Global Bridges
One of the aspects of working at MassChallenge I have enjoyed the most is the opportunity to collaborate internationally. Working with ecosystem hubs, partners, founders, and experts from all over the world has really stretched my perspective and allowed me to recommit to listening and being open to so many different perspectives and experiences. There is an unparalleled magic in connecting with individuals from diverse contexts and bridging different cultures and experiences to unlock learnings.
This year, I had the immense privilege to travel to Benin and Japan with delegations of experts, investors, and coaches to run bootcamps for startups and help infuse venture-building practices into their development. These cultural exchange programs through the eyes of startups makes it clear that the exchange of ideas, cultures, and technological innovations has become paramount in our increasingly interconnected world.
Bridge to Benin
MassChallenge's partnership with Zeleus is helping Benin realize their potential as an emerging entrepreneurial hub and leader of innovation in Africa. The development of Sèmè City, a headquarter designed to support local entrepreneurs through co-working spaces, incubators, and accelerators is supercharging the area. Over 60% of Benin’s population is under 25 years old, creating a significant pool of talented and educated young people eager to contribute to the country's development. Read More
Bridge to Tokyo
This program was designed for Japanese tech startups who are interested in entering the global market, raising funds, and expanding their network. This project was executed through CIC Japan Desk and CIC Institute, combining the unique expertise of two CIC business units to create and operate custom programming in collaboration with MassChallenge. The Bridge to MassChallenge Japan program received close to 50 applications that went through a rigorous evaluation by MassChallenge global experts that resulted in a diverse cohort of 23 startups spanning industries from Enterprise Tech to Digital Health and Life Sciences. Read More
