MassChallenge

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and social impact, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, MassChallenge connects high-potential startups with industry experts and investors to foster innovation and facilitate growth. The accelerator operates on a non-equity model, allowing entrepreneurs to maintain full ownership of their companies while benefiting from strategic partnerships and tailored training programs. Through its diverse initiatives, such as targeted accelerator programs like MassChallenge HealthTech and FinTech, the organization aims to drive impactful change and enhance the global innovation ecosystem.

Cait Brumme

Acting CEO

Nick Dougherty

Managing Director, MassChallenge HealthTech

Siobhan Dullea

CEO

Matthew Lashmar

Managing Director

Camila Lecaros

Managing Director

Yonit Serkin

Managing Director

Devon Sherman

Founding Director, Head of MassChallenge FinTech

Michelle Williams

Vice President and Head of Texas Strategy

Past deals in Entertainment

+MUSIC

Non Equity Assistance in 2024
+MUSIC is a technology company focused on enhancing the use and monetization of music across various online markets, including gaming and streaming video. The company has developed an artificial intelligence-driven platform that assists independent musicians in producing soundtracks and monetizing their work early in their careers. This platform organizes music into marketable and easily shareable clips, facilitating fan engagement and providing licensed music along with audio tools. By offering these resources, +MUSIC enables artists to expand their reach and grow their careers more efficiently.

EverChew

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
EverChew keeps pets safe and entertained for hours on end.

Udeesa Systemics & Technology

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
Udeesa Systemics & Technology is to empower students to explore heritage and culture throughout the world by applying new & emerging technologies to storytelling, games & interdisciplinary learning tools.

Tru-Spot

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Tru-Spot Technologies is an augmented reality company based in Brandon, Mississippi, focused on enhancing live event experiences for sports fans and concert-goers. The company is developing innovative technology that allows users to engage in real-time events from the comfort of their homes, moving beyond traditional live streaming to provide interactive experiences. This technology includes features such as on-field body camera integration, which aims to revolutionize how fans participate in live events. Additionally, Tru-Spot's adaptive body camera technology is designed to assist victims in critical situations, such as mass shootings and unfair arrests. Currently, the company is seeking seed capital to finalize its augmented reality application and launch a proof of concept.

AsianFeed

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
AsianFeed is a digital media outlet that centers around news, lifestyle, and entertainment content that celebrates the AAPI identity.

Fanorama Social Media

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Fanoramas is a platform that generates thousands of ‘in-the-moment’ photos and sends to fans to share in real time from events. We provide every fan with hundreds of personal and action photos from the big event. The Fanoramas platform provides a new space for our sponsors and partners to activate and engage with fans!

CUE Audio

Pre Seed Round in 2020
CUE Audio, founded in October 2017, specializes in data-over-audio technology that allows for communication between microphones and speakers using sound waves. The company has developed an innovative solution that employs high-frequency, ultrasonic audio to transmit data, providing an offline and network-free alternative to traditional connectivity methods like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. CUE's flagship product features a synchronized smartphone light show that enhances live events by integrating this technology into music. Within a short period, CUE has successfully transformed the experiences of over 10 million fans at events for prominent clients, including Coca-Cola, Disney, and various professional and collegiate sports teams.

Ldnutd

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
LDN UTD is an entertainment platform for esports, gaming fans, and content creators to play in physical and online try-outs.

Sizzle

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Sizzle is an innovative web service that utilizes artificial intelligence to create condensed highlights from gaming videos on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. By transforming lengthy gameplay sessions, such as a 20-minute Fortnite video, into concise five-minute summaries, Sizzle addresses the needs of the 700 million gaming fans who often find long livestreams overwhelming and highlight compilations insufficient. The platform captures key moments in chronological order, allowing viewers to experience the full narrative of streams from popular figures like Ninja and Daequan. Sizzle provides a streamlined option for fans seeking engaging content without the extensive time commitment, enhancing the viewing experience for both casual and dedicated audiences. More information about Sizzle can be found at www.sizzle.gg.

Smeetz

Seed Round in 2020
Smeetz SA is a Swiss-based company that operates an online booking platform designed for the leisure and entertainment industry. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Lausanne, Smeetz offers an AI-powered commerce intelligence platform that integrates various tools for ticketing, payment processing, and event management. Its comprehensive solutions include features such as dynamic pricing, data analytics, reservation management, and cross-channel sales, all aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and maximizing revenue for venues. By leveraging insights derived from artificial intelligence, Smeetz empowers event organizers to optimize marketing strategies and improve guest experiences, thereby facilitating the digital transformation of the leisure sector.

MyPart

Grant in 2019
MyPart Ltd is a Tel Aviv-based company that has developed an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed for song search and matching. This innovative platform caters to a variety of users, including music industry professionals, TV and film producers, and advertising agencies, facilitating the discovery of songs that align with specific creative needs. MyPart's technology utilizes reference songs to enable music executives to efficiently navigate and prioritize their musical catalogs while identifying new talent. For songwriters, the platform analyzes submissions from emerging artists worldwide, matching them with relevant opportunities based solely on the songs' attributes rather than personal connections. The company's proprietary 'Song Mining' engine employs advanced techniques in machine learning, computational linguistics, and digital signal processing to assess lyrical and musical relevance. MyPart has been recognized for its contributions to the industry, having participated in prestigious programs such as Universal Music's Abbey Road RED and Capitol Records' gBeta, and it has received multiple awards for its technology and innovation.

CrowdPlay

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
CrowdPlay, Inc. is a Boston-based company that provides a Platform-as-a-Service fan engagement platform specifically designed for live sporting events. Founded in 2020, CrowdPlay offers a system that allows fans to actively participate in games by answering live questions during stoppages, thereby enhancing their overall experience. The platform not only facilitates competitions and rewards but also creates new revenue opportunities for sports teams. By utilizing wireless, cloud, and global networks, CrowdPlay ensures that attendees and fans can engage meaningfully, earning redeemable points and the chance to win cash rewards and prizes. This innovative approach aims to foster ongoing fan engagement and enrich the atmosphere of live sporting events.

Project Daredevil

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Project Daredevil is a company focused on creating immersive experiences for the blind through its innovative 3D radio-drama platform. This unique offering combines 3D sound, motion simulation, and scent to make comics accessible to those with visual impairments. By utilizing these technologies, Project Daredevil enables blind individuals to engage with stories in a way that transcends traditional reading methods, providing an inclusive and enriching experience. The company's mission is to eliminate barriers to reading and enhance the storytelling experience for the blind community.

Lingopie

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Lingopie Inc. is an innovative online platform that facilitates language learning through the integration of television shows and movies. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, Lingopie leverages natural language processing technology and linguistic research to create an engaging learning experience. The platform features a vast library of foreign TV shows and movies, each equipped with native subtitles that enhance comprehension. Users can click on any foreign word for instant translation, which is then added to a personal word bank for later review. Additional interactive tools, such as a built-in flashcard game, further enrich the learning process. By transforming popular media into educational content, Lingopie aims to empower millions of users worldwide to achieve language fluency in an intuitive and enjoyable manner.

FanFund

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
FanFund makes culture accessible to communities everywhere by de-risking live shows for artists and venues. It integrates fan engagement, crowdfunding technologies with advanced data analysis to provide artists and venues with vertical and geographic-specific predictive models for de-risking live performances. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.

vAUDiENCE

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
The main goal of vAudience is to engage virtual audiences in a way that turns viewers of live events into active users. This way it is both more fun for the viewer to watch a live event, as well as more profitable for the broadcaster of the live event. Starting with a Twitch extension, vAudience has already reached 3.4M unique clicking viewers with a 26% view-to-open conversion rate. With Spect8 the mission is to make live streaming more engaging, more accessible, and more successful.

T-TIME PRODUCTIONS

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
T-Time Productions produces unique programming and content for various media platforms. They provide services for television, online, mobile, and streaming. They offer services to the departments of programming, production, marketing, and sales.

Black Fret

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Black Fret is a community of music fans dedicated to good music, good times and the sustainable success of Austin’s local musicians.

Capricia Productions

Grant in 2017
Capricia Productions is a company focused on developing video games that integrate and interact with musical albums, compositions, and other forms of audible art. The firm is in the process of creating its inaugural Music Video Game (MVG), which aims to combine auditory experiences with artistic vision, offering users a novel way to engage with music. By merging gameplay with music, Capricia Productions seeks to establish a new standard for how audiences listen to and experience musical content.

Lanugo Media

Grant in 2017
Lanugo Media is a children's entertainment company that aims to connect children with their Hispanic cultural heritage. It produces original animated videos, an educational app, and live shows, all designed to instill a strong sense of identity and self-worth in children while teaching them essential skills and Spanish language. The company's content is rich in Latin culture, featuring authentic adventures, music, art, games, and Latino values. Additionally, Lanugo Media operates an online retail store selling children's apparel and accessories, further promoting Hispanic culture and language learning.

Bubo Technologies

Grant in 2017
Bubo Technologies, founded in late 2016 by a group of friends, specializes in creating an online platform that enhances the reading experience through the integration of e-books and synchronized music. The company offers carefully crafted music and unique illustrations that adapt to the narrative, allowing users to read at their own pace while exploring new books and musical compositions. This innovative approach aims to provide a more immersive and emotional connection to literature, transforming the way readers engage with stories.

Infinight

Grant in 2017
Infinight is a technology company focused on enhancing the nightlife experience for both party-goers and venue owners. It offers a mobile and web platform that allows users to discover the best bars, clubs, and events, facilitating easy ticket purchases, table bookings, and access to happy hour deals. The platform uses algorithms to tailor suggestions based on users' musical preferences, location, and social interests. For venue owners, Infinight provides a specialized ticketing and marketing platform designed to streamline operations and improve conversion rates, ultimately saving time and increasing revenue. Through these services, Infinight aims to revolutionize how individuals engage with nightlife.

Inflight VR Software GmbH

Seed Round in 2017
Inflight VR Software GmbH, founded in 2014 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in developing virtual reality ecosystems tailored for the inflight entertainment sector. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines face significant challenges and are seeking innovative revenue streams while enhancing passenger satisfaction. The Inflight VR entertainment system offers airlines a way to monetize their services through pay-per-view, advertising, and eCommerce, while providing passengers with an immersive and engaging experience. The technology captures the full attention of travelers, significantly improving their overall journey. Notable clients, including Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, demonstrate the system's market viability, with average passenger engagement exceeding 80 minutes and a satisfaction rate above 90%. Each passenger utilizing the Inflight VR system has the potential to generate over €7 in revenue, addressing the substantial demand within the travel industry for enhanced inflight experiences.

Inflight VR Software GmbH

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Inflight VR Software GmbH, founded in 2014 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in developing virtual reality ecosystems tailored for the inflight entertainment sector. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines face significant challenges and are seeking innovative revenue streams while enhancing passenger satisfaction. The Inflight VR entertainment system offers airlines a way to monetize their services through pay-per-view, advertising, and eCommerce, while providing passengers with an immersive and engaging experience. The technology captures the full attention of travelers, significantly improving their overall journey. Notable clients, including Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, demonstrate the system's market viability, with average passenger engagement exceeding 80 minutes and a satisfaction rate above 90%. Each passenger utilizing the Inflight VR system has the potential to generate over €7 in revenue, addressing the substantial demand within the travel industry for enhanced inflight experiences.

DatePlay

Grant in 2016
DatePlay is a UK-based online dating platform that differentiates itself by integrating gaming elements. It partners with top game studios to offer real, popular games within its app. DatePlay uses these games not just for entertainment but also to analyze users' personalities accurately, facilitating more compatible matches and reducing wasted time on unsuitable dates.

Sonic Bloom

Grant in 2016
The metaverse presents new opportunities and new complications for developers and businesses interested in enhancing their virtual experiences with music. How are businesses going to broadcast music to visitors of their virtual storefronts across various metaverses? How will they ensure that they provide their users with the most dynamic and engaging experience possible? How is the music industry going to find and engage with new fans in virtual spaces? We are building our Koreo platform to help address these challenges. The Koreo platform combines a music broadcasting and performance tracking solution with a proprietary development tool that developers can leverage to connect visualizations and simulations directly to the music. These features combine to enable rich, emotionally resonant experiences for multiverse users and players. The tracking solutions provide developers and the music industry with user engagement metrics and insights. The metaverse itself is developing from video game technology. Roblox, Minecraft, and Epic's Fortnite are three of the biggest names in the metaverse space, with a combined user base of 440M active monthly users. Bringing music to the metaverse will mean providing a solution to these and other platforms and this is where Sonic Bloom excels. Sonic Bloom's founders are music video game development veterans. They have worked on titles including Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Lips, Dance Central, and The Black Eyed Peas Experience. Their first product, Koreographer, is a music integration tool that has helped thousands of game developers create engaging music-driven experiences. The patented and battle-tested Koreographer toolset is also the foundation for the Koreo platform.

Xogo

Convertible Note in 2016
Xogo is a technology company that develops hardware and software platforms designed to enhance accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities or those facing technological challenges. Their flagship product, Xogo, enables users to connect various devices such as cable boxes, smart home appliances, and gaming consoles via standard USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 3.5mm jack inputs. This platform aims to bridge compatibility gaps between different devices, empowering users to maximize their functionality according to their specific needs and preferences.

Xogo

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Xogo is a technology company that develops hardware and software platforms designed to enhance accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities or those facing technological challenges. Their flagship product, Xogo, enables users to connect various devices such as cable boxes, smart home appliances, and gaming consoles via standard USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 3.5mm jack inputs. This platform aims to bridge compatibility gaps between different devices, empowering users to maximize their functionality according to their specific needs and preferences.

FilmDoo

Seed Round in 2016
FilmDoo Ltd is a London-based company that operates a film platform designed for the discovery, sharing, and viewing of independent and international films. Launched in 2015, the FilmDoo video-on-demand platform offers a diverse library of 2,800 films across various categories, including arthouse, Asian, African, and US indie, among others. The platform supports emerging filmmakers by providing them with a global audience and collaborates with distributors and sales agents throughout the film value chain. In addition to film distribution, FilmDoo has expanded into edutainment, offering resources for learners and educators to utilize film and video content for language learning and cultural exploration. Their course authoring tool allows users to create engaging and interactive lessons using their extensive film catalogue, promoting a novel approach to education that aligns with modern visual learning preferences.

Ader

Grant in 2015
Ader, Inc. is an online marketplace established in 2014 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects brands with eSports influencers on Twitch. The company specializes in live endorsements, offering gamers the opportunity to promote various products through sponsored playthroughs and shoutouts. In playthroughs, products are showcased during 1-3 hours of gameplay, allowing viewers to see them in action, while shoutouts consist of brief discussions where streamers share their appreciation for a product or service. Additionally, Ader provides market research services, including surveys to gather feedback from verified Twitch streamers and their audiences, and offers promotional giveaways for viewers. With a focus on reaching the extensive base of over 100 million monthly gamers on Twitch, Ader serves as a strategic marketing platform for brands looking to engage with the gaming community.

Q App

Grant in 2015
Q App is a revolutionary mobile app that allows you to beat the queues in busy hospitality and entertainment venues. Place your order and pay through your smartphone. You’ll be notified when your order is ready to collect. You'll never need to queue again.

PopUp Childcare

Grant in 2015
PopUp Childcare provides professional drop-in child care onsite at movie theaters, restaurants, sporting events and more. They are changing child care. They leverage unused space like function rooms at movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, sporting events, convention centers, and vacant retail real estate, to create PopUp Childcare locations staffed by their team of trained professionals. Parents search, or receive notifications, for locations with PopUp Childcare. Then book a slot, drop the kids off and enjoy a movie, meal or sporting event knowing their kids are close by, safe and having fun in their care.

A R T C U B E

Grant in 2015
A R T C U B E redefines how we see, experience and buy art. An exclusive online & offline experience for individuals in the art world to share and connect. Expand your network of like-minded people on a social and professional level. From artists to collectors, galleries and everyone who is enthusiastic about art - A R T C U B E will unite the art world. They match buyers directly with galleries, simplifying the purchasing process, while enhancing sales and publicity for the gallery. Combining both a social network with an online marketplace, A R T C U B E provides users with a unique way to fully immerse themselves in all aspects of the art world. Using new technology, including live streaming, AR & VR, we recreate the OFFLINE experience ONLINE. With an expertly curated selection of contemporary fine art in a range of prices, we provide customers with an unparalleled selection to discover, love and buy. Get ready for the launch in Spring 2016.

GLP - Great Little Place

Grant in 2015
GLP - Great Little Place is your little black book of great little places. Great Little Place offers GLP, an application that enables its users to find and share locations, including bars, restaurants, theatres, museums, galleries, and more. Great Little Place was founded in February 2010 by Rossa Shanks and Rich Brown. It is based in London, England.

Choosic

Grant in 2015
Choosic is a music discovery app which brings users personalised music recommendations and fast playlist building in a simple and intuitive user interface. They deliver fresh and trending music from around the web straight to the people who will most likely appreciate it. They learn user preferences by serving one recommendation at a time. Fast and effortless music discovery at the swipe of a finger.

FilmDoo

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
FilmDoo Ltd is a London-based company that operates a film platform designed for the discovery, sharing, and viewing of independent and international films. Launched in 2015, the FilmDoo video-on-demand platform offers a diverse library of 2,800 films across various categories, including arthouse, Asian, African, and US indie, among others. The platform supports emerging filmmakers by providing them with a global audience and collaborates with distributors and sales agents throughout the film value chain. In addition to film distribution, FilmDoo has expanded into edutainment, offering resources for learners and educators to utilize film and video content for language learning and cultural exploration. Their course authoring tool allows users to create engaging and interactive lessons using their extensive film catalogue, promoting a novel approach to education that aligns with modern visual learning preferences.

Earplay

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
Earplay is a creative platform focused on producing and publishing voice-first interactive audio experiences. It provides real-time collaboration software that enables teams to design, create, and manage interactive audio content efficiently. The cloud-based platform facilitates the management and updating of audio experiences across various voice-enabled devices and services. By allowing creators and publishers to build and deploy voice interactions, Earplay supports the development of immersive titles that can be distributed across major channels, enhancing user engagement through a conversational interface.

Catchbox

Grant in 2014
Catchbox is a Finnish company that specializes in the development of a unique throwable wireless microphone designed to enhance audience engagement during events. Founded in 2012 at Aalto University, Catchbox emerged from the need to facilitate audience participation in lectures and conferences, where traditional microphone setups often hindered interaction. The innovative microphone features internal electronics that automatically mute the audio when the device is caught, thrown, or dropped, ensuring clear audio capture without unwanted noise. This design allows for seamless audio transmission from both presenters and audience members, promoting inclusive interactions in large spaces. Catchbox has undergone extensive product testing at over 100 events to refine its features and design, resulting in a product that supports hybrid meetings, voice lift, and real-time captioning. Early adopters of Catchbox include notable organizations such as Evernote and Nordic Business Forum, reflecting its effectiveness in fostering engaging communication during events.

Beat Farm

Grant in 2014
Beat Farm USA is a company that specializes in creating original music tailored to enhance the experience of action sports enthusiasts. Founded in April 2013, Beat Farm focuses on developing a smartphone application that alters the music a rider listens to based on their movements, including tricks, turns, and spins. This innovative approach provides a unique and immersive experience that combines music and physical activity. The company's online store, launched in May 2013, supports its mission by offering a product that falls under a new category known as Body-Activated Music, allowing users to effectively "grow their own beats" as they engage in their favorite sports.

Trill

Grant in 2014
Trill operates a media platform focused on arts and culture, enabling users to discover live local events such as music, comedy, theatre, and dance shows in cities like Boston, New York City, Asbury Park, and Los Angeles. The platform serves as a discovery engine, promoting daily dialogue around these events and encouraging attendance at both free and smaller, classical venues. By highlighting diverse live performances, Trill aims to connect audiences with the vibrant cultural offerings in their communities.

Roammeo

Grant in 2012
Roammeo is a website and app that shows you the best events for you, in real-time, based on your interests and where you're standing. Roammeo is an event discovery engine that solves the moments of knowing that something good is going on in a city, but having no way of finding out what that "something" is. It is a real-time website and mobile app that pulls nearby events automatically from relevant calendars and ranks them on quality and relevancy using proprietary algorithms. Roammeo is available around urban college campuses and earns its recurring revenues from hosts switching from print to online.

Movl

Grant in 2012
Movl is a developer of innovative connected applications that enhance the television experience by enabling seamless connectivity between smart TVs and smartphones through cloud technology. The company focuses on creating multi-user and multi-device applications that facilitate interactive experiences in the living room. Movl has gained recognition for its award-winning apps, including WeTeli and WeDraw, which showcase its proprietary platform. In 2011, Movl's WeDraw app won first prize in Samsung's Free the TV Challenge, earning over $200,000 in cash prizes, while WeTeli received an honorable mention at CES 2011. With a skilled team, Movl is poised to continue its development of cutting-edge TV applications.

KidsCOOK Productions

Grant in 2011
KidsCOOK Productions is an interactive, digital, sitcom-like show for health and wellness education! Celebrities.

Gramify

Grant in 2010
Gramify is personalized audio greetings that feature the voice of celebrities and fictional characters. These are emotionally-engaging alternatives to print cards and ecards. They are bought online and delivered either through a phone call or through Facebook. They started signing licenses and are negotiating with major brands. The best part is the team which include licensing heavyweights who have done hundreds of deals.

3Play Media

Grant in 2010
3Play Media, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in video accessibility services, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions including video captioning, transcription, audio description, subtitling, and translation services. Founded in 2007, the company aims to enhance the accessibility of web video content across various sectors such as online video, entertainment, education, corporate training, market research, and government, as well as serving churches and religious broadcasters. By combining advanced technology with human expertise, 3Play Media ensures high-quality services that are delivered with fast turnaround times, leveraging natural language processing and machine learning to achieve accuracy at scale.
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