating the path to manufacturing, follow FORGE for more resources, events, and connections across the innovation ecosystem. #Startups #Founders #IntellectualProperty #VentureCapital #BostonStartups #Manufacturing #Hardtech #FORGEImpact

Applying AI in Manufacturing Without the Hype Artificial intelligence is changing how manufacturers operate, compete, and grow. The question is no longer if you should be paying attention, but how to apply it in a way that actually drives results. Join us for the StratAI Series: Manufacturing on March 26 in Springfield, MA, hosted by FORGE, BusinessWest, and Innovate413. This interactive session will feature a panel discussion and breakout workshops focused on real-world applications of AI across manufacturing operations, along with practical insights you can put to use immediately. We are also excited to have MA Representative Orlando Ramos provide opening remarks. Moderators: Scott Longley (FORGE) | Paul ⠠⠛⠲ Silva (Innovate413) Panelists: Laura Teicher (FORGE) | David Arturi & Vinny LaRocca (Tetra Labs US) | John Fazzio (Pilot Precision Products) | Benjamin Grande (Meridian Industrial Group / NTMA Western MA) | Gavin Giguere (REIGN Manufacturing) | Ali Usman (PixelEdge) | David M. DiSabito, Jr. & Mary Schoonmaker (Western New England University) 📍 March 26 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM 📍 Springfield, MA If you are exploring how AI fits into your manufacturing strategy, this is a great opportunity to learn from peers and connect with others working through the same challenges. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eci-JV88 #Manufacturing #AI #Industry40 #Hardtech #Innovation #FORGEImpact #AdvancedManufacturing

Smart Capital for Manufacturing Growth Starts Here Manufacturing growth does not fail because of a lack of capital. It fails because of the wrong capital at the wrong time. If you are building a physical product, scaling production, or even an established manufacturer, you already know the challenge is not just about raising money. It is understanding which type of capital actually supports your next step. That is exactly what we are unpacking in this session: Smart Capital Options: The Right Financing at Every Stage of Manufacturing Join us for a conversation with: • Lisa Welch, Business Development Specialist  | U.S. Small Business Administration, Massachusetts District Office • Lily Fitzgerald, Director | Massachusetts Technology Collaborative-Center for Advanced Manufacturing • Abby Nguyen-Burke. Senior Vice President, Team Leader, Equity Alliance for Business | Eastern Bank • Joe Hastry, MSA CPA, Co-Founder | florrent, Moderator: • Mark Michalski, Manufacturing Expert in Residence | FORGE This discussion will focus on: • Aligning capital strategy with your stage of production • Navigating funding options from early builds to scale and beyond • Avoiding common financing mistakes that slow down growth • Making smarter decisions that support long-term manufacturing success If you are a startup founder, manufacturer, or ecosystem partner working in hardtech, this is a conversation worth being in. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e-vWHkQk Follow FORGE for more insights, events, and connections that help innovators move from prototype to production. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Hardtech #Startups #Innovation #Funding #ProductDevelopment #ScaleUp