THE EDDIES
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The 2023 application season is now closed.
Thank you to all the startups who have applied to the program.
1986-2023: 38 years of Recognizing, Nurturing & Fueling Innovation
Robert J. Crowley
Robert J. Crowley's brain child, the New England Innovation Award competition was first launched in 1986, and since then, over 3,000 startups have been supported to succeed and scale. Some notable alumni include Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Staples, Genzyme, MassChallenge, Carbonite, KRONOS, ZipCar, iRobot, zipcar, Keurig and Vistaprint. Today, 37 years later, the program is a 7-month innovation-support system based on Individualized Mentoring, Strategic Guidance, Leadership Education, and Connections to Resources; its objective is to help early-stage startups (pre-Series C) take the next steps in their commercialization journey. In 2021, the program was rebranded as The Eddies.
What "The Eddies" Name Represents
The Eddies name represents a nod to Thomas Edison, and his prolific work (and 1,093 innovation patents!) in a variety of industries and sectors; and the circular movement of water, counter to a main current, causing a small whirlpool on the surface of the ocean (similar to the ripples caused to any market by the introduction of a ground-breaking product or technology).
Who Can Participate in the Program
The Eddies are open to New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), based startups (not exceeding 150 employees) with a working prototype of a ground-breaking product or technology.
Programming
The Eddies provide a high touch experience for innovative startups with the goal of fueling successful commercialization. The pillars of our programming are individualized mentorship which is tailor-made to the specific needs of each founder – a curated education based on the same needs, leadership development, access to reputable ecosystem connections and funding sources. Our curated education also includes weekly educational modules brought to the cohort by industry experts. Interested in learning about this year’s modules?
Application Details
The application fee is $50; there are no further costs associated with the program (including event attendance). The program is industry-agnostic, welcoming applications in the following Innovation Tracks:
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Cleantech, Greentech, Bluetech
Communication Technologies/Cybersecurity/Cyberprotection
Dual Technologies
Encryption Software
Healthy Living & Well-Being
Tech, Deeptech & AI
SMART: Cities Living, Buildings & Construction
Life Sciences (Biotech, Medical Devices, Pharma)
Minority-Owned
Robotics
Sustainability/Sustainable Living
2023 Program Timeline
03/01/2023
Applications & Nominations Open
03/02/2023
Open Information Session / Q&A - Zoom
03/16/2023
Open Information Session / Q&A - Zoom
03/24/2023
Nomination Submission Deadline
04/06/2023
Open Information Session / Q&A - Zoom
03/03 to 05/19/2023
Individualized Mentoring available to All Applicants
(first-apply, first-serve basis)
04/21/2023
Application Submission Deadline
04/26/2023
Judges Networking and Information Session for 2022 Season (In Person)
05/01 to 05/12/2023
Round 1 of Judging (Remotely, over 2-week Period)
05/12 to 05/15 2023
Assessment Sheets & Scores Due (E-mail or Google Drive)
06/01/2023
Finalists Networking and Guidance Session ;
Meet-N-Greet with Mentors
(In person)
06/05/2023
Mentoring Begins
10/27/2023
Mentoring Ends
10/04/2023
2023 Eddies Innovation Showcase;
Second Judging Round (in-person).
11/08/2023
2023 Evening of Innovation Gala;
Eddies Awards Night
