Startup life isn’t all wins and unicorn valuations. This session pulls back the curtain on the real highs and lows of building a company, featuring true stories of successes, failures, and the hard-earned lessons in between, including:
How founders navigated some of the toughest moments in their startup journey
The most rewarding wins—and the hidden challenges behind them
Lessons learned about resilience, leadership, and decision-making
How to find support and resources during difficult times
What founders wish they knew before starting their journey
You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the emotional rollercoaster of startup life—and practical insights on how to weather the storms and celebrate the wins.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is ideal for founders, startup operators, and anyone considering launching a company.
As a growth-stage startup, your board can be a powerful asset - or a major source of friction. This session will explore how to effectively manage board relationships, align expectations, and leverage strategic input to drive business success, including:
Understanding the role of the board in governance, oversight, and strategic input
How board composition evolves as your company grows
Setting clear, proactive communication practices to align the board with company priorities
Preparing for board meetings without losing operational focus
Managing tough conversations and navigating challenging feedback
Turning your board into a strategic advantage rather than a time sink
You’ll gain insights into structuring a high-performing board, improving communication, and using strategic guidance to accelerate growth.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is perfect for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams of growth-stage startups looking to strengthen their board dynamics and strategic alignment.
From factory floors to hospital rooms, robotics and automation are reshaping industries and redefining what’s possible. This panel will explore the latest breakthroughs in robotics and how startups are driving change across manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. Key topics include:
How robotics startups are transforming industries like manufacturing and healthcare
The biggest technical challenges facing robotics companies in Boston
How Boston can maintain its leadership in robotics innovation
Ethical and regulatory considerations in the development of autonomous robots
You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the future of robotics and how to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is ideal for robotics founders, tech developers, investors, and business leaders exploring the intersection of automation and innovation.
Hiring the right people at the right time is critical for scaling your startup effectively. This session will explore how to build a talent strategy that aligns with your company’s growth, including:
How to balance immediate hiring needs with projected growth
Which roles to hire for internally vs. outsource to contractors or agencies
How team structures evolve through different growth phases
When is the right time to hire key leadership and operational roles
Strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market
You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to create a hiring plan that supports your company’s long-term success without overextending resources.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is ideal for founders and startup teams scaling after a seed or Series A round.
At some point, every founder faces the challenge of stepping back from day-to-day sales and building a scalable sales engine.
This session will explore how to transition from founder-led sales to a structured, scalable sales process, including:
When to hire a VP or Head of Sales - and how to find the right fit
How to systematize sales motions and metrics to track progress without being in every meeting
Training someone else to sell your product or service effectively
Letting go - mentally and operationally - without losing control of the sales process
Communicating your sales transition strategy to your board and investors
You’ll walk away with actionable strategies for scaling your sales process while maintaining strategic oversight—so you can focus on driving long-term growth.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is ideal for founders and startup teams preparing to scale after a seed or Series A round.
Thinking big is essential - but knowing how to break down ambitious goals into achievable milestones is the key to startup success. This session will guide you through the art of strategic goal-setting, including:
Why setting clear goals is essential for long-term growth
Defining and using common goal-setting frameworks (KPIs, OKRs, SMART)
How to set effective goals that drive focus and accountability
The consequences of poor goal-setting—and how to fix it
Best practices for involving your team in goal-setting and tracking
Setting up a dashboard to measure progress and stay on course
You’ll leave with a clear framework for setting and tracking meaningful goals - so you can turn your big vision into actionable progress.
This session is part of Startup Boston Week 2025 and is perfect for founders, product leaders, and startup teams - especially those without a business background.
