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

Matt 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 Skincare

Sóliome

Non Equity Assistance in 2024
Sóliome is a biotechnology company founded in 2021 and based in San Francisco, California. The company specializes in developing protein-based sunscreens designed to be safe for both the skin and the environment. These innovative products aim to reduce inflammation and skin damage caused by traditional sunscreens, which often contain harmful xenobiotic ingredients that can absorb into the skin and contribute to ecological harm. Sóliome's approach allows customers to protect their skin from harmful rays without the adverse effects associated with conventional sunscreen formulations.

KerlyGirl

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
KerlyGirl is a B2C startup offering an e-commerce site selling hair masks, curl creams, and serums. Its products are specifically catered to people with Type 3 and 4 hair — the very tightest coils — and are all plant-based and COSMOS-certified organic.

Kura Skin

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Kura Skin is a skincare matchmaking platform. We use data and our proprietary matchmaking algorithm to help our customers cut through the clutter and find what works for a fraction of the cost and none of the hassle.

Hue

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Hue Beauty is a beauty technology and sampling platform designed to assist beauty shoppers in identifying makeup products that complement their unique skin tones. The platform integrates with beauty brands' e-commerce websites, utilizing photo technology and a community of beauty advisors to facilitate accurate shade matching. Additionally, Hue Beauty offers customized try-at-home shade sampling kits, enhancing the shopping experience. The company also develops shoppable video technology, allowing online beauty brands to incorporate user-generated videos into their marketing strategies. This approach fosters customer trust and engagement by providing authentic content. Moreover, Hue Beauty employs an artificial intelligence-powered recommendation engine to analyze shoppers' skin tones, types, and beauty preferences, enabling clients to generate genuine reviews in various formats.

React4life

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
React4life is an Italian biotech company established in 2016 by Silvia Scaglione and Maurizio Aiello, following over 15 years of research and development. The company focuses on advancing biomedical research through its innovative technology, MIVO® (Multi In Vitro Organ), which represents a next-generation organ-on-a-chip system. This microphysiological platform allows researchers to simulate human biology more accurately in laboratory settings, addressing the limitations of traditional in vitro assays and animal testing. React4life's technology enhances the reliability and predictivity of various applications, including pharmaceutical drug testing, personalized medicine, immuno-oncology therapies, cosmetics, dermatology, and nutraceuticals. By enabling the cultivation of three-dimensional human-like tissues for in vitro testing, React4life aims to improve the effectiveness of laboratory experiments and promote ethical research practices.

Naturbeads

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Naturbeads Ltd, established in 2018 and located in Malmesbury, United Kingdom, specializes in producing biodegradable cellulose microparticles designed to replace plastic microbeads commonly found in cosmetics, toiletries, and various industrial applications such as paints and adhesives. The company's innovative technology, developed at the University of Bath, offers an eco-friendly alternative that aims to mitigate the environmental impact of microplastic pollution in oceans and soil. By substituting fossil-fuel-based plastic with natural cellulose beads, Naturbeads enables its customers to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to reducing pollution associated with conventional microbeads.

OULI

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Ouli is a skincare manufacturing company s[ecializes in regenerating axolotl salamander and synthetic biology to extract.

Renzoe Box

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Renzoe Box is a beauty platform that combines hardware and software to simplify personal makeup organization. The company offers an innovative makeup storage and pod system designed to accommodate various makeup products within a single, compact box. This system allows users to create their personalized palettes while organizing their makeup accessories in designated compartments. By streamlining the makeup collection process, Renzoe Box enables users to manage and transport their beauty products more efficiently.

Rayito de Luna

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Rayito de Luna is a Mexican company that develops beauty and personal care products for women and men. It is an eco-friendly 100% natural personal care brand, that practices fair trade and supports the development of local independent producers.

HanaBi

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
HanaBi wants to offer these customers a ready-to-go solution to penetrate the in-wash fabric solid scent booster market, and to their consumers better product to fulfill their long-lasting fragrance expectations.

Mibiomics

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
MIBIOMICS mission is to develop innovative, safe, and effective microbiome-based solutions to treat currently incurable skin diseases.

Upwell cosmetics

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Upwell’s is a cosmetic industry provides patented algae wax with safe ingredients.

Infinite Roots

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Infinite Roots is a technology-driven company focused on creating sustainable health and wellness products using natural ingredients. By blending traditional remedies with modern science, the company emphasizes the use of organic and ethically sourced materials to promote holistic well-being. Their product range includes herbal supplements, skincare, and wellness solutions designed to support natural healing and balance. Additionally, Infinite Roots has developed fermentation technology that cultivates mushroom mycelium, enabling the production of nutritious and sustainable food options, including meat alternatives. This innovative approach allows the company to offer diverse, flavorful products while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical practices.

Mibiomics

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
MIBIOMICS mission is to develop innovative, safe, and effective microbiome-based solutions to treat currently incurable skin diseases.

Abeja Reyna

Grant in 2019
Abeja Reyna specializes in the online production and marketing of honey-based products. The company manufactures natural beauty care items that harness the beneficial properties of honey, known for its moisturizing, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities. Their products are crafted using honey nutrients and are free of parabens, ensuring a focus on organic and sustainable ingredients. By emphasizing the health benefits of honey, Abeja Reyna aims to provide consumers with effective and environmentally friendly options in personal care.

Belleza check

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Bellezacheck is the 'Tripadvisor' of beauty product and that provides consumer reviews&ratings on website.

ZeoVation

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
ZeoVation Inc., founded in 2016 and located in Columbus, Ohio, specializes in the production of nanozeolites and hierarchical zeolites. These advanced materials are designed to enhance a variety of consumer products, including skin care lotions, sunscreens, and laundry detergents, by improving the efficiency of water softeners and filtration systems. ZeoVation also supplies zeolite materials to various markets such as sun and skin care, home care, healthcare, coatings, and water and gas purification. The company focuses on developing innovative solutions, including a controlled-release antimicrobial and antiviral particle that can be integrated into various applications like sprays, coatings, and textiles. This technology aims to combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, thereby contributing to safer and cleaner products.

Yaupon Teahouse

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Yaupon Teahouse is an e-commerce website for skin care products, tea, bath, and body products. Their leaves were used for ceremonies, traditional medicine, and caffeinated tea. It develops teas and wellness products by pairing yaupon with other medicinal herbs and botanical plants. It also has a store to serve the local market.

Impact Everything

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Impact Everything is a business focused on community assistance through the sale of various products, including clothing, accessories, home goods, and bath and body products. The company operates an online platform that allows customers to select from a diverse range of items while also contributing to solutions for pressing global issues with each purchase. Impact Everything emphasizes the importance of social responsibility, enabling consumers to make a positive impact through their buying choices. The company provides multiple contact options, including mail, phone, and a physical address, to facilitate communication with its community.

Aisling Organics

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Aisling Organics is a pioneering company that specializes in high-performance organic makeup and skincare products. Founded by Krysta Lewis, who sought healthier alternatives after discovering that her foundation was detrimental to her health, Aisling aims to bridge the gap between beauty and wellness. The company offers a diverse range of products, including concealer, liquid foundation, eyeshadow, lip gloss, and mascara, all formulated from crushed plants and herbs. Aisling's e-commerce platform allows consumers to access skin-friendly alternatives to conventional cosmetics, ensuring that individuals do not have to compromise their health for beauty.

SoaPen

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Soapen is a cosmetics company founded in 2016 by Amanat Anand and Shubham Issar, specializing in handmade soap designed for children. The company produces roll-on soap bottles that aim to promote hygiene habits in a playful manner. These innovative bottles contain non-irritating, non-toxic soap that is free from harmful substances such as SLS, parabens, phthalates, and any animal by-products. By providing a fun and engaging way for kids to wash their hands, Soapen encourages healthy hygiene practices among its young users.

KUSHAE

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
KUSHAE offers feminine personal care items. They provide a wide range of goods, including spray, body wash, lotions, and more. They also provide free shipping on orders of $60 or more.

Canomiks

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Canomiks operates a genomics and artificial intelligence-based technology platform that focuses on testing and certifying the biological efficacy and safety of ingredients and formulations. Its services cater to the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement, and skincare industries, allowing companies to develop safe and effective products efficiently. By leveraging omics science, data analytics, machine learning, and bioinformatics, Canomiks streamlines the validation process for product efficacy, ultimately enabling clients to enhance product quality while reducing development time and costs. The company's long-term vision is to actualize the concept of food as medicine.

GuestBox

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
GuestBox offers a subscription service that delivers curated welcome boxes for hosts of vacation rentals. These boxes contain high-quality essentials and luxury amenities, including toiletries, skincare products, and snacks, tailored to enhance the guest experience. By subscribing to GuestBox, hosts can easily select and order personalized gift boxes, ensuring their guests receive thoughtful and premium items during their stay. The service aims to provide a convenient solution for property owners looking to elevate their hospitality offerings.

Orchid Green

Grant in 2017
Orchid Green has developed the natural compound AAPE1, which is an anti-aging antioxidant for skin. AAPE1 is chemically stable, resistant under high and low temperatures, and keeps its effectiveness over time. AAPE is water soluble and inhibits wrinkle formation.

SunZee

Grant in 2017
SunZee is a company focused on revolutionizing the sunscreen application process by introducing an innovative capsule system that allows users to dispense sunscreen directly onto their fingertips with a single hand motion. The sunscreen capsules are integrated into a fashionable wristband, making sun protection both accessible and stylish. This product addresses the growing awareness of sun damage while modernizing how sunscreen is consumed, particularly catering to the needs of busy individuals, including children. SunZee aims to enhance the user experience and promote education on sun protection through its disruptive approach in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.

Droplette

Grant in 2017
Droplette Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in the development of a needle-free skincare device that utilizes a patent-pending transdermal delivery system. This innovative technology allows for the delivery of drugs up to 60% larger than traditional treatments, penetrating deeply into the skin over large surface areas. The device is designed to be painless, contact-free, and portable, generating no disposables. Initially aimed at delivering antibiotics for serious skin conditions such as ulcers and infections, Droplette also envisions future applications for localized delivery of chemotherapeutics for skin cancer and anti-aging treatments. By enabling effective skincare without harmful chemicals, Droplette aims to transform skin health through scientific advancement.

Kreyol

Grant in 2017
Kreyol Essence is an agribusiness focused on providing affordable luxury beauty products sourced from Haiti. It serves as a leading platform for organic commodities from the region, offering a range of signature products that emphasize natural ingredients and social impact. The company is dedicated to empowering women by employing 400 local women and farmers, thus contributing to improvements in environmental, agricultural, and economic conditions in Haiti. Kreyol Essence operates with a mission to address complex social issues through its business model, promoting sustainability and community welfare.

BeautyLynk

Grant in 2016
BeautyLynk, Inc. is a beauty booking platform that offers on-location and web-based services, allowing users to schedule hair and makeup appointments at their homes, offices, hotels, and other locations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company primarily caters to women but also provides services for men and children aged 17 and older. BeautyLynk operates in major cities, including Atlanta, Boston, and Washington, D.C. The platform enables users to access professional hair stylists and makeup artists conveniently, addressing their grooming needs while saving time and money.

MesenFlow Technologies

Grant in 2016
MesenFlow Technologies specializes in bio-imaging technology aimed at enhancing drug and cosmetic development. The company has created a platform that accelerates the drug development process by addressing challenges related to species cross-reactivity, animal testing, and understanding human diseases. Utilizing proprietary protocols on primary human cells, MesenFlow enables early definition of a drug's mechanism of action and translational relevance. The technology has also been adapted for the cosmetics and nutrition sectors, allowing for the assessment of the physiological impact of cosmetic or nutraceutical candidates during the early development phase. This approach supports environments where animal-free testing is essential and emphasizes the importance of understanding human biology in product development.

Ecoflora Cares

Grant in 2015
Ecoflora Cares SAS specializes in developing natural color technologies tailored for the food and personal care industries. Established in 1988 and based in Sabaneta, Colombia, the company provides a variety of services including the development of natural colors according to client specifications, guidance on transitioning from synthetic to natural colors, and testing the performance of colors in food applications. This includes assessments of solubility, stability, precipitation, and concentration, ensuring that the colors meet the specific requirements of clients' industrial processes. Ecoflora Cares is committed to sustainable and socially responsible practices, utilizing bio-supplies derived from biodiversity to offer natural and healthy products across multiple sectors.

Live Better With

Grant in 2015
Live Better With Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, operates an online platform dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients. The company offers a wide range of healthcare products designed to alleviate symptoms and side effects associated with cancer treatments. These products are categorized by specific needs such as skin care, pain management, digestive health, and mental well-being. Live Better With curates these items based on feedback from the cancer community, making it easy for users to find relevant solutions tailored to their individual experiences. The platform also provides advice, recommendations, and a supportive community, aiming to enhance the quality of daily life for those living with cancer.

Live Better With

Seed Round in 2015
Live Better With Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, operates an online platform dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients. The company offers a wide range of healthcare products designed to alleviate symptoms and side effects associated with cancer treatments. These products are categorized by specific needs such as skin care, pain management, digestive health, and mental well-being. Live Better With curates these items based on feedback from the cancer community, making it easy for users to find relevant solutions tailored to their individual experiences. The platform also provides advice, recommendations, and a supportive community, aiming to enhance the quality of daily life for those living with cancer.

MoringaConnect

Grant in 2014
They are changing the story of the smallholder farmer starting with Moringa, known worldwide as “the miracle tree” for its highly nutritional leaves. They take the forgotten part --the seeds-- and process them into an oil with unmatched cosmetic benefits for hair and skin care and a press meal for animal feed and water purification. They manage the entire supply chain- training, micro-credit, miniaturized value-added processing, and marketing to a global audience.

Droplette

Non Equity Assistance in 2014
Droplette Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in the development of a needle-free skincare device that utilizes a patent-pending transdermal delivery system. This innovative technology allows for the delivery of drugs up to 60% larger than traditional treatments, penetrating deeply into the skin over large surface areas. The device is designed to be painless, contact-free, and portable, generating no disposables. Initially aimed at delivering antibiotics for serious skin conditions such as ulcers and infections, Droplette also envisions future applications for localized delivery of chemotherapeutics for skin cancer and anti-aging treatments. By enabling effective skincare without harmful chemicals, Droplette aims to transform skin health through scientific advancement.

Keraderm

Grant in 2013
Keraderm Corp. specializes in innovative therapies for skin and nail infections and disorders, focusing on the healing power of light through a patented phototherapy treatment. This approach has demonstrated potential effectiveness in clinical trials and is recognized as the only germicidal light nail treatment with patented technology. The company also offers skin remodeling and reconstruction solutions aimed at treating injuries from burns, accidents, and chronic diseases. Their proprietary product consists of skin-cell-coated sheets cultivated from a small sample of the patient's own healthy skin, allowing for a painless, non-surgical procedure that minimizes scarring and reduces costs compared to traditional surgical grafts. This unique method utilizes cultures of keratinocytes and autologous fibroblasts on acellular collagen sheets, providing patients with a reliable option for tissue reconstruction.

Pixtr

Grant in 2013
Pixtr Ltd. is a mobile photo editing application company founded in 2012 and based in Haifa, Israel. The application is designed to enhance photographs automatically, allowing users to achieve professional-quality results without requiring photography expertise. By focusing on the main subjects of images, particularly people, Pixtr improves their appearance, ensuring they look their best regardless of personal insecurities. The application features tools for eliminating skin blemishes, correcting red-eye, and enhancing selfies, making it suitable for both individual and group photos. Pixtr aims to make advanced image improvement accessible to the general public, with aspirations to become a standard in the photography space, ensuring that all online images benefit from its technology.

EyeDoll Chatter

Grant in 2013
Eyedoll Chatter is an application that offers scented eyeshadows, face shimmers, and lip glosses.

Keraderm

Grant in 2013
Keraderm Corp. specializes in innovative therapies for skin and nail infections and disorders, focusing on the healing power of light through a patented phototherapy treatment. This approach has demonstrated potential effectiveness in clinical trials and is recognized as the only germicidal light nail treatment with patented technology. The company also offers skin remodeling and reconstruction solutions aimed at treating injuries from burns, accidents, and chronic diseases. Their proprietary product consists of skin-cell-coated sheets cultivated from a small sample of the patient's own healthy skin, allowing for a painless, non-surgical procedure that minimizes scarring and reduces costs compared to traditional surgical grafts. This unique method utilizes cultures of keratinocytes and autologous fibroblasts on acellular collagen sheets, providing patients with a reliable option for tissue reconstruction.
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