55 startups register for the first call of the MC-Biscay Boot Camp programme in order to access the programmes of the Mass Challenge accelerator in Boston with the support of the Provincial Council of Biscay

Fifty-five startups have registered for the first call of the MC-Biscay Boot Camp programme which will prepare ten young companies to access the programmes of the Mass Challenge accelerator in Boston.

This programme is possible thanks to the agreement between the Provincial Council and Mass Challenge, the largest startup accelerator in the world, to connect entrepreneurs and startups from Biscay with markets, networks and investors from the global innovation ecosystem.

The projects which have been submitted come from multiple sectors and involve creative industries such as videogames and fashion, digital environments or web platforms, biosciences or technological developments amongst others.

They are all startups with less than one million dollars in revenue and up to 10 years in existence.

At present, Mass Challenge is conducting the selection process with 20 semi-finalists. These 20 projects will participate on 9 and 10 February in the “pitch competition” which is going to be held at Beaz headquarters in Bilbao. At the end of the competition, Mass Challenge will announce the names of the 10 finalist projects which will travel to Boston. The list of the 20 semi-finalists will be posted on 3 February.

The 10 finalist projects will travel to Boston on 7-11 March.

With programmes in Boston, Israel and the UK, Mass Challenge offers entrepreneurs guidance with mentorship, office space, training, access to a wide network and other resources during the four months of the acceleration programmes. Mass Challenge awards amount to over $ 1,750,000 in non-dilutive grants to the startups which demonstrate the highest impact and highest potential. Mass Challenge is a non-profit organization, funded by corporate, public and foundation partners. To date, the 617 Mass Challenge alumni have raised over $ 947 million in funding, generated $ 485 million in revenue and created 5,105 jobs. www.masschallenge.org