Prior to applying, please confirm that you can attend all three (3) in-person events, in orange letters. By entering The Eddies Competition, applicants agree to respect and abide by all guiding principles of the program, listed below:  

 

1. All Applications/Entries pertain to a product/technology or service owned or represented by the applicant, and the applicant has the right (from their company) to submit the entry (otherwise, the application will be disqualified).

2. Applications from Communications or PR firms are NOT accepted; if a startup wishes to be considered for the competition, they should designate an employee to apply. This person will also be the contact point for the MassInnovation team.

3. Massachusetts Innovation Network retains the right to use photos and information of Applications and Entries for publicity and promotion purposes.

4. Adherence to the competition timing is required to ensure the review and judgment of an Application/Entry. 

5. The Applicants/Finalists are responsible for observing and respecting competition timing and deadlines.

6. To ensure emails from the MassInnoV Team do NOT end up in spam folders, Applicant are advised to add our email address to their contacts.

7. To be eligible for the Winner Cash Awards, Applicants must confirm that their startup is based in Massachusetts. 

8. For an Application to be complete, two components are needed:

   1. the online Application Form accompanied by Application Fee Payment, and

   2. the Pitchdecks /or videos for the Judges Review, submitted here.

9. Eligible Applications/Entries will be judged against other Entries within their Selected Track.

10. The Office Team and/or Judges reserve the right to move an Application/Entry to a different Track if they see fit. In such a case, the Applicant will be notified by email.

11. Judges’ Scoring and Voting Decisions are final and not subject to discussion or questions.

12. The MassInnoV team reserves the right to “remove” a Track from the competition if it receives fewer than four (4) applicant entries.

13. Selected Finalists need to respond to the email notifying them of their selection, by email, no later than Friday, May 23, 2025, 5:00 pm EST in order to proceed to the last round of competition; failure to respond on time will result in their disqualification, and selection of an alternate Finalist.

14. All startups voted to proceed to the final and live phase of the competition, will need to attend the Finalist Networking & Informational Event on Thursday, May 29th, from 4 to 7 pm at the Northeastern Innovation Campus, Building V in Burlington, MA. This is an in-person event; please check that you can attend before applying.

15. All Finalists are required to demonstrate their Innovation and deliver a Final, Live Presentation Pitch to Judges and members of the Innovation Ecosystem, at the final Judging round of the competition: The Eddies Innovation Showcase on Wednesday, October 15th at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP in Boston, MA. This is an in-person event; please check that you can attend before applying.

16. The Innovation Showcase is an almost whole-day event; table set-up is to be announced closer to the event, and guests arrive at 4:00 pm. Finalists are encouraged to block the day off their calendars early on, to ensure their appropriate representation at the event. Inability to participate at the Showcase will result in disqualification from the competition.

17. Applicants and Finalists are expected to conduct themselves with courtesy and professionalism at all times; unkind and unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated and may lead to disqualification from the competition.

18. Decisions on the manner and details in which the competition is conducted are strictly within the discretion of the Massachusetts Innovation Network Team.

19. Transportation costs to and from the Innovation Program meetings (Information, Showcase, and Award Ceremony) are the responsibility of the Applicants/Entrants.

20. Awards will be bestowed upon all Finalists, in recognition of them making it to the finals of the competition, and to each of the Category Winners.

21. Winner Announcements and Cash Awards presentations will take place during The Eddies Evening of Innovation & Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at the Northeastern Innovation Campus, Building V in Burlington, MA. ALL Winners are notified DURING the event, NOT before.

22. Awards are not transferable and must be accepted as awarded, in-person, during the Evening of Innovation/The Eddies Ceremony on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025.    

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