Partnering with MassRobotics to support the next generation of innovators

We’re really pleased to share that we’ve partnered with MassRobotics, the largest independent robotics innovation hub in the world, and a key part of the ecosystem driving robotics forward in the States.

Last month, while we were in Boston for the Robotics Summit, we were invited to visit their HQ in the Seaport District. Visiting for the first time in person and meeting some of the firms they’re working closely with gave us a proper sense of what they’re building – a community that’s genuinely helping robotics startups take root and grow, and one that supports the next generation of robotics talent.

Getting more young people into robotics

One of the biggest reasons we were so keen to work with MassRobotics is their work in STEM outreach. They’re not only doing incredible work to support the companies already building robots, they’re also creating pathways for young people to step into the robotics industry, and making sure those opportunities are accessible to everyone who wants them.

Over the past year more than 2,000 students have taken part in their programs. These are hands-on, technical, expert-led initiatives run by people who know exactly what it’s like to work in robotics.

Some of the programs we’re helping to support include:

• Jumpstart Fellowship – a paid summer program designed to help high school girls explore careers in robotics, supported by internships and technical training
• Drone and BlueTech Academies – multi-week sessions where students design, build, and test underwater and aerial robotic systems
• Field trips and outreach events – welcoming schools into the space for workshops, demonstrations, and talks from people working in the industry
• STEM and Computer Science Weeks – coordinating with local schools to get robotics into classrooms and curriculums

This kind of work takes a huge amount of coordination. We’re really proud to be contributing and to be helping students understand the routes into careers they might not have known existed. Their impact reports paint a detailed picture of how their efforts have supported the next generation of robotics experts.

Supporting the startups coming through their accelerator

MassRobotics also runs a startup accelerator program, which makes up a huge part of their offering. This supports early-stage robotics firms with non-dilutive funding and mentorship. It’s designed to help founders focus on building their product, while getting the guidance and backing to help them further their product.

“Having a knowledgeable recruiting firm like Cubiq interacting with our startups has allowed specialists in the field of robotics to find careers that help them find solutions and move the industry forward as a whole.”
— Russell Nickerson, Partnership Engagement at MassRobotics

Their current accelerator cohort is solving some genuinely exciting and impactful problems:

• Haystack Ag – low-cost soil carbon analysis for climate and agriculture
• LiftLabs – ropeless fishing gear to reduce whale entanglements and meet new marine regulations
• Mito Robotics – automating cell culture in labs using intelligent robotic systems
• Tatum Robotics – creating tactile ASL interfaces for the DeafBlind community
• Variable Machines – rethinking 3D printing for more flexible composite manufacturing

You can check out a full list of firms in their accelerator programme here. As part of our partnership we’ll be on hand to help these founders with hiring strategy and talent support as they grow.

Why this matters to us

In a field where talent is scarce, and one where the work genuinely impacts everything from healthcare to agriculture to manufacturing, we think it’s important that we do more than just react to hiring requirements. We’re aiming to be embedded at all angles, and providing support to the industry beyond filling roles.

Partnering with MassRobotics gives us a chance to actively support the growth of the sector from both ends: helping create a strong pipeline of new companies building in robotics, and making sure that future talent is being engaged and supported right from the get-go.

If you’re part of the MassRobotics community, or want to further explore how we’re supporting, contact us.