MassChallenge is a global, no-equity accelerator program open to early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries, with applications due by March 28, 2017. The program emphasizes impact over equity, offering over $2 million in cash awards and features a multi-round judging process with feedback for all applicants. Key tips for applicants include concise communication, demonstrating progress, and focusing on high-impact questions.

1. BOSTON | ISRAEL | MEXICO | SWITZERLAND | UK
HOW TO BE A STANDOUT
MASSCHALLENGE
APPLICANT
Applications due March 28, 2017!

2. Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2
WE BELIEVE
ENTREPRENEURS CAN
CHANGE THE WORLD

3. Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3
IMPACT OVER EQUITY
MASSCHALLENGE SUPPORT
AND FUNDING COMES WITH
NO EQUITY TAKEN
• No-equity, not-for-profit
• Impact across all
industries
• 100% focus on helping
entrepreneurs win
• $2M+ total cash awards

4. WHO CAN APPLY?
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4
• Open to all
• Anywhere in the world
• Any industry
• Early stage
• At least one founder
engages in the program

5. TIMELINE: CYCLE 1
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5
Boston | Israel | Switzerland
JUDGING
APRIL - MAY
APPLICATIONS
MARCH 1 EARLY BIRD
MARCH 28 REGULAR
Round 1: Short online application
Round 2: In-person pitch
Written feedback & scoring for all applicants in
both judging rounds.
ACCELERATOR
JUNE - OCTOBER

6. WHO ARE THE JUDGES
• ENTREPRENEURS
• EXECUTIVES
• INVESTORS
• LAWYERS
• SERVICE PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6
MassChallenge Judges overlap with the mentor pool and represent
many industries and perspectives.

7. JUDGING CRITERIA
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HIGH IMPACT
WHY DOES YOUR STARTUP MATTER?
The judges make an overall recommendation, seeking startup with a
high potential to make an impact.
HIGH POTENTIAL
WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES?

8. IMPACT ON A SPECTRUM
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Impact is up to the entrepreneurs to define. Often, impact isn’t black
and white.
IMPACT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
• Revenue
• Funding
• Jobs
• Market Creation
• Industry Disruption
SOCIAL IMPACT
• Solutions
• Behavioral Change
• Education/Research
• Skill Transfer
• People Helped

9. TIP #1: CHARACTER LIMITS
• SHORTHAND & BULLETS
• STRATEGIC REPETITION
• STARTUP PROFILE
• SIMPLE CITATIONS
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9
The 250 & 500 character limits are tricky – many entrepreneurs
struggle to fit their answers.

10. TIP #2: BAD & LESS BAD ANSWERS
• SHOW PROGRESS
TO DATE
• DEMONSTRATE
NEXT STEPS
• PROVE ABILITY TO
SOLVE PROBLEMS
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10
No application is perfect. Great applications are honest and have a
realistic view of the future.

11. TIP #3: COMPLICATED TECHNOLOGY
• FEEDBACK FROM
LAYPERSON
• FEEDBACK FROM
PEERS
• SHOW KEY PROOF
• LEVERAGE
STARTUP PROFILE
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11
Many of the startups have complicated products that will be difficult
to describe within the character limits

12. TIP #4: HIGHEST-IMPACT QUESTIONS
1. Customer Pain &
Solution
2. Overall Impact
3. Customer Needs
& Acquisition
4. Industry &
Competitors
5. Business Model
6. Regulation & IP
7. Founding Team,
Advisors &
Investors
8. MassChallenge
Copyright © 2017 MassChallenge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12
The application is essentially an executive summary. Start with the
three first questions.

13. THANK YOU