STEX25

Startups selected for STEX25, all part of MIT Startup Exchange, receive custom support. For twelve months, each STEX25 startup is assigned a team member from Startup Exchange to be its main point of contact, an individual who helps with targeted connections within the established corporate network of the Industrial Liaison Program (ILP). Furthermore, STEX25 startup executives are offered speaking opportunities at events delivered at MIT, elsewhere in the US, and internationally. This customized effort is to help startup executives explore, discuss, and start collaborations and partnerships with corporations based on common interests and business overlap.

BENEFITS TO STARTUPS:

Startups are periodically nominated for MIT STEX25 by leading members of MIT’s startup ecosystem, including the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, the Venture Mentoring Service, and MIT departments and labs.

Once inducted, MIT STEX25 startups are advised and prepared for industry interactions, including the refining and rehearsing of presentations, the development of written and video promotional materials, and the building of relationships with program directors at the MIT's Industrial Liaison Program.

HOW ARE STARTUPS SELECTED FOR STEX25?

STEX25 startups must be referred to the Startup Exchange team by leading members of MIT’s startup ecosystem, including the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, the Venture Mentoring Service, MIT departments and labs, faculty, as well as groups affiliated to MIT such as The Engine. As a next step, the Startup Exchange team invites all referred startups to apply through a dedicated form. Applicants are interviewed by a group assembled by the Startup Exchange team. Selected startups have a combination of a strong team and solid technology and show a potential alignment with a broad number of ILP members.

Once inducted, startups stay in the STEX25 group for twelve months. Onboarding is done in cohorts of five to 10.

Corporations looking for an injection of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit often look first at the industry ready STEX25 startups. They routinely find high-caliber talent and cutting-edge technology relevant to their businesses.