Pitching Boston’s Future: A Climatetech Showcase for Underrepresented Founders
Startup Boston and the City of Boston are joining forces to shine a spotlight on the next generation of underrepresented climatetech founders.
At this high-energy pitch showcase, selected entrepreneurs will take the stage to pitch their ventures—each with 5 minutes to present and 3 minutes of Q&A with the judges—competing for cash prizes and exclusive perks.
These startups aren’t just pitching ideas; they’re building solutions for a more sustainable future.
Stay tuned—judges will be announced soon!
Submit to pitch by clicking here (deadline: 10/15).
Meet the Judges:
Abigail Menendez - Climate Technology Strategist, City of Boston
Cvic Innocent - Founder & GP, Frankenbuild Ventures
Mark Tomasovic - Principal, Energize Capital
Prizes:
1st Place:
$4,500 Cash Prize
$10,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
Free provisional patent application from SenseIP
1-year Unlimited Membership to Workbar
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers).
2nd Place:
$1,500 Cash Prize
$5,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
Free provisional patent application from SenseIP
6-month Unlimited Membership to Workbar
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers).
3rd Place:
$750 Cash Prize
$3,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
Free provisional patent application from SenseIP
6-month Unlimited Membership to Workbar
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers).
Who’s Pitching?
Founders must meet the following criteria:
Company must be incorporated and headquartered within Boston proper (home office or office)
Must have a separate business bank account.
Product must include a software or hardware component.
Why Attend?
See some of Boston’s most promising climatetech startups pitch live.
Celebrate and support underrepresented founders innovating in one of the city’s fastest-growing sectors.
Build connections with founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders shaping the future of climate innovation in Boston.
This is more than a pitch competition - it’s a chance to elevate voices that represent the true diversity and strength of Boston’s startup community while accelerating solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Who qualifies as an underrepresented founder for this competition?
Women founders
Black, Latine, Indigenous and other founders of color
Immigrant founders
LGBTQ+ founders
Founders with disabilities
Veteran founders
Other founders who have faced systemic barriers in accessing capital and resources
A huge thank you to the supporters of this event with City of Boston and Startup Boston:
Accountalent
Workbar
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
HubSpot for Startups
SenseIP
Interested in contributing to the prize pot (monetary or in services)? Email hello (at) startupbos (dot) org