United States

Boston

#5

Global Startup Ecosystem

#5

Global Ecosystem in Talent & Experience

Top 10

Global Ecosystem in Funding

Top 10

Global Ecosystem in Performance
Boston’s startup ecosystem is rooted in academic excellence and cutting-edge research, driven by a tight-knit network of founders, investors, and institutions pioneering breakthroughs in Life Sciences, AI, and Fintech.

Highlights

Boston's entrepreneurial landscape thrives with the support of 56 accelerators and incubators such as MassChallenge, Techstars Boston, and Greentown Labs, offering startups vital resources, mentorship, and access to funding opportunities. 

In April 2025, the Founder Institute Boston introduced a virtual accelerator program designed to turn ideas into fundable startups through structured mentorship and hands-on support.

Boston has increasingly emerged as a center for international collaboration, exemplified by the visit of four Swiss Biotech startups in May 2024. The companies traveled to the city to explore its startup ecosystem and gain insights into entering the U.S. market. Additionally, Boston held several tech events, including Startup Boston's Dealflow Mixer in June 2024, which brought together founders and investors.

Boston's Biotech sector is thriving, with companies like Fluent BioSciences and 7 Traits Genomics showcasing its innovation. Fluent, once a startup at Cambridge Scientific Labs, is now a leader in single-cell genomics, while 7 Traits uses its platform for precision genomics, reflecting the industry's collaborative spirit.

Boston's AI sector is growing, with startups streamlining healthcare, manufacturing, and more. Collaborations with MIT and Harvard are driving real-world applications. In December 2024, Boston startups and tech firms raised $393.6 million in venture funding, with Liquid AI reaching unicorn status. In March 2025, Pillar VC launched its $175 million fourth fund, aimed at boosting Boston's tech startup ecosystem. 

Boston Fintech Week 2024 hosted five in-person events, spotlighting strategies for financial stability with digital assets and showcasing AI innovation through competitions.  Startup Boston Week 2024, held in September 2024 at Suffolk University, brought together entrepreneurs and innovators, promoting collaboration and networking within the startup ecosystem. 

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

A measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations from H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$192 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS 

The number of startups that meet our definition and have been valued at more than $1 billion and have not exited.
(ACTIVE UNICORNS)
44
GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

Average software engineer salary informed by data from Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale, as well as local sources when available.
(2024)
$126 K
GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

The average age at the time of exit in the ecosystem in 2020–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
10.8 years
GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

The total seed and Series A funding in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$7.5 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

The median of seed rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$2.2 M
GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

Early-stage funding growth is based on number of seed and Series A rounds raised between 2021-20222 vs. 2023-2024 and calculated on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)
4
Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

The total value of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
$112 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

Ecosystem Value growth (CAGR) is calculated based on companies founded in the ecosystem in H2 2020–H2 2022 vs. H2 2022–H2 2024.
(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)
-27%
GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND 

The median of Series A rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 – 2024)
$11 M
GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

The total VC funding (seed, Series A, Series B+) in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
$72 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

The number of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
682
127
2020
189
2021
132
2022
102
2023
132
2024
GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

Life Sciences
Life Sciences

In October 2024, Cambridge-based CAMP4 Therapeutics raised $75 million in its U.S. IPO, reflecting investor confidence in Life Sciences. Massachusetts Life Sciences companies raised $7.8 billion in VC funding in 2024, with Boston outpacing Cambridge. Launched in late 2024 with $6.5 million in seed funding, Dash Bio uses robotics and AI to speed up clinical trial sample testing. PitchBook names Boston a "bright spot" for female Biotech founders. In early 2025, Atalanta Therapeutics raised $97 million in Series B for clinical trials.

AI, Big Data & Analytics
AI, Big Data & Analytics

In December 2024, Governor Maura Healey launched the Massachusetts AI Hub to establish the state as a global leader in applied AI by uniting government, industry, startups, and academia. Code Metal, an AI startup integrating software with drones and robots, raised $13 million in seed funding. In June 2024, Boston-based AI Fintech startup EnFi raised $7.5 million in seed funding. By January 2025, Boston had around 300 AI job postings, reflecting the sector's growing employment opportunities.

Fintech
Fintech

The 7th annual Boston Fintech Week, held in October 2024, showcased the sector’s rapid evolution. Organized by Fintech Sandbox, it featured panels, workshops, and networking events focused on generative AI, faster payments, aging population challenges, and climate-driven financial shifts. In early 2025, the Fintech + AI 413 Startup Launch Series kicked off its second season with an Idea Jam and brought together 35 students from WNE and Springfield College to pitch Fintech and AI startup ideas. The initiative aimed to foster local talent with funding and mentorship.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Boston

Educated Talent

Boston's startup scene is thriving with strong university, research, and private sector ties offering startups access to labs, expert guidance, and real-world testing. Venture-building platform Mentogram and Boston-based Prepare4VC have partnered to launch the "New Way to MBA" program, addressing the skills gap in early-stage startups. The program blends AI-focused startup education with hands-on experience, preparing participants for leadership roles in the startup ecosystem. 

Support & Mentorship

Launched in August 2024, Boston XChange Initiative is a nonprofit that aims to boost the economic growth in under-invested communities with grants and mentorship for local entrepreneurs. In September 2024, Startup Boston Week connected founders, mentors, and investors, offering content for startups from MVP creation to Series B funding and Techstars Boston Accelerator launched a three-month mentorship program, attracting diverse founders to tap into Boston's startup ecosystem.

Convenient Location

Boston Logan Airport strengthens the city’s global reach, making Boston a prime hub for entrepreneurs managing teams across time zones. It offers non-stop flights to 50+ international destinations, including business hubs like London and New York, ensuring seamless travel for professionals. Boston's strategic location, near top universities like Harvard and MIT, gives startups access to elite talent and research, while its strong infrastructure makes it a prime hub for entrepreneurs and investors.

Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

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