CIC Massachusetts is proud to open a Social Impact Cohort which will provide unique programming that supports small organizations led by historically underserved entrepreneurs—including BIPOC, female-identifying, and veteran-led businesses from socially and economically disadvantaged groups based in Massachusetts.
CIC Massachusetts’ Social Impact Cohort is a small group of intentionally chosen entrepreneurs based in Massachusetts. As part of the cohort, you’ll be a member of CIC, which means you’re joining a global network of entrepreneurs and innovators.
CIC manages two distinct programs for different stages of entrepreneur growth: a 3-month, early stage cohort, and a 6-month, growth stage cohort.
Our ideal candidates are early-stage founders who may meet one or more of the following criteria:
Building their MVPs (minimum viable products)
Seeking a cofounder
Pre-revenue
Do not yet have a product in market
Candidates should have businesses based in Massachusetts, and identify as one or more of the following: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color), female, or veteran entrepreneurs coming from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
When
Applications will open next Summer for the subsequent year’s cohort.
The cohort will run from September – December
Growth Stage Cohort
Who
Our ideal candidates are small growth-stage businesses, companies, or organizations who may meet one or more of the following criteria:
Are in approximately pre-seed – Series A
Are actively fundraising or about to pursue funding opportunities
Are currently scaling their operations – including but not limited to expanding to new markets, preparing to hire, etc.
Have a product in-market
Candidates should have businesses based in Massachusetts. Founders should identify as one or more of the following: BIPOC (Black Indigenous, or Person of Color), female, or veteran entrepreneurs coming from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
When
Applications will open next Fall for the subsequent year’s cohort.
The cohort will run from January – June.
FAQ
Candidates should have businesses based in Massachusetts. Founders should identify as one or more of the following: BIPOC, female, or veteran entrepreneurs, coming from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Our early-stage cohort will cater to candidates who are still launching their startups, including those that are building their MVPs, seeking a cofounder, are pre-revenue, and/or do not yet have a product in market.
Our growth-stage cohort will cater to small businesses in their growth stages (approximately seed – Series A) who are actively fundraising and scaling their operations.
We welcome startups in all industries to apply. We are particularly excited about companies in AI, robotics, life science, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, digital health, pharmaceuticals, defense, sustainability, climate tech, food tech, and fintech, but encourage any company, regardless of industry, to submit an application. Both for-profits and non-profits are eligible, though this program is best suited for scalable and innovative businesses rather than brick and mortar or consulting businesses.
Each established startup can have up to two representatives during the program. We would recommend that founders/CEOs and any decision makers plan to participate.
Yes! Participants will receive complimentary coworking access for the duration of the program, as well as for 3 months following their completion of the program.
In addition to curated networking events to allow participants to meet experts in their industry, build relationships with investors, and develop peer relationships, participants will also gain access to CIC’s global network of over 1,000+ entrepreneurs worldwide.
We will endeavor to make as much programming available both virtually and in-person as possible. Most lectures and mentoring sessions will be available virtually. However, some events can only be attended in-person, and we will make sure to give you notice when these are scheduled.
Expanded network of potential mentors, investors, and business contacts
Increased skills and knowledge to support your startup’s growth
Improved pitch and presentation deck
Strong community of peer support
Professional headshots
Access to CIC’s coworking space and global community
Opportunity to be awarded a small stipend at the final pitch event
Please email socialimpact-ma@cic.com to share more details about the services you’d like to offer.
Learn more about our social impact program alumni here.
CIC does not invest or take equity as part of this program.
Rajiv Shrestha, president Maya Gurung, Chief OperatinG Office
Tell us about your organization.
Dox Health, Inc. has developed a revolutionary consumer digital health platform, QPER Health, that will solve the problem of adherence to lifestyle change as medicine and democratize and transform self-healthcare.
The platform weaves together an iOS app, a dynamic web app, and connected medical/health devices with proprietary Health Map, Digital Twin, and Health Age features. It helps users reverse, prevent, and/or manage diabetes, hypertension, and obesity with healthy lifestyle change.
The predictive health maps make the health outcome tangible at the outset. Competing with user’s idealized self, the digital twin, gamifies the health journey making it fun and relatable.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
We are excited about the opportunity to connect with peers, leverage the resources at CIC, and contribute to the community through the program activities.
AIKreate is an AI literacy platform that combines interactive lessons with real-world AI applications to equip students with essential skills in AI, creativity, problem solving, and ethical decision making.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
We aim to identify opportunities to secure funding and build partnerships that support sustainable growth. Additionally, we look forward to leveraging mentorship and resources from the cohort to refine our approach, scale our impact, and drive meaningful change in education worldwide.
Tell us about your organization. Ashmi Health is an AI-powered health and nutrition platform dedicated to empowering women with hormonal disorders like PCOS, PMS, and endometriosis. By leveraging data-driven insights from hormonal biomarkers, lifestyle factors, and nutrition, Ashmi delivers personalized nutrition recommendations to help women manage their health proactively. Our mission is to make hormonal health accessible, reducing guesswork and providing real-time support through empathetic, science-backed solutions.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
Through this program, we aim to refine our go-to-market strategy, build strong relationships with mentors and investors, and accelerate the development of Ashmi Health’s AI-powered platform.
Tell us about your organization. Purposely Social helps busy parents overcome stress and isolation by simplifying social planning. Our solution integrates effortlessly into users’ existing behaviors, using personal calendars and location as a way to quickly coordinate low key meet-ups. By making it easy to build deeper relationships in real life, we’ll reduce risks of depression, anxiety, diabetes, and early death by up to 50%, while saving billions in healthcare costs, and lost productivity.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
I believe that within community lies wisdom, empathy, support, challenges and the ability to work together towards a greater good.
Tactus has developed a wearable technology that translates music into vibrations for the Deaf community. By seamlessly integrating advanced signal processing and conductive materials into comfortable garments, we provide a unique and inclusive way for Deaf individuals to experience and connect with music. Our mission is to bridge the gap between Deaf and hearing communities, enhancing accessibility and connection through the universal language of music.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
Through the program, we hope to gain invaluable mentorship and strategic guidance to refine our go to market strategy and accelerate our path to market. This program offers a unique an opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and access a network of experts who can help us scale our impact. We hope to continue expanding the reach of our technology and ensure it continues to be meaningful and inclusive.
Solecit is the only digital styling solution that sustainably assists aspiring fashion-conscious individuals in maximizing their existing wardrobe. By seamlessly integrating new and potential purchases with items already in their closet, we allow them to visualize their enhanced personal style with effortlessly curated outfits they can wear in real life.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
Continue to build my network and learn from the vast amount of expertise housed at CIC, which will allow me to grow as an entrepreneur and translate those lessons into success for my business. I also hope to leave behind an inspirational tale of perseverance and trail-blaze a path for young BIPOC men to succeed as an entrepreneurs in the realm of technology.
LymeAlert is the first home tick testing kit for Lyme disease. It tests the tick at the time of exposure, allowing people and pets to receive faster treatment if needed. Our paired app reads the results providing clear guidance on results and next steps.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
We are looking to connect with other social innovators and mentors who are building a community of people dedicated to building businesses that do good in the world.
Project Insulin is a non-profit organization developing a biosimilar insulin that will be distributed to patients at cost through our mail-order pharmacy. We will provide broad insulin access to people with diabetes who are insulin-dependent, regardless of if they have insurance.
Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to affordable insulin regardless of insurance status.
What do you hope to get out of this program? Project Insulin is at a stage where we need to grow. Growth comes in many forms but we’re hoping to hire more employees, elevate our branding, and tighten up our business plan and presentation.
Owle AI is a real time remote patient monitoring platform that uses multimodal AI to identify patients at higher risk for adverse events in a non intrusive way.
What do you hope to get out of this program?
We are hoping to build a network of mentors, advisors, and get introductions to investors who are particularly passionate about investing in companies with huge social impact and founded by women/diverse founders.
Thank you to our partners
Applications for our Social Impact Program are currently closed.
To learn more about future openings or to get involved with the Social Impact Program, fill out the form below.
This webpage was prepared by CIC using Federal funds under award MB23OBD0340313 from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
