Accelerator · Boston, Massachusetts, United States
MassChallenge
MassChallenge runs equity-free, no-fee accelerators from Boston. Its US Traction programmes run themed hybrid cohorts with events in Boston and Dallas, such as Healthcare & Life Sciences and Security & Resiliency.
Status unknown
Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages
Terms
- Funding
- not published No upfront investment or funding; MassChallenge describes a competition-based model with cash awards in some programmes
- Instrument
- No investment
- Equity taken
- None (equity-free)
- Programme fee
- No fee No programme or application fee; travel to in-person events is self-funded and no stipends are provided
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- Hybrid
- Stages
- Pre-seed, seed, post-seed
- Sectors
- Health tech, Biotech, Medtech, Cybersecurity
- Open to founders from
- Anywhere
- Perks
-
- Direct access to enterprise, government and defence decision-makers
- Go-to-market, strategy and investor-readiness support
- Pilot, partnership and contract opportunities
The 2026 Security & Resiliency Traction programme runs over 10 weeks for pre-seed to Series A+ companies. The inaugural 2026 Healthcare & Life Sciences Traction cohort had 41 startups.
Application dates
Status unknown
Dates not published. The 2026 Security & Resiliency Traction cohort (applications 11 June to 9 July 2026) kicked off in Boston in September 2026. MassChallenge says 2027 Healthcare & Life Sciences Traction applications will be announced.
Usual timing: The 2026 Security & Resiliency Traction cohort (applications 11 June to 9 July 2026) kicked off in Boston in September 2026. MassChallenge says 2027 Healthcare & Life Sciences Traction applications will be announced.
Who can apply
- Pre-revenue and revenue-generating companies may apply
- Companies outside the US may apply if they can travel to the US for required events
- Founders must attend two in-person events, in Boston and Dallas
- Stage: pre-seed, seed, post-seed
What founders should check
- The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
- It charges no programme fee.
- It mixes remote and in-person sessions in Boston. Ask how much time on site it expects.
- Dates for the next cohort are not published. The 2026 Security & Resiliency Traction cohort (applications 11 June to 9 July 2026) kicked off in Boston in September 2026. MassChallenge says 2027 Healthcare & Life Sciences Traction applications will be announced.
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