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Biotechs and Robotics Pay Off for Massachusetts

By Mass Business Blogger December 18, 2015 December 18, 2015 Biotechnology, Business, Technology

A law passed in 2008 that provides subsidies to biotech and robotics companies in Massachusetts is helping to grow these industries in the commonwealth. Some say the biotech and robotics industries in MA are beginning to rival those of Tokyo and California, which have long been considered the global leaders in this type of business.

Massachusetts Received One Third of Seed Stage Funding

One of the reasons for this growth in the commonwealth is the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act of 2008. This legislation authorized $1 billion in investments, grants, loans, and tax breaks over the next decade to be given to local biotech companies. The government is following through with their promise; they have presented over $761 million in seed-stage funding for these businesses between 2009 and 2013. This has allowed nine of the ten largest drug manufacturing companies to set up research and development laboratories in Massachusetts.

Foundry robotics.

Homegrown vs. Tax Incentives—Paying Twofold

One of pivotal stipulation of the MA incentive package is that it focuses on local businesses who have already been working in the industry. Legislation hoped to unlock the commercial potential of research already being conducted at state universities including Harvard, MIT, and the University of Massachusetts. By attracting smaller companies on the cutting edge of research, Massachusetts has found that large companies tend to migrate to states where those small companies are thriving.

Massachusetts Grows Connections—And Keeps Them

Attracting smaller companies that draw the interest of larger companies has helped Massachusetts become a leader in the biotech and robotics industry. The new financial incentives attract companies and talent to the commonwealth. As the biotech and robotics industries continue to grow, investors have become more motivated to provide additional seed money for growing companies. Larger companies have spent more time mentoring startup companies after seeing their industry swell; the success of large and small companies comes as a benefit to the state.

Atlas, a humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics.

The Future of Robotics in New England

Since 2008, at least twenty robotics companies have sprouted up in Massachusetts; venture capital in the robotics industry has also grown to more than $60 million, up from $20 million in 2008. Technology giants like Amazon and Google have provided millions of dollars in startup funds for robotic-focused companies through acquisitions and other forms of investment.

Unfortunately, trends have shown that smaller companies often sell to larger firms before they can grow to a significant size. This has prevented Massachusetts from becoming a true powerhouse in robotics. The international robotics industry saw $15 billion in 2010; it is expected to see $65 billion by 2025. Experts say that special focus will be given to robotics that provide everyday utility, including those that help clean and maintain homes.

Massachusetts has implemented incentives that have helped the state grow the robotics and biotech industries, but many experts say there is still significant room for growth.

WE BOS Supports Women Entrepreneurs in MA

By Mass Business Blogger October 12, 2015 October 12, 2015 Business, Economy, Employment, Entreprenuer

A new initiative in Boston seeks to close the gender gap in business ownership and success. In 2012, women owned about 36% of all small businesses in the US; however, men-owned firms average a 67.9% higher profit margin. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh recently announced WE BOS, a plan to help establish and grow women-owned businesses in Massachusetts with training, networking, and business counsel.

Problem #1: Massachusetts Lags in Female-Owned Mid-Markets

A recent report by American Express and Dun and Bradstreet examined women and minority ownership of “middle-market” businesses. These are defined as businesses with annual revenue above $10 million but below $1 billion. There are approximately 4,000 such businesses in Massachusetts. Only 5% of these businesses are owned mostly by women; a paltry 14% have female chief executives.

Problem #2: Obstacles Include Lack of Access to Funding

Women-owned businesses often face obstacles when trying to get the necessary funding and support to grow. About 2% of venture capital funding is dedicated to women-owned businesses. This may be a consequence of Problem #1—that there aren’t enough women in leadership positions to even receive funding. A recent study by Babson College found that only 6% of venture capital firms have even a single female partner. Over the past ten years, the number of women-owned businesses in MA (and their success rates) has steadily increased, but not nearly as fast we’d like it to.

Solution: WE BOS Seeks to Boost Women in Business

The news is not all bleak. The AMEX and Dun and Bradstreet survey indicates that women-owned businesses able to crack into the middle-market tend to have higher rates of both revenue and employment growth—they just need a little help getting through the door. Massachusetts leaders have taken the initiative to get women-owned businesses on their feet and put them in a position for growth.

The initiative is called Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS). The group, which will offer skill training, technical assistance, and other services to women-owned businesses, will be led by Kara Miller. Miller said “I am thrilled to expand our reach to women-owned businesses through WE BOS.” She mentioned that the organization’s goals are to both support and create women entrepreneurs in Boston.

WE BOS Becomes Part of Women Entrepreneurs Week in October 2015

Miller’s initiative has been up-and-coming for a couple years now and will finally launch on October 12th. The date also marks the beginning of Boston’s inaugural Women Entrepreneurs Week. Throughout the week, women entrepreneurs will be able to attend workshops, speakers, roundtable discussions, and will have the opportunity to meet and connect with others. You can find a full list of events here, many of which are free to attend.

WE BOS joins other local endeavors designed to assist women in business such as Innovation Women and the Women on Main Initiative. Although Massachusetts businesses—along with those of the rest of the nation—are still far less diversified as they should be, these recent efforts will hopefully move us in a better direction.

Are you interested in attending any of the events at Women Entrepreneurs Week? Do you have any advice for women-owned businesses in MA, or business owners in general?

Worcester Named Most Business-Friendly City in Massachusetts

By Mass Business Blogger September 8, 2015 September 8, 2015 Business, Economy, Politics

Massachusetts Small Businesses Make a Remarkable Turnaround in Just a Year

Business confidence in Massachusetts cities continues to grow . . . and you may not believe which city is at the top of the list. A recent survey of small business owners in New England ranked Worcester, Massachusetts, as the most business-friendly city in the state. When pinned against all cities in New England, Worcester was second only to Manchester, New Hampshire.

Worcester’s rise above regional hubs such as Boston and Providence caps a remarkable turnaround for the city. Business leaders agree that Worcester’s business climate is much-improved—the city received an overall grade of “B-” this year despite a lowly grade of “F” last year.

Worcester, MA Is Positioned to Expand Across All Business Sectors

Worcester and other mid-sized cities serve as a complement to Boston’s hub of finance, education, government, and professional services. They provide a hospitable climate for smaller businesses and manufacturers that may not be able to afford or be recognized in a larger city. Steve Rothschild, considered a small-business mogul in Worcester for his work with Applied Interactive, Bulbs.com, and Furniture.com, says that “Worcester is a great place to run a business because there is a well-educated workforce, an easy commute for employees, and low-cost commercial real estate.”

Worcester is particularly well-positioned because it has the history and infrastructure of a manufacturing hub but also a large service economy. The city boasts nine institutions of higher education and five major hospitals. Unlike many mid-sized cities that have struggled with population decline, Worcester has had steady population growth for the past three decades. Per capita income and education levels are on par with the state average. The combination of a well-rounded economy and an educated and skilled workforce allows Worcester to expand in many different sectors.

Improvement in Business Confidence “Grade” in Worcester, MA, Mirrors Massachusetts State Performance

The jump in Worcester’s business climate is consistent with the state’s improving economic indicators. The unemployment rate of 4.7% is significantly lower than the national average of 5.3%. For ten straight months, Massachusetts has increased its number of available jobs; 46,200 were added in 2015 so far—7,200 of which were added in July alone. Although most new jobs were in the education and health sectors, the state also added 1,400 manufacturing jobs in July. The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, based in Worcester, noted that much of the new manufacturing jobs came from small businesses with less than 50 employees. A number of jobs have also come from the booming craft beer industry in Massachusetts.

Business owners can be fickle when it comes to expressing approval of any business climate. The latest survey results, however, show that Worcester is headed in the right direction. If its trajectory continues, it will benefit not only the local economy, but the state economy as well.

Have you started a business in Massachusetts? Do you agree with the Worcester’s new grade of B-?

Tag: Boston