Ecosystem Resources Available to Startups

Ms. Joan Popolo serves as Executive Director of ACTION Innovation Network, a New England-

based network of technology business incubators and other entrepreneur support organizations, focused on the sectors of cleantech, life science, robotics, marine/maritime, advanced materials and aerospace. The organization hosts programs for international growth-stage companies as they explore US market entry opportunities in the Northeast. Ms. Popolo has also worked with the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge and Northeast Cleantech Open accelerator programs in supporting early-stage ventures. Joan began her career as a research scientist in the Agricultural Biotechology Group at BioTechnica International, working to increase disease resistance and nutritional qualities of crop plants. She holds a B.S in Plant Science and Horticulture from Cornell University, and an M.S in Plant Science from Michigan State University.