麻州政府「創業先修班」春季名單揭曉 Emily Wan的Aruspex等16家企業入選

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州經濟發展辦公室（Executive Office of Economic Development）和「麻州創投（MassVentures ）」4月23日宣佈，共有 16 個項目獲選加入2026 年春季「創業先修班（Founders School）」，種類包含生命科學、氣候科技、先進材料、國防、農業科技及人工智慧（AI），十分多元。

麻州經濟發展廳廳長 Eric Paley 表示，麻州擁有全球頂尖的研究實力與人才，「創業先修班（Founders School）」是一個協助深科技（Deep Tech）創業者為創辦企業做好準備，加快科研構想轉化為企業產品的孵化加速器。

「創業先修班（Founders School）」 2024 年啟動迄今，3年來已支持共 38 個創業項目，累計籌集資金超過 1,800 萬美元， Techstars、麻州生命科學中心（MLSC）及 SBIR/STTR 等頂尖機構都認可與資助。

MassVentures 總裁兼執行長 Charlie Hipwood 指出，跨入第三屆意味著 「創業先修班（Founders School）」  社群已正式成形，將致力於提供導師資源與網絡，協助領導者在麻州境內加速成長。

「創業先修班（Founders School）」採用「活教材」模式，根據每屆學員的需求即時調整課程。計畫包含結構化工作坊、專家會議及里程碑審核。入選者在核心內容階段每週或每兩週交流一次，隨後接受為期九個月的持續輔導與顧問支持。

麻州首個深科技協作體 venx 為自創立以來的關鍵夥伴，負責塑造課程、招募導師並鏈接風險投資生態系統。venx 董事總經理 John Ho 強調，該計畫為開發顛覆性技術的創業者提供了實質的前行路徑。

2026 年春季班成員極為多元，不但 63% 創業者為女性，創業團隊座落地點也遠遠不只傳統的波士頓與劍橋創新走廊，甚至匹茨菲爾德（Pittsfield）、斯托頓（Stoughton）及韋克菲爾德（Wakefield）等地都有。

 

2026 年春季班入選名單與項目簡介

創業者	企業名稱	項目重點	地點
Aishwarya Kothari	Prithvion	透過超在地預測與農藝見解預測作物疾病	Somerville（尚莫維爾）
Carolina Aguila	NanoInGreen	將天然成分轉化為高吸收奈米粒子	Tulsa, Oklahoma（奧克拉荷馬州圖爾薩）
Carolyn Lee Parsons	Periwinkle Pharm	開發用於生產關鍵化療藥物的植物系統	Boston（波士頓）
Catherine Katambo	VocaSafe Watch	具備 AAC 輔助溝通與安全功能的穿戴式手錶	Somerville（尚莫維爾）
Dawn Thompson	Auracee	推進子宮切除術康復的女性健康解決方案	Pittsfield（皮茨菲爾德）
Emily Wan	Aruspex	用於國防與航太的零知識 AI 驗證	Chestnut Hill（栗樹山）
Farag Ammed	ParaGlow AI	透過 AI 驅動識別以減少手術併發症	Boston（波士頓）
JC Arce	Tidefield	利用海藻減少牛隻的甲烷排放	Stoughton（斯托頓）
Jocelyn Foulke	LiPhera	規模化鋰萃取技術	Dorchester（多徹斯特）
Kimberly Panik	Amphyra Technologies	水下環境的即時生理監測	Boston（波士頓）
Lesley-Ann Gibbons	Symbiota	挖掘極端微生物共生技術以強化食品維生素	Northampton（北安普敦）
Patrick Thayer	Aster Biofabrication	動物模型替代方案的生物製造基礎設施	Hudson（哈德遜）
Pavana Rotti	Nervoid	用於檢測細胞信號變化的 AI 視覺平台	Cambridge（劍橋）
Pranay Srivastava	Neurapsyc	家用神經康復穿戴式裝置	Wakefield（韋克菲爾德）
Tosin Joel	Toluai	專注於能源負載預測與氣候風險建模的 AI 決策平台	Cambridge（劍橋）
William Cronin	North Shore Therapeutics	針對嚴重精神疾病的 AR 數位療法	Dallas, TX（德州達拉斯）

MassVentures Announces the Third Cohort of Founders School

Sixteen Founders Selected from a Competitive Applicant Pool Spanning AI, Life Sciences, Climatetech, Advanced Materials, and Defense

BOSTON — Today, the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassVentures announced that 16 fellows will join the Spring 2026 cohort of Founders School, a founder-centered pre-accelerator built for deep tech venture readiness. The cohort reflects the breadth of Massachusetts' innovation economy, with strong representation across life sciences, climatetech, advanced materials, defense, agtech, and AI. 

“Massachusetts is home to some of the strongest research and talent in the world, but turning that into a company takes the right support at the right time,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Founders School helps close that gap, giving entrepreneurs the tools and connections they need to build and scale here in Massachusetts.” 

Since launching in 2024, Founders School has supported three cohorts totaling 38 founders. Founders School alumni have collectively raised more than $18 million in capital to date and have been accepted into, recognized by, and awarded grants from leading institutions, including Techstars, Antler, MassCEC, NSF I-Corps, Greentown Labs, the Harvard Innovation Labs, Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and SBIR/STTR. 

"This third cohort marks a meaningful milestone — the emergence of a true Founders School community," said MassVentures President and CEO Charlie Hipwood. "We are committed to equipping these leaders with the mentorship, resources, and networks they need to accelerate their growth and scale their businesses here in the Commonwealth." 

Founders School operates as a living curriculum that adapts in real time to the needs, questions, and ambitions of each cohort. The program combines structured workshops, expert sessions, and milestone checkpoints. Founders engage in weekly and biweekly touchpoints during the core content phase, followed by nine months of ongoing coaching and advisory support. 

A key partner since inception has been ven^x, Massachusetts' first deep tech collaborative, whose network of operators, investors, and domain experts has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum, sourcing mentors, and connecting founders with the broader venture ecosystem. 

"We have a responsibility to make sure the founders building disruptive technologies have a real pathway forward,” said ven^x Managing Director John Ho. “Founders School is exactly that kind of force multiplier. The diversity of businesses in this cohort, from climatetech to AI to life sciences and beyond, reflects what's possible when you open the door wider across the entire ecosystem." 

The Spring 2026 cohort comprises 16 founders, with 63 percent identifying as women. Founders School extends beyond the traditional Boston and Cambridge innovation corridor, reaching founders in communities like Pittsfield, Stoughton, Hudson, and Wakefield and ensuring high-potential entrepreneurs are identified and supported regardless of geography. 

Fellows include: 

· Aishwarya Kothari, Prithvion — Somerville 
Predicts crop diseases through hyperlocal forecasts and agronomic insights.  

· Carolina Aguila, NanoInGreen — Tulsa, Oklahoma 
Transforms natural ingredients into high-absorption nanoparticles. Exploring a Massachusetts presence.  

· Carolyn Lee Parsons, Periwinkle Pharm — Boston 
Developing plant systems to produce key chemotherapeutic drugs.  

· Catherine Katambo, VocaSafe Watch — Somerville 
Wearable AAC smartwatch supporting communication and safety.  

· Dawn Thompson, Auracee — Pittsfield 
Advancing women’s health solutions for hysterectomy recovery.  

· Emily Wan, Aruspex — Chestnut Hill 
Provides zero-knowledge AI verification for defense and aerospace.  

· Farag Ammed, ParaGlow AI — Boston 
Reducing surgical complications through AI-driven identification.  

· JC Arce, Tidefield — Stoughton 
Reduces cattle methane emissions using algae.  

· Jocelyn Foulke, LiPhera — Dorchester 
Scaling lithium extraction technologies.  

Kimberly Panik, Amphyra Technologies — Boston 
Real-time physiological monitoring in aquatic environments.  

· Lesley-Ann Gibbons, Symbiota — Northampton 
Symbiota mines extremophile symbioses in order to transform standard dairy and plant-based products into functionally vitamin-fortified foods.

· Patrick Thayer, Aster Biofabrication — Hudson 
Infrastructure for biofabrication of animal model alternatives.  

· Pavana Rotti, Nervoid — Cambridge 
AI vision platform for detecting cell signaling changes.  

· Pranay Srivastava, Neurapsyc — Wakefield 
Home-based neurorehabilitation wearable. 
 

· Tosin Joel, Toluai — Cambridge 
Toluai is an AI-native decision intelligence platform focused on energy load forecasting and climate risk modeling.

· William Cronin, North Shore Therapeutics — Dallas, TX 
North Shore Therapeutics develops immersive, AR-based digital therapeutics for individuals with serious mental illness. The company is exploring relocation to Massachusetts to access the Commonwealth's world-class life sciences ecosystem.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Denounces President Trump’s Racist Remarks

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Denounces President Trump’s Racist Remarks 

President Trump’s repost of vile anti-immigrant and anti-Asian content reveals the racist motivations of attacks on birthright citizenship 

 

WASHINGTON – No matter where we come from or what we look like, we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Early this morning, President Trump reposted a rant from a far-right radio host that described immigrants from India and China as “gangsters with laptops” and calling India, China, and other nations “hellhole[s]” while attacking arguments defending the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship.  

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC issues the following statement in response: 

“It is a disgrace that the President of the United States, who is sworn to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, would repost a statement that is not only hateful and promotes racism, but also explicitly denies the Constitution’s clear language. The principles of birthright citizenship are explicitly laid out in the 14th Amendment. This repost is just more evidence that the President’s attacks on birthright citizenship are motivated by white nationalist ideology and not on the clear letter of the law. 

 

“In addition, the President’s reposting of inflammatory and hateful language about our families and loved ones is deeply painful for Asian American communities. Over the last few years, we have had to hear President Trump repeat lies and slander about Asian American lawmakers, community leaders, and everyday people in a way that has a tangible effect on our well-being. This harmful rhetoric feeds into and exacerbates the false stereotype of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners and comes at a time when anti-Asian hate crimes remain alarmingly elevated from pre-pandemic levels. 

 

“We urge President Trump to apologize, denounce the commenter he reposted, and withdraw the Executive Order attacking birthright citizenship. Asian American immigrants, like the many immigrants who make up the fabric of this nation, are here to stay and thrive. We make America what it is.” 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $12.8 Million for Housing, Economic Opportunity and Development

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $12.8 Million for Housing, Economic Opportunity and Development  

Tax credits will provide flexible funding to 52 community-based organizations advancing housing, neighborhood investment and economic mobility 

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today announced $12.8 million in Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC) to 52 Community Development Corporations and Support Organizations across Massachusetts. These awards will support local nonprofit organizations as they advance affordable housing development and preservation, strengthen neighborhood-based programs, and expand economic opportunity in communities across the state. 

The CITC program provides a 50 percent refundable state tax credit that incentives donors to contribute funds to Community Development Corporations and support organizations. Since its creation in 2012, the program has been an important source of flexible funding for community-based organizations supporting affordable housing development and preservation, community planning, economic development, homeownership assistance, financial education, foreclosure prevention and workforce development. The Affordable Homes Act, signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in 2024, expanded the program and established a permanent funding source for CITC. 

“We are focused on building more housing and lowering costs across Massachusetts. Communities know best what they need to grow and succeed, and the CITC program gives them the resources they need to deliver,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These investments will help build more housing, support small businesses and strengthen neighborhoods across Massachusetts. We’re proud to partner with all 52 communities receiving awards to create opportunity and make our state more affordable.”  

“Community Development Corporations are trusted partners that bring people together to solve local challenges and create lasting opportunity,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These tax credits unlock private investment and give organizations the flexibility to expand housing, support families and grow local economies. This is how we make sure every region of Massachusetts has an opportunity to thrive.”  

“These awards are about trusting communities to lead and giving them the resources to get results,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana B. Matias. “Across Massachusetts, Community Development Corporations and support organizations are building housing, strengthening families and expanding opportunity block by block. CITC helps turn local vision into real progress, creating more homes, stronger neighborhoods and a brighter future for residents across our state.” 

The CITC program is designed to enable local residents and stakeholders to work with and through Community Development Corporations to partner with nonprofit, public and private entities to improve economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income households and other residents in urban, rural and suburban communities across the state. Community partners do this through Community Investment Plans that guide programs, policies and activities tailored to local needs. 

A full list of awardees is below. 

• African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE): $150,000 
• Allston Brighton CDC: $200,000 
• Amherst Community Land Trust: $375,000 
• Asian CDC: $160,000 
• Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust: $180,000 
• Chinatown Community Land Trust: $100,000 
• Coalition for a Better Acre: $75,000 
• Codman Square NDC: $225,000 
• Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire: $225,000 
• Community Development Partnership: $375,000 
• Community Teamwork, Inc.: $375,000 
• Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC): $300,000 
• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation: $250,000 
• Fenway Forward: $300,000 
• Franklin County CDC: $250,000 
• Groundwork Lawrence: $225,000 
• Harborlight Homes: $375,000 
• Hilltown CDC: $300,000 
• Homeowner’s Rehab Inc.: $125,000 
• Housing Assistance Corporation: $375,000 
• Housing Corporation of Arlington: $300,000 
• Housing Nantucket: $375,000 
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA): $300,000 
• Island Housing Trust: $375,000 
• Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation: $75,000 
• Just A Start: $375,000 
• Latino Support Network: $100,000 
• Lawrence Community Works: $375,000 
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation: $300,000 
• Madison Park Development Corporation: $200,000 
• Main South CDC: $100,000 
• Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC): $120,000 
• Nectar Community Investments: $375,000 
• Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH): $150,000 
• NeighborWorks Housing Solutions: $375,000 
• NewVue Communities: $375,000 
• North Shore CDC: $275,000 
• Nuestra Comunidad: $150,000 
• OneHolyoke CDC: $150,000 
• Somerville Community Corporation: $200,000 
• South Boston NDC: $50,000 
• South Middlesex Opportunity Council: $375,000 
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Massachusetts: $150,000 
• The Neighborhood Developers: $375,000 
• Urban Edge: $375,000 
• Valley Community Development: $200,000 
• WATCH CDC: $375,000 
• Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE): $100,000 
• Way Finders: $250,000 
• Wellspring Cooperative: $375,000 
• Worcester Common Ground: $75,000 
• Worcester Community Housing Resources Inc.: $100,000 

 The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC), created by Governor Healey in 2023, is working to create more homes and lowering costs across Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made lowering costs and expanding housing a top priority, advancing the most significant housing investment in state history through the Affordable Homes Act. 

The administration has released A Home for Everyone, the state’s first comprehensive housing plan, launched the Momentum Fund and the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative, expanded opportunities for accessory dwelling units, strengthened tools for Seasonal Communities and accelerated implementation of multi-family zoning for MBTA Communities.