The backbone of Venture Café – come meet the community and make connections with all different kinds of innovators. How will you make your serendipitous moment come true?
CIC, where Venture Café Cambridge operates, provides a unique combination of workspace, culture, and bespoke programming designed to support the local startup community. CIC offers more than just a shared office space; it is an intentionally designed ecosystem where the focus is on enabling members to do their core work without the burden of operational overhead. With nearly 100 AI member companies and counting, CIC Cambridge provides spaces for teams of 1 to 100+ to grow and build their business. Say hello to Jamie and Cale from the CIC Team for tours and more details. Learn more at cic.com.
Save time at check-in by registering in advance!
Dive into the world of angel investing and perfect your pitch during our exclusive session with a Boston Angel Investor session. This dynamic event begins with an engaging workshop on the anatomy of a pitch, equipping you with the essential tools to captivate investors. But the excitement doesn't end there. For those eager to take their pitch to the next level, we offer a unique opportunity to secure one of only 5-7 coveted "golden tickets." These golden tickets unlock direct one-on-one pitch sessions with me, where founders can pitch their business ideas and receive invaluable feedback and guidance. In a supportive and constructive setting, you will have the chance to refine your pitch, showcase your entrepreneurial vision, and gain insights from an experienced angel investor. This is your moment to shine and make a lasting impression that could propel your startup to new heights. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to connect with a seasoned investor and elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Join us at our special Boston Angel Investor Seession and unlock the door to potential investment and growth.
Founders, it’s time to move past the "polished pitch" and get into what you’ve built. We are hosting a high-impact Product Demo & Strategy Session on Product-Market-Fit and Go-To-Market, designed to stress-test your builds. You can lean on frank and honest feedback and ideas from your fellow Sbur founders.
We are running a tight 15-minute "Power Slot" per founder to ensure maximum intensity and actionable takeaways:
- 3- 5 Min Demo: Show us the live product. No "About Us" slides and no pitch —just the "Magic Moment" and the user pain you’re solving.
- 10 Min Strategy Lab: We dive deep into your Product-Market Fit (PMF) and Go-To-Market (GTM) hurdles. Resource Blitz: Rapid-fire feedback, tool recommendations, and direct intros from your peers.
The Goal: Leave the room with a clearer roadmap and a handful of warm leads or tactical "growth hacks.
Join Musa Capital and the Arizona Commerce Authority during Boston Tech Week for a mixer with targeted conversation for startup founders interested in learning more about Arizona’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. This informal gathering at Venture Café Cambridge is designed for founders at any stage who are curious about what it looks like to build, scale, or expand their companies in Arizona. During this mixer, you’ll be able to interact directly with Arizona’s startup and investor ecosystem and learn more about:
- Startup incentives and support programs available in Arizona
- Capital opportunities for companies operating or relocating there
- Lower operating costs and founder-friendly legislation
- Access to talent, research institutions, and growing tech hubs
- The broader vision for building one of the country’s most dynamic startup ecosystems
We encourage founders of color, women founders, and underrepresented entrepreneurs to join the conversation and explore how Arizona is actively working to support a more inclusive and founder-friendly innovation economy.
Whether you're early in your journey or already building momentum, this is an opportunity to ask questions, connect with other founders, and learn about new opportunities for growth.
Open to founders across all industries and stages.
A 30-minute live build where Alec Harrison and Mark Stenquist from VisualBoston take a product idea from sketch to deployed app on stage using AI tools. The audience votes on the idea, and design and engineering run in parallel in real time. No slides, no theory, just a real build aimed at founders and builders.
A hands-on workshop where B2B SaaS product leaders connect their own GitHub and CRM to a live system and walk away with real data showing which features drive revenue and which correlate with churn. Attendees keep access to their instance after the event. Limited seats so everyone gets hands-on support.
Each year, MIT Technology Review releases its list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies, highlighting advancements with the potential to reshape industries, economies, and everyday life. But what actually qualifies as a “breakthrough,” and how much of it is signal versus noise?
Join executive editor Amy Nordrum in conversation with Denyse Medlenka, CEO of CIC, for an inside look at how this influential list comes together and what it reveals about where technology is truly headed.
This fireside chat will unpack the thinking behind the 2026 selections, including where there was internal debate, which technologies may be over- or under-valued, and what didn’t make the cut. The conversation will also explore how founders, investors, and operators can engage with emerging technologies more critically, moving beyond trend-chasing to understand what might actually endure.
Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion that challenges assumptions, surfaces overlooked ideas, and offers a clearer lens on what “breakthrough” really means in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
TEDxHarvard Square brings The Arena to Venture Cafe during Boston Tech Week. Early stage founders get 90 seconds to make the case for what they are building to a panel of investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders. No slides. No safety net. Just the idea, the founder, and the room. Whether you are pitching or watching, this is where you find out who is building something real.
Featuring a panel of judges, including Executive Chair of CIC and Venture Café Global Institute, Tim Rowe.
This session explores Zimbabwe, a country in Southern Africa, as an emerging destination for business, investment, and trade engagement. Designed for founders, investors, and professionals curious about international markets, the conversation will break down how U.S.-based companies can approach Zimbabwe through practical, relationship-driven strategies rather than high-risk entry.
Led by Leonard Tshitenge, the session will highlight real opportunities across sectors including technology, agriculture, energy, real estate, creative industries, and the growing remote workforce economy. Participants will gain insight into Zimbabwe’s educated, English-speaking talent base and its position within the Southern African region.
The session will also feature direct perspective from Zimbabwe through ecosystem leader Chido Chimedza, who will share insights on current market activity, business climate, and what U.S. partners should understand when entering or collaborating in the space.
This conversation also introduces a structured pathway to engage further through an upcoming U.S.–Zimbabwe business and trade mission (August 2026), designed to connect participants with vetted partners, institutions, and on-the-ground opportunities.
Zimbabwe Market & Sector Snapshot
Harare (Capital City):
-
Population: ~2 million (16M nationally)
-
Economic Role: Center for finance, education, and government
-
Talent Pool: 30,000+ university graduates annually
One of the most educated, English-speaking workforces in the region
Key Sectors & Ecosystem Opportunities
-
Farming & Food Systems
→ Agro-processing, food distribution, export opportunities -
Technology & Digital Services
→ Startups, outsourcing (BPO), digital platforms -
Real Estate & Infrastructure
→ Urban development, housing, commercial expansion -
Energy (Solar & Off-Grid Solutions)
→ Power for SMEs, rural electrification, backup systems -
Creative Industries
→ Music, fashion, visual arts, cultural exports -
Remote Workforce & Global Talent
→ Virtual assistants, research teams, marketing, tech support
Key Takeaways
-
Understand Zimbabwe’s position within Southern Africa and why it matters for business
-
Learn practical ways U.S. companies can enter and engage without large upfront risk
-
Identify sector-based opportunities across multiple industries
-
Explore Zimbabwe’s remote workforce and global talent potential
-
Gain insight from on-the-ground ecosystem leadership
-
Discover a structured pathway to engage through a U.S.–Zimbabwe trade mission
Lead Presenter
Leonard Tshitenge
U.S.–Africa Market Advisor
Special Envoy for African Affairs, WorldBoston
Member, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council
Founder, Consciously Exposed
Featuring
Chido Chimedza
Founder, U.S.–Africa Connect Summit
Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumna
U.S.–Zimbabwe Trade & Investment Ecosystem Leader
The backbone of Venture Café – come meet the community and make connections with all different kinds of innovators. How will you make your serendipitous moment come true?
CIC, where Venture Café Cambridge operates, provides a unique combination of workspace, culture, and bespoke programming designed to support the local startup community. CIC offers more than just a shared office space; it is an intentionally designed ecosystem where the focus is on enabling members to do their core work without the burden of operational overhead. With nearly 100 AI member companies and counting, CIC Cambridge provides spaces for teams of 1 to 100+ to grow and build their business. Say hello to Jamie and Cale from the CIC Team for tours and more details. Learn more at cic.com.
Save time at check-in by registering in advance!
Dive into the world of angel investing and perfect your pitch during our exclusive session with a Boston Angel Investor session. This dynamic event begins with an engaging workshop on the anatomy of a pitch, equipping you with the essential tools to captivate investors. But the excitement doesn't end there. For those eager to take their pitch to the next level, we offer a unique opportunity to secure one of only 5-7 coveted "golden tickets." These golden tickets unlock direct one-on-one pitch sessions with me, where founders can pitch their business ideas and receive invaluable feedback and guidance. In a supportive and constructive setting, you will have the chance to refine your pitch, showcase your entrepreneurial vision, and gain insights from an experienced angel investor. This is your moment to shine and make a lasting impression that could propel your startup to new heights. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to connect with a seasoned investor and elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Join us at our special Boston Angel Investor Seession and unlock the door to potential investment and growth.
Founders, it’s time to move past the "polished pitch" and get into what you’ve built. We are hosting a high-impact Product Demo & Strategy Session on Product-Market-Fit and Go-To-Market, designed to stress-test your builds. You can lean on frank and honest feedback and ideas from your fellow Sbur founders.
We are running a tight 15-minute "Power Slot" per founder to ensure maximum intensity and actionable takeaways:
- 3- 5 Min Demo: Show us the live product. No "About Us" slides and no pitch —just the "Magic Moment" and the user pain you’re solving.
- 10 Min Strategy Lab: We dive deep into your Product-Market Fit (PMF) and Go-To-Market (GTM) hurdles. Resource Blitz: Rapid-fire feedback, tool recommendations, and direct intros from your peers.
The Goal: Leave the room with a clearer roadmap and a handful of warm leads or tactical "growth hacks.
Join Musa Capital and the Arizona Commerce Authority during Boston Tech Week for a mixer with targeted conversation for startup founders interested in learning more about Arizona’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. This informal gathering at Venture Café Cambridge is designed for founders at any stage who are curious about what it looks like to build, scale, or expand their companies in Arizona. During this mixer, you’ll be able to interact directly with Arizona’s startup and investor ecosystem and learn more about:
- Startup incentives and support programs available in Arizona
- Capital opportunities for companies operating or relocating there
- Lower operating costs and founder-friendly legislation
- Access to talent, research institutions, and growing tech hubs
- The broader vision for building one of the country’s most dynamic startup ecosystems
We encourage founders of color, women founders, and underrepresented entrepreneurs to join the conversation and explore how Arizona is actively working to support a more inclusive and founder-friendly innovation economy.
Whether you're early in your journey or already building momentum, this is an opportunity to ask questions, connect with other founders, and learn about new opportunities for growth.
Open to founders across all industries and stages.
A 30-minute live build where Alec Harrison and Mark Stenquist from VisualBoston take a product idea from sketch to deployed app on stage using AI tools. The audience votes on the idea, and design and engineering run in parallel in real time. No slides, no theory, just a real build aimed at founders and builders.
A hands-on workshop where B2B SaaS product leaders connect their own GitHub and CRM to a live system and walk away with real data showing which features drive revenue and which correlate with churn. Attendees keep access to their instance after the event. Limited seats so everyone gets hands-on support.
Each year, MIT Technology Review releases its list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies, highlighting advancements with the potential to reshape industries, economies, and everyday life. But what actually qualifies as a “breakthrough,” and how much of it is signal versus noise?
Join executive editor Amy Nordrum in conversation with Denyse Medlenka, CEO of CIC, for an inside look at how this influential list comes together and what it reveals about where technology is truly headed.
This fireside chat will unpack the thinking behind the 2026 selections, including where there was internal debate, which technologies may be over- or under-valued, and what didn’t make the cut. The conversation will also explore how founders, investors, and operators can engage with emerging technologies more critically, moving beyond trend-chasing to understand what might actually endure.
Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion that challenges assumptions, surfaces overlooked ideas, and offers a clearer lens on what “breakthrough” really means in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
TEDxHarvard Square brings The Arena to Venture Cafe during Boston Tech Week. Early stage founders get 90 seconds to make the case for what they are building to a panel of investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders. No slides. No safety net. Just the idea, the founder, and the room. Whether you are pitching or watching, this is where you find out who is building something real.
Featuring a panel of judges, including Executive Chair of CIC and Venture Café Global Institute, Tim Rowe.
This session explores Zimbabwe, a country in Southern Africa, as an emerging destination for business, investment, and trade engagement. Designed for founders, investors, and professionals curious about international markets, the conversation will break down how U.S.-based companies can approach Zimbabwe through practical, relationship-driven strategies rather than high-risk entry.
Led by Leonard Tshitenge, the session will highlight real opportunities across sectors including technology, agriculture, energy, real estate, creative industries, and the growing remote workforce economy. Participants will gain insight into Zimbabwe’s educated, English-speaking talent base and its position within the Southern African region.
The session will also feature direct perspective from Zimbabwe through ecosystem leader Chido Chimedza, who will share insights on current market activity, business climate, and what U.S. partners should understand when entering or collaborating in the space.
This conversation also introduces a structured pathway to engage further through an upcoming U.S.–Zimbabwe business and trade mission (August 2026), designed to connect participants with vetted partners, institutions, and on-the-ground opportunities.
Zimbabwe Market & Sector Snapshot
Harare (Capital City):
-
Population: ~2 million (16M nationally)
-
Economic Role: Center for finance, education, and government
-
Talent Pool: 30,000+ university graduates annually
One of the most educated, English-speaking workforces in the region
Key Sectors & Ecosystem Opportunities
-
Farming & Food Systems
→ Agro-processing, food distribution, export opportunities -
Technology & Digital Services
→ Startups, outsourcing (BPO), digital platforms -
Real Estate & Infrastructure
→ Urban development, housing, commercial expansion -
Energy (Solar & Off-Grid Solutions)
→ Power for SMEs, rural electrification, backup systems -
Creative Industries
→ Music, fashion, visual arts, cultural exports -
Remote Workforce & Global Talent
→ Virtual assistants, research teams, marketing, tech support
Key Takeaways
-
Understand Zimbabwe’s position within Southern Africa and why it matters for business
-
Learn practical ways U.S. companies can enter and engage without large upfront risk
-
Identify sector-based opportunities across multiple industries
-
Explore Zimbabwe’s remote workforce and global talent potential
-
Gain insight from on-the-ground ecosystem leadership
-
Discover a structured pathway to engage through a U.S.–Zimbabwe trade mission
Lead Presenter
Leonard Tshitenge
U.S.–Africa Market Advisor
Special Envoy for African Affairs, WorldBoston
Member, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council
Founder, Consciously Exposed
Featuring
Chido Chimedza
Founder, U.S.–Africa Connect Summit
Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumna
U.S.–Zimbabwe Trade & Investment Ecosystem Leader