THE EDDIES
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Applications for the 2026 Eddies Will Open in March
Please find the details and key dates for the 2026 Eddies below.
1986-2025: 39 years of Recognizing, Nurturing & Fueling Innovation
Mentor-Mentee Meeting
The New England Innovation Award competition was first launched in 1986; since then, over 3,500 startups have been supported to succeed and scale. Some notable alumni include Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Staples, Genzyme, MassChallenge, Carbonite, KRONOS, ZipCar, iRobot, zipcar, Keurig and Vistaprint. Today, the program is a 7-month innovation-support system based on Individualized Mentoring, Strategic Guidance, Leadership Education, and Connections to Resources; its objective is to help early-stage startups (pre-Series C) take the next steps in their commercialization journey. In 2021, the program was restructured to better fit the needs of a 21st century founder; at the same time it was rebranded as "The Eddies".
"The Eddies" Name
The Eddies name represents a nod to Thomas Edison, and his prolific work (and 1,093 innovation patents!) in a variety of industries and sectors; and the circular movement of water, counter to a main current, causing a small whirlpool on the surface of the ocean (similar to the ripples caused to any market by the introduction of a ground-breaking product or technology).
Program Eligibility
The Eddies (hybrid between innovation competition and leadership development program) are open to Massachusetts-based startups (not exceeding 150 employees), with a working prototype of a ground-breaking product or technology, that have completed their incubation phase and customer discovery, and have not yet reached Series C -or equivalent-funding.
Programming & Awards
The Eddies provide a high touch experience for innovative startups with the goal of fueling successful commercialization. The pillars of our programming are individualized mentorship (tailor-made to the specific objectives and challenges of each year's cohort), curated education based on the cohort's needs, leadership development, access to reputable ecosystem connections and funding sources. Our curated education also includes weekly educational modules brought to the cohort by seasoned ecosystem professionals, successful founders, engaged investors and many industry experts. ​
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Each of the Winners of the six (6) Innovation Tracks receives a $10,000 Cash Awards, at the End-of-Year Innovation Celebration & Awards Night.
Application Details
The application fee is $95; there are no further costs associated with the program (including event attendance). The program is industry-agnostic, welcoming applications in the following Innovation Tracks:​
Biotech
Deeptech & AI
Greentech & Climatech
Healthy Living & HealthTech
Medical Devices
Minority-Owned/BIPOC Founded or Led
2026 Program Timeline
03/02/2026
Nominations & Applications Open
TBD
Open Information Session #1 / Q&A - Zoom
TBD
Open Information Session #2 / Q&A - Zoom
04/03/2026
Nomination Submission Deadline
04/04 to 05/08/2026
Individualized Mentoring available to All Applicants
(first-apply, first-serve basis)
TBD
Open Information Session #3 / Q&A - Zoom
04/16/2026
Judges' Information Session for 2026 Season
(Virtual via Zoom)
04/17/2026
Application Submission Deadline
04/27 to 05/08/2026
Round 1 of Judging (Remotely, over 2-week Period)
05/06/2026
Mentor Information Session for 2026 Season
(In Person)
05/08/2025
Assessment Sheets & Scores Due (Google Drive)
06/03/2026
Finalists Networking and Guidance Session
Meet-N-Greet with Mentors
(In Person)
06/04/2026
Mentoring Begins (22 Weeks)
10/14/2026
2026 Eddies Innovation Showcase;
Second Judging Round (In Person).
11/06/2026
Mentoring Ends
11/18/2026
2026 Evening of Innovation Celebration & Awards Night
(In Person)
