Another year, another great NewCo.
Matter joined a tribe of talented, tech-hungry people last week for the 3rd annual NewCo Boston Festival, hosted by the Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC). During the two-day event, attendees step out of their day-to-day and into the offices of over 70 participating companies to network and learn about the local innovation scene.
One idea struck our team. Nearly every session focused, accidentally or purposefully, on company culture and how it spurs innovation. Companies today are differentiating on culture. The holy grail is defining and managing a differentiated culture at every stage of growth, from coworking spaces and startups, to established players and PR firms.
… or brand elevation agencies. See what I did there?
It’s a tall order. Many entrepreneurs we spoke with insisted they were different in the same words as everyone else. There was plenty of Kool-Aid, but also plenty of passion for business, branding and Boston as an innovation hub.
If you’re an emerging company, and you want to differentiate, test your story. Boston is the number one startup scene in the country for two-years running, and our ecosystem affords unlimited access to people who can help validate your brand. Reach out. Connect with fellow innovators, and if you’re feeling major NewCo FOMO, we hope to see you next year!
Check out some of the sessions Matterites attended below, and get in touch with us for a one-on-one about how different your message really is. We have the privilege of working with some of the smartest, scrappiest entrepreneurs in Boston, and we can help you find your place in this bustling, burgeoning scene.
- Alley Cambridge is a coworking community powered by Verizon. Alley Cambridge Events and Programming Manager Kirby Chin and Verizon Sr. Consultant Michael Sullivan spoke about 5G networks, installing a 5G small cell in the space and collaborating with local startups to develop use cases.
- Buildium offers a property management solution for real estate professionals. Buildium VP of Product Piyum Samaraweera spoke about the shift toward a renter-centric real estate market, and crowdsourced ideas for a renter-friendly mobile app.
- Carbonite is a leader in data protection, and one of Boston’s homegrown public companies (NASDAQ:CARB). Carbonite CEO Mohamad Ali discussed the company’s dramatic evolution from a B2C to B2B brand, and learnings over the last five years.
- Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. Cengage’s leadership team hosted a panel about their culture and how it has inspired innovation and evolution within the organization.
- CIC Cambridge offers coworking and office space for innovators. The event featured a roundtable where attendees could learn about CIC events, and Senior Relationship Manager Meredith McSorley gave a tour of their flagship location.
- Essential Design is a leading innovation strategy and product design consultancy. Founding Partner Scott Stropkay and Principal Engineer Kurt Maw gave a tour of their downtown space and discussed commercializing new ideas and products for success.
- Oxfam America is a Boston-based global nonprofit working to end poverty. Oxfam President & CEO Abby Maxman and Sr. Manager, ICT4D Neal McCarthy discussed how they incorporate technology and incubator-like approaches into their operation.
- SmartBear delivers software quality tools for teams. Headquartered in Assembly Row, the team led a discussion around the API economy and developing an API strategy.
- Wellist is a provider of patient experience solutions for healthcare. Wellist VP of Client Delivery Kelly Hall and Senior Manager of Analytics Nikki Vance hosted a session on using data and compassion to understand patient needs and promote well-being.
- Workbar offers top-notch coworking spaces throughout the Greater Boston area. Workbar’s Head of Community Devin Cole led a presentation about their model, their members and their growth.