Join us in honoring the top startups in New England with the 2024 Startup Boston Community Awards, recognizing innovation and community impact.
Honoring the Movers and Shakers of New England
The New England startup ecosystem is thriving, and it’s time to recognize the exceptional individuals and organizations driving this vibrant community forward. The 2024 Startup Boston Community Awards celebrate the best in innovation, growth, and community support, highlighting startups that are making significant strides in their respective fields.
How the Awards Work
The Startup Boston Community Awards are a grassroots initiative with a straightforward and inclusive nomination process. Here’s how it works:
- Community Nominations: All nominations come directly from you—the New England startup community. This ensures that the awards reflect the collective appreciation and respect of peers within the ecosystem.
- Judging Phase: A panel of esteemed judges reviews the nominations and selects the top three contenders in each category.
- Public Voting: The finalists are shared with the public, allowing the wider community to vote and determine the winners.
- Announcement: Winners are proudly announced on Startup Boston’s LinkedIn Page, celebrating their achievements publicly.
This transparent and community-driven approach ensures that the awards genuinely represent the outstanding contributors within the startup landscape.
Meet Our 2024 Judges
The judging panel for this year comprises influential leaders who bring a wealth of experience and insight into the New England startup scene:
Bobbie Carlton
Founder, Innovation Women
Bobbie Carlton is a dynamic force in marketing and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Carlton PR & Marketing, Innovation Nights, and Innovation Women, she has dedicated her career to empowering startups and individual entrepreneurs. Her expertise lies in creating impactful marketing strategies that drive meaningful growth.
Rachel Leigh Gross
Senior Manager, Platform & Community at NEVCA
Rachel Leigh Gross plays a crucial role in supporting and connecting venture capital leaders in the region. With seven years of experience in the innovation ecosystem, Rachel has been instrumental in programs like MassChallenge, fostering a robust business community in New England.
Ian Cain
Cofounder & Chairman, QUBIC Labs
Ian Cain brings his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership to QUBIC Labs, a technology and innovation hub in Quincy, MA. As a City Council President, he advocates for innovation and growth within the local community, ensuring that startups have the support they need to thrive.
The 2024 Winners
The 2024 Startup Boston Community Awards celebrate excellence across nine diverse categories. Here are the standout winners and finalists:
Startup of the Year
Awarded to the startup that has experienced the most growth and has significantly supported the startup community.
Winner: UBERDOC
Provides priority access to the best doctors for an affordable, transparent price.Finalists:
- Ecotone Renewables
- Labviva
Founder of the Year
Recognizes the founder who has demonstrated exceptional grit and growth, while also supporting other founders in Massachusetts and underrepresented communities.
Winner: Brianna Socci
Cofounder & COO, UBERDOCFinalists:
- Elliott Bennett
- Alicia Tulsee
Investor of the Year
Honors the angel investor or VC known for investing in New England startups and advocating for underrepresented communities.
Winner: Tasneem Dohadwala
Founding Partner, Excelestar VenturesFinalists:
- Cvic Innocent
- Lily Lyman
Most Likely to Be the Next Unicorn
Awarded to the startup poised for remarkable success within the startup ecosystem.
Winner: Grain Ecosystem, Inc
Empowers project developers to benefit from the Voluntary Carbon Market and access financing for project activities.Finalists:
- Admetsys
Student Founder of the Year
Celebrates the undergrad or grad student founder who has achieved significant traction with their startup.
Winner: Jashin Lin
Founder & CEO, GrowbieFinalists:
- Ashkan Novin
- Jake Ross
Best Accelerator or Incubator Program
Recognizes the accelerator or incubator fostering a diverse portfolio of founders and contributing to the startup community.
Winner: FORGE
Helps innovators with physical products navigate from prototype to commercialization and impact at scale.Finalists:
- EforAll Roxbury
- Prepare4VC
Community Builder of the Year
Honors an individual who is a strong advocate and supporter of founders in New England and underrepresented communities.
Winner: Marisa Nieves
Director of MA Programs, Innovation StudioFinalists:
- Jordan Elster
- Sherina McKinley
Equity Champion
Awarded to the startup or company most committed to diversity.
Winner: CIC Social Impact Program
Provides unique programming supporting small organizations led by historically underserved entrepreneurs.Finalists:
- Scroobious
People First Organization
Recognizes an organization with a thoughtful approach to building a strong, employee-focused ethos.
Winner: Building PPL
A consulting firm helping small to mid-sized businesses create innovative L&D solutions by investing in people.Finalists:
- Verdant Consulting
The Importance of Startup Community Support
Awards like the Startup Boston Community Awards play a crucial role in fostering startup community support. They not only recognize individual and organizational excellence but also inspire others within the ecosystem to strive for innovation and positive impact. By celebrating achievements, these awards strengthen the network of entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters, creating a more resilient and collaborative startup environment.
Join the Celebration
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2024 Startup Boston Community Awards! Your dedication and innovation are shaping the future of New England’s startup landscape.
To explore more opportunities for startup community support and to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and investors, visit Oriel IPO.
