MassRobotics announces second cohort of Accelerator program

Independent robotics hub MassRobotics welcomed the second cohort of the MassRobotics Accelerator, powered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Innovation Institute.

Over the course of two years, $2,000,000 has been awarded to 20 robotics startups through this accelerator program. This program is unique in its equity-free approach. Each startup participating in the program will be awarded a $100,000 non-dilutive grant from MassTech.

10 companies awarded grants

Following a successful inaugural program, MassRobotics welcomed a diverse and dynamic second cohort. The second cohort includes

• Haystack Ag
• LiftLabs
• Mito Robotics
• Nexterity
• p!ng
• Redefine Surgery
• ReviMo
• Revolute Robotics
• Tatum Robotics
• Variable Machines.

The three-month accelerator program began in early February, and the cohort will have the opportunity to introduce their startups at MassRobotics’ annual sponsor’s celebration. During the course of the program, startups will experience a robust curriculum of business topics spanning customer discovery, value proposition discovery, manufacturing for excellence, fundraising tactics and team management.

“Imagine if overnight your company grew 10X and is now full of experts ready to help you gracefully navigate any issue or make decisions small or large,” said Demitri Balabanov, co-founder and CEO of Apparel Robotics, a MassRobotics Accelerator portfolio company. “Imagine if that continued for 13 weeks and your company got paid for it. That’s what the MassRobotics Accelerator is and it’s been an invaluable asset to our startup.”

Since graduating, the 10 companies from the first program deployed multiple customer activations, with 80% of the companies having become revenue-generating.

“The MassRobotics Accelerator provided me with top-tier mentors, introductions to industry collaborators and venture capitalists and strategies to help grow SIMPL,” said Ayman Labib, co-founder and CEO of SIMPL Automation, another MassRobotics Accelerator portfolio company. “There’s no place like the Boston robotics community and supporting ecosystem.”

Highly diverse second cohort

Similar to the 2024 program, MassRobotics said competition was fierce for the Accelerator, with an 8% acceptance rate. More than 130 startups applied to the program, with applicants from over 25 countries. Organizations were determined by a selection committee composed of notable roboticists, entrepreneurs and academics.

Companies in this cohort represent a number of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, consumer, assistive technology and ocean tech. MassRobotics also highlighted that female founders make up 40% of the cohort.

“MassRobotics’ Accelerator demonstrates the strength of robotics in Massachusetts,” said Peter Haas, director of robotics at MassTech. “Our state has a wealth of talent behind all of the innovative companies and academic institutions in the ecosystem. These awards will continue to spur competition, drive future breakthroughs, and grow market opportunities.”

MassRobotics seeking partners for Accelerator program

MassRobotics said its Accelerator has been recognized worldwide and received significant support from partners, sponsors, academic institutions and others, attracting both startups and mentors to the program.

To fund future MassRobotics Accelerator programs, the nonprofit is seeking innovative and forward-thinking corporations to support future cohorts. The MassRobotics Accelerator has a track record of selecting successful companies, and new corporate partners will allow them to expand this programming to bespoke corporate matchmaking.

“The MassRobotics Accelerator has exposed us to more than 250 new startups developing amazing robots from across the globe,” said Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics. “Our selected cohorts are truly best-in-class. We look forward to new partners and sponsors that will join us in finding the next group of robotics startups that will change the world. This opportunity to help power and impact our Accelerator is critical and unique.”