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It's time to... Announce Some of Our Marketing and Ecosystem Partners for the Startup World Cup Boston Regional Final! We are pleased to spotlight some of our key partners whose work and leadership are instrumental to the success of this year’s event: Hack.Diversity: Shoutout to Hoai Quach, who has helped us out with two Techstars Startup Weekend Boston's as well! Hack Diversity is dedicated to creating a more inclusive tech ecosystem, aligned 100% with BNT, by breaking down barriers for underrepresented talent. Congratulations on their recent wrap party, and here is to many more work being done together. American Marketing Association | Boston With the help of Emilee Cocuzzo, AMA Boston is connecting the region’s marketing professionals with innovative and collaborative opportunities. Emilee is a wonderful partner to work with and we've got big plans! ANIMA Women: Led by the one and only Irina Sychov. As a rapidly growing community of female founders, ANIMA Women serves as an immersive hub for women in entrepreneurship. Their commitment to supporting and empowering female innovators is making a lasting impact, and we are proud to partner with Irina, her ladies and allies in this endeavour. Scroobious: Allison Byers and Lily Macomber are leading the charge at Scroobious, working tirelessly to reshape the funding landscape for underrepresented founders. Their advocacy ensures that diverse entrepreneurs have the resources and networks necessary to thrive. The grand prize winner, finalists, and participants will each receive something fabulous from Scroobious thanks to Lily's famous resourcefulness. The individuals I just mentioned are marvels driving meaningful change in the tech and startup communities. Their contributions are vital to the Startup World Cup Boston Regional Final, and we look forward to the impact they will continue to have. ....but that’s not all—stay tuned for Tuesday morning, when we’ll be announcing four more surprise partners who are joining us for the Startup World Cup Boston Regional Final. You won’t want to miss this! #StartupWorldCupBOS #BostonNewTechnology #StartupWorldCupBOSNews

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Doug Zingale is an incredibly helpful human being, in matters big and small. When I first joined Prepare 4 VC, it was illuminating to see the way he understood the purposes, pain points, areas of progress and also areas in need of improvement for entrepreneurs at various different stages and from a wide range of backgrounds as well. That simple approach, that forthright sense of offering advice, and that history of being helpful is what drew the organizing team and I to reach out to Doug and ask for his assistance with the return of Startup World Cup to Boston. As co-founder and managing partner of Blue Goose Capital, is a highly respected figure in the venture capital and healthcare industries. With decades of experience in biotech and healthcare, Doug has been instrumental in leading major financial and strategic transactions, working closely with companies like Biogen and Vertex. His expertise extends to a broad range of roles, including his time as General Manager for Strategic Partnerships at Microsoft and as Chairman of the Global Business Practice at Mintz. At Blue Goose Capital, Doug focuses on investing in transformative biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. His portfolio includes pioneering firms such as Mythic Therapeutics, which is involved in cutting-edge biopharma developments, and ABLE Human Motion, an exoskeleton company that empowers severely disabled individuals to walk again. Beyond his investment activities, Doug is deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, serving as a startup advisor at Harvard Business School and UMassM2D2, and as a lecturer on venture capital at Esade. I'd like to thank Doug again for jumping aboard this ship with us. I can't wait to set sail! #StartupWorldCupBOS #BostonNewTechnology #startupworldcup

I mentioned in my previous post that it was a busy day at Boston New Technology (BNT) and Prepare 4 VC --- and indeed it was! We are coming right down to it with Startup World Cup on the 28th and everywhere you look our ecosystem friends are in a similar state of preparation and celebration, all sailing towards fabulous destinations -- Boston Founders Forum recently celebrating their 1 year anniversary (h/t Christopher Harris and Eleni Vorvis and team). As I've said time and time again, you're winning if David Wieselmann appreciates what you're doing. Of course one of the first loves of my professional life Startup Boston is happening in less than 3 weeks (Stephanie Roulic and I are in an unofficial race to see who can drink the most coffee, I am losing naturally) The Tech Walk with Sara Fraim, Connor Harbison and friends has had a wonderful season. We can rely on a steady supply of solid advice from Jonny Boyarsky and George "G" Le, and unlike my founder years there are more times spent out in the sun (roofdecks no less) and eating healthy breakfast as opposed to co-working place beers and boredom. Yes, the community scene is truly popping and there's so much to be excited about and so much to explore -- usually being covered and empowered by the likes of Matt Crane, Jennifer Ejeh, Jordan Elster and many more. There are AI events with hundreds of people one million percent smarter than me (such as Judah Phillips ) and our robots are getting even cooler (thanks Marita McGinn). We are a unique ecosystem. Full of characters, sagas, and so much potential. There are scores of other folks I could tag to further validate this statement but I know those reading it would agree. This innovation thing of ours only seems to get more worthwhile each day despite its challenges. All powered by the people.

After a long day of planning for Startup World Cup Boston, my head and heart are full of joy for what we're involved in -- and especially for the people we have who are helping us bring back one of the world's most exciting events in venture. Among those luminaries who will be spending the treasure of their time with us, Ian Levine's enthusiasm for joining as an expert judge set the tone for the positive turning of the tide in the weeks which have elapsed from when he first said "Happy to do so!". Let's learn a bit more about the man behind the banner. Ian Levine is the Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group. With over 15 years of experience as an angel investor, Ian has been instrumental in founding, scaling, and exiting several SaaS startups. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of multiple Boston-based startups, including AI Lean, Latitude Beverage Company, and Zipper Agent. Before his role in Launchpad Venture Group, Ian accumulated decades of experience in executive roles across Mid-Sized and Fortune 500 companies, particularly in the Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance industry. His diverse roles included Sales, Marketing, Sales Operations, Operational Management, and Corporate M&A. Ian's an active speaker as well, and has served as an expert panelist on the national stage, with a focus on Sales Enablement and Sales Effectiveness. It'll be wonderful to have him join his fellow judges on August 28th at Microsoft NERD, and we'd love to see you there as well! Link in the comments. #BostonNewTechnology #BNT #StartupWorldCupBOS2024 #StartupWorldCup

"At Prepare 4 VC, we are always looking for ways to enhance the value we provide to startups and entrepreneurs," said Jason Kraus, Founder and CEO of Prepare 4 VC. "By partnering with foundAItion Inc, we are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to offer our community a more dynamic and responsive experience. This collaboration will allow us to support startups more effectively, ensuring they receive the guidance and resources they need to succeed."

We've compiled a list of discounts and recommendations from our partners in the #startupcommunity on the Prepare 4 VC resources page. Check it out and tag any startup support organizations you'd like to see there in the comments: https://zurl.co/dk1H

As we approach the fateful date, we continue to spotlight the spectacular startups that are making Startup World Cup Boston shine. Today, it's all about Omolara Fatiregun! Omolara is a seasoned public health professional and social justice advocate with extensive experience in performance management and program evaluation. She launched THRIVE to address systemic inequities in government spending, particularly in education. The THRIVE Budgeting for Equity software uses data-driven methods to identify and mitigate systemic racism in school and government budgets. This innovative tool compiles best practices proven to close achievement gaps and improve outcomes for marginalized communities. Before founding THRIVE, Omolara held key positions in various public and private sectors, including the DC Government’s juvenile justice agency and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Her deep understanding of the intersection of policy, education, and equity has informed the development of THRIVE's powerful equity audit algorithm, which is now being used by local governments across the United States to reallocate resources more equitably. Omolara's work has been recognized by prominent organizations such as MIT Solve, the Boston Globe, and Halcyon, and her efforts continue to push the boundaries of social innovation. As a finalist in the Startup World Cup Boston Regional, Omolara’s leadership in creating a more just and equitable society is both timely and impactful. Come see Omolara pitch on August 28th at Microsoft NERD with Boston New Technology (BNT), Pegasus Tech Ventures Prepare 4 VC, GT Law LLC, ANIMA Global, Hack.Diversity, American Marketing Association | Boston and more! #BostonNewTechnology #BNT #StartupWorldCupBOS

Time for another Founder Spotlight as part of Boston New Technology (BNT) and Pegasus Tech Ventures Startup World Cup Boston! Let's get to know Leo Dassa, co-founder and CEO of LastMinute, one of the exceptional finalists for the Startup World Cup Boston Regional Final. Leo’s voyage is a testament to his relentless drive, vast contributions to the startup ecosystem, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Leo's inspiration to create LastMinute emerged from a profound family health crisis that highlighted the dire consequences of understaffed healthcare facilities. In response, Leo founded LastMinute in 2023, an AI-powered platform that predicts and addresses staffing shortages, ensuring that healthcare providers are fully equipped to deliver top-notch patient care. His innovation has already made waves, securing partnerships with major hospitals across Massachusetts, Texas, and Iowa, and attracting $250,000 in seed funding to further its mission. Beyond his role as a founder, Leo is known for his kindness, mentorship, and dedication to the startup community. He actively shares his knowledge and experience, nurturing other entrepreneurs and contributing to a supportive and collaborative ecosystem. His humility and eagerness to learn continually fuel his growth as both a leader and a community builder. Leo’s contributions to society and startups, his passion for mentoring others, and his commitment to continuous learning make him an extraordinary finalist in this year’s competition. Come meet Leo - don't wait till the last minute, as he competes on the big stage. #startups #BostonNewTechnology #BNT #StartupWorldCupBOS2024 #entrepreneurship