UMass Boston

A vibrant entrepreneurial community is thriving right here on our campus in Boston.

As the business incubator at UMass Boston, the Venture Development Center (VDC) fosters a strong culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The VDC acts as a catalyst, connecting fledgling entrepreneurs and start-ups with a range of resources they need to transform ideas and translational research into breakthrough innovation and commercially viable businesses.  

The VDC model is unique when you compare it to other university entrepreneurship centers. Instead of limiting program eligibility to those with a UMass Boston affiliation, the VDC strives to attract innovative industry disrupters, help them clear their early-stage hurdles, and connect them with our rich and vibrant UMass Boston ecosystem. The VDC also hosts Global Entrepreneurs in Residence (GEIRs) in a program that provides work visas to qualified entrepreneurs from overseas working on ventures. We connect the GEIRs with opportunities to serve the UMass Boston community with their expertise. The VDC hosts monthly showcases featuring the work of current GEIRs giving UMass Boston students, faculty, and staff opportunities to learn from GEIRs while they launch and grow their businesses.  

Events and opportunities for networking are an integral part of the VDC's programming. Image By: UMass Boston Office of Communications

As a sector-agnostic incubator, our participants can operate in fields such as the life sciences, health care, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics, quantum computing, additive manufacturing, augmented and virtual reality, renewable energy (i.e., clean tech, green tech, and blue tech), cybersecurity, and more. The VDC’s resources for start-up ventures include a peer network, mentor support, fully equipped coworking and meeting spaces, and the availability of student workers. Our members also have access to the Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives ecosystem including wet and dry labs, research core facilities, intellectual property (IP) services, and the award application and management expertise of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP).  

Through our services and support to researchers commercializing their translational discoveries, global innovators, early-stage ventures, student, staff, and faculty start-ups and businesses, the VDC is having impact on campus, across the Commonwealth, and beyond.