MassTLC Announces Manufacturing Initiative to Help Robotics Start-Ups and Scale-Ups Commercialize

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Jun 2, 2016) - The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC) has teamed with MassRobotics, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), and MassDevelopment to launch a new manufacturing program to help connect robotics start-ups with Massachusetts-based manufacturers. The MassTLC Robotics Cluster has been convening for over 10 years, bringing together the robotics community to collaborate, network, and learn about opportunities.

MassRobotics is a non-profit whose mission is to help grow the next generation of robotics and smart connected device companies by providing entrepreneurs and innovators with the space and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, challenge, and nurture early ideas. MassMEP, a collaborative center comprised of government, business, and academic partners, is dedicated to providing Massachusetts manufacturers with the resources they need to succeed in today's advanced manufacturing environment. These three organizations will be working together to help connect robotics and IoT start-up and scaling companies with Massachusetts-based manufacturers through network expansions, relationship building and educational workshops.

Thanks to a grant under the Advanced Manufacturing Futures fund from MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency, this program will help turn great ideas into great products made in Massachusetts.

Start-ups and manufacturers often have difficulty accessing each other's networks and, once engaged, have different expectations of outcomes. Many start-ups have limited experience and expertise working with manufacturers. And many manufacturers have limited experience dealing with start-ups. There is a strong need to connect start-ups and scaling companies to manufacturers, to help them figure out how to work more collaboratively -- moving from developing a single prototype to full commercialization of a product through long-term relationships. In addition there are many new robotics technologies being developed in Massachusetts that can dramatically impact manufacturing operations.

MassTLC, MassRobotics and MassMEP will be working together to deliver this program. The goal of this partnership is to help start-ups achieve their potential, manufacturers to increase their access/exposure to the latest technological trends, and the Commonwealth to grow its manufacturing sector. And it will serve as a resource for MassTLC companies and MassRobotics residents to utilize and help them grow their companies.

About The Mass Technology Leadership Council, Inc.
With 500+ member companies, the Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC) is the region's leading technology association and the premier network for tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors and policy leaders. MassTLC's purpose is to accelerate innovation by connecting people from across the technology landscape, providing access to industry-leading content and ideas and offering a platform for visibility for member companies and their interests. More at www.masstlc.org