Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics Partner to Launch AI and Robotics Accelerator in Boston

July 13, 2021, Palo Alto, CA – The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, announces partnerships with NASA Ames Research Center and MassRobotics for the upcoming Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator program in Boston. Founders working on aerospace/space, robotics, AI, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, voice, drones and related technologies can apply to the program here.

The Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator Program, which runs in parallel with the Boston Founder Institute program, aims to help ambitious entrepreneurs build world-changing technology companies by providing:

  • Connections to select NASA Ames software and technologies for licensing opportunities

  • Mentorship opportunities with Founder Institute, MassRobotics and NASA Ames technology subject experts as appropriate

  • Several “Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator Program Fellowships” awarded to Top Program Applicants, allowing them to participate in the program for free.

  • Lifetime of startup support and resources from the Founder Institute’s Global Accelerator Program.

  • Local and global support network of entrepreneurs, investors and advisors.

  • More than $2M in partner deals and resources.

The goal of the partnership with NASA Ames Research Center is to help startup founders connect with its software and technologies, while providing a robust global network of startup resources from Founder Institute and MassRobotics.

MassRobotics brings deep expertise and extensive support network in the robotics industry to collaborate with early-stage startups in this space.

“In the past year or so, everyone has experienced first hand how fragile our world is and how normal can change in the blink of an eye, so that’s why it is so important that founders focus on impact driven ventures” said Ignacio Castro, Managing Director of the Boston Founder Institute. “Our partnership with NASA and MassRobotics symbolizes our continued support of founders who are building advanced technologies that can positively impact humanity as we desperately need it.”

To celebrate this new program, the Founder Institute Boston will host several free events in the coming weeks, beginning with:

  • How to Raise Capital for your AI and Robotics Startup in Boston (Online Event) on 2021-07-14, 06:30 PM: https://fi.co/e/247760

  • Meet the Alumni of the Founder Institute Boston (Open Zoom Meeting) on 2021-08-18, 06:30 PM: https://fi.co/e/255890

  • How to Start an AI and Robotics Startup in Boston (Online Event) on 2021-09-01, 06:30 PM: https://fi.co/e/247751

The Founder Institute was created in 2009, and to date, has helped build more than 5,000 companies through its pre-seed startup accelerator program. Several AI & robotics companies have already been through the program including: Ceres Robotics (https://www.ceresrobotics.com), which is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program; Atomos (https://www.atomosspace.com), an award-winning company developing in-space transportation services; Endiatx (http://endiatx.com), which is developing a pill robot capable of traversing GI Tract in 30 minutes; and many more.

“There is no shortage of problems facing humanity, but there is a shortage of ambitious entrepreneurs trying to solve them,” says Adeo Ressi, CEO of the Founder Institute. “The goal of this partnership with NASA and MassRobotics is to empower the brave entrepreneurs trying to change the world.”

“NASA has had a long history of finding new, innovative uses for its space and aeronautics technologies,” says Kimberly Minafra, Software Release Authority, Technology Transfer program, NASA Ames Research Center. “We look forward to helping connect NASA technology to startups that can effectively commercialize the technology for the betterment of life on Earth.”

“This is a unique partnership with a global early stage acceleration program like the Founder Institute and a global powerhouse of space innovation. We are excited to share our network and expertise in the robotics, AI and IoT spaces to create a better world for generations to come” added Fady Saad, MassRobotics Co-Founder and VP of Strategic Partnerships.

Supporting partners of the Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator Program include:

Early-stage entrepreneurs interested in building AI & Robotics startups in Boston are encouraged to apply at http://fi.co/join/AIRobotics. The final deadline for applications is September 12, and the program will run from September 21, 2021 to January 26, 2022.