MassChallenge

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs from various industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in countries such as Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge operates a non-equity model, allowing startups to retain full ownership while benefiting from expert guidance and connections. The accelerator conducts various programs tailored to specific sectors, such as MassChallenge HealthTech and MassChallenge FinTech, which facilitate partnerships between startups and established enterprises to drive innovation and market growth. Through its extensive global network, MassChallenge aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and empower high-potential startups to create meaningful impact.

Cait Brumme

Acting CEO

Siobhan Dullea

CEO

Kiki Mills Johnston

Managing Director, Boston

Matt Lashmar

Managing Director

Camila Lecaros

Managing Director

Yonit Serkin

Managing Director

Devon Sherman

Founding Director, Head of MassChallenge FinTech

Michelle Williams

Vice President and Head of Texas Strategy

Past deals in Apparel

Fili Pari

Non Equity Assistance in 2024
Equal Threads offers designing materials, garments, fabric, wearable microfilm, textiles, soft materials, innovative materials, covering, upholstery, new materials, and stone materials for sale.

Banofi Leather

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
Banofi Leather is to protect our only planet, by creating plant-based leather from banana crop waste. Banofi believe that customers should not have to compromise but also that fashion should be guilt and cruelty-free. So, we dedicated ourselves to creating Banofi, which looks, feels, and smells like traditional leather.

Crimagno

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
Crimagno is a fully sustainable high-end hybrid of a design & sports shoes for men and women realized with sustainable materials

The PS Collective

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
The PS Collective operates a tech-powered clothing rental platform that specializes in providing special occasion attire. Customers can engage with the service by completing a style assessment quiz and uploading a selfie, which allows the company to curate a selection of suitable products tailored to their individual needs. The PS Collective offers a diverse range of products, including accessories, activewear, dresses, handbags, jackets, jeans, jewelry, lingerie, outerwear, and swimwear, among others. By connecting customers with independent designers, the platform ensures that users can find well-fitting, stylish options for any event.

Genuino

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Genuino is a sports technology company based in Italy that specializes in transforming sports memorabilia into certified assets. The company’s innovative platform allows users to buy and sell game-worn apparel directly through a peer-to-peer system. Utilizing blockchain technology, Genuino has established a certification protocol that authenticates and certifies match-worn apparel, ensuring its legitimacy. This approach not only provides provenance and ownership evidence for each piece but also enhances trust between consumers and brands. Genuino supports its operations with proprietary web and mobile applications, complemented by Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which facilitates bidding on authenticated game-worn items. Through its focus on transparency and data integrity, Genuino aims to reshape the landscape of sports memorabilia.

Wave Company

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Wave Company is a diversified smart apparel firm focused on enhancing athletic performance and recovery through innovative technology. Its flagship product, WaveWear, utilizes patented compression and kinesiology features to aid in injury prevention and recovery for athletes. The company leverages its proprietary conductive silicone technology, Elecsil, to analyze human movement and enhance training experiences. In addition to developing advanced sportswear, Wave Company produces and sells core material technologies, including its bio-silicone technology, to various sectors such as sportswear, healthcare, and smart wear. This approach allows Wave Company to distribute finished products directly to consumers or license its material technologies to other brands, similar to established names in the industry.

SheFly

Grant in 2021
SheFly is a retailer of women's outdoor-based apparel products intended for women and people of all genders. Founded in 2018 by co-founders Georgia Grace, Bianca Gonzale, and Charlotte Massey. The company operates in Gunnison, Colorado.

Nuw (The Nu Wardrobe LTD)

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
The Nu Wardrobe is a circular fashion platform that allows users to digitize their wardrobes and share clothing with others in their community. By facilitating borrowing, sharing, and swapping of garments, the platform extends the life cycle of clothing and significantly reduces garment waste while maintaining a focus on style. Users can participate in innovative events designed to raise awareness about sustainable fashion, providing a fun alternative to traditional shopping. Through a subscription model, The Nu Wardrobe enables individuals to enjoy a sustainable fashion experience, giving new life to existing clothing within their communities.

Uwila Warrior

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Uwila Warrior is a women's underwear company specializing in women's silk and seamless underwear. Their underwear is as comfortable as it is functional and beautiful. Their styles include silk underwear, lace underwear, seamless underwear, and hipsters.

NERAMCO

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
NERAMCO develops smart polyethylene fibers and fabrics, SVETEX, for the textile industry. SVETEX materials have superior functionality and can be used as a sustainable/recyclable material that reduces water consumption and pollutants. The company develops apparel for children with skin disorders, and temperature-reducing underwear for menopausal women (for comfort) and all men (for improved fertility).

LOCKER LIFESTYLE

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Locker Lifestyle is a manufacturer of wearable lockers designed to keep belongings safe while traveling or working out in a gym. Their wearable lockers include wrist wallets, pocket headbands, and an ankle locker for keeping all essential belongings. It comes up with a fabric that is sweat-wicking and machine-washable, enabling individuals to secure belongings while having safety, stress reduction, and convenience.

HanaBi

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
HanaBi wants to offer these customers a ready-to-go solution to penetrate the in-wash fabric solid scent booster market, and to their consumers better product to fulfill their long-lasting fragrance expectations.

The VISIT Kit

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
VISIT is a monthly activity kit & app supporting family and friends of people living with dementia by guiding positive social interaction.

Moxie Apparel

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Moxie Scrubs is a Boston, MA based medical apparel startup born out of the Harvard Innovation Lab. Our company creates innovative medical apparel designed by nurses for nurses. Here at Moxie Scrubs, we're disrupting the medical apparel market as the first direct-to-consumer brand for nurses. While one can define Moxie as having 'force of character, determination or nerve, this definition represents the nurses who are part of the movement behind our brand - Our mission is to enhance, inspire, and empower the MOXIE in every nurse.

Mens GoldBoxx

Grant in 2019
MensGoldBoxx is an intuitive retail and subscription solution for Big&Tall men. B&T men's retail needs are about a decade behind creating a real opportunity for someone to add massive value to this market with minimal risk. B&T desperately needs clothing options, updated fits, and fabrics, consistent sizing, KIND customer service,(read: LOVE.) What we have is the team, the experience, the market, the road map, and the grit to infiltrate this 5B industry, where 70% of B&T Men polled, shop at 'other.'

RADIAN jeans

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
RADIAN jeans is a designer and manufacturer specializing in casual wear and jeans for women. The company operates an online store where customers can purchase a range of products, including deep-pocket straight jeans, shoes, bags, and accessories. RADIAN jeans focuses on providing comfort and style, incorporating technical fabrics with performance features into their designs. The jeans are specifically crafted with deep, subtle pockets to accommodate everyday essentials such as phones, keys, and wallets, thereby enhancing the functionality and practicality of women's wardrobes. Through its offerings, RADIAN aims to support women in improving their everyday lifestyle.

Impact Everything

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Impact Everything is a business focused on community assistance through the sale of various products, including clothing, accessories, home goods, and bath and body products. The company operates an online platform that allows customers to select from a diverse range of items while also contributing to solutions for pressing global issues with each purchase. Impact Everything emphasizes the importance of social responsibility, enabling consumers to make a positive impact through their buying choices. The company provides multiple contact options, including mail, phone, and a physical address, to facilitate communication with its community.

CONBODY

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
CONBODY is a fitness company that specializes in prison-style workouts led by formerly incarcerated individuals. Founded by Coss Marte in 2018, the company operates from New York and offers online fitness classes that require no equipment, allowing subscribers to access workout videos created by ex-cons. In addition to its fitness offerings, CONBODY sells apparel for men and women through its website. The company aims to raise awareness about criminal justice reform and provide employment opportunities for marginalized individuals, having hired over 50 former inmates with a notable 0% recidivism rate. By bridging the gap between young professionals and formerly incarcerated individuals, CONBODY seeks to normalize the reintegration of these individuals into society while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Hangio

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Hangio is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in hangers for fashion clothing. The company focuses on optimizing the everyday closet experience by providing flexible and durable hangers designed to prevent stretching, wrinkling, bumps, and creasing of garments. With a commitment to accommodating various collar types, Hangio aims to enhance clothing care while making a positive impact on the fashion industry.

Wear Love joy

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Wear Love joy is a ecommerce company that provides clothing for women.

Unsize

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Unsize is a clothing-fitting platform designed to assist online shoppers in finding the right size for their purchases. By leveraging proprietary technology, the platform allows users to take precise measurements, ensuring a better fit and enhanced comfort in clothing selections. Unsize aims to simplify the online shopping experience by addressing the common challenge of size selection, making it easier for consumers to customize their clothing choices effectively.

THE 1854 CYCLING

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
THE 1854 CYCLING focuses on addressing generational poverty by creating living wage job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. The company manufactures bicycles, including electric and cargo models, and offers cycling apparel and accessories, promoting an eco-friendly mode of transportation. By providing high-quality cycling products, THE 1854 CYCLING aims to support the health and fitness of its customers while serving as a symbol of a broader movement to empower those re-entering society.

BUHO

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
BUHO is a sustainable fashion & lifestyle platform with products for women, men, kids & home under one banner for the first time. We're rooted in an uncompromising commitment to sustainable contemporary fashion that’s easy to find, fun to wear, and earth-loving. Our company was born out of a belief that fashion can do better because we know better. By combining fashion and social impact, BUHO provides consumers the opportunity to shop by the values most important to them. As an active member of 1% For the Planet, BUHO commits to donating 1% of all sales to support environmental programs and is a fully circular business with biodegradable packaging and an easy recycle program that distributes items to one of our non-profit partners repurposes it into new materials. We are currently going through our B-Corp Certification Process.

Etiquette

Grant in 2017
Etiquette Inc is an innovative rental technology company focused on the bridal market, offering a platform for renting designer wedding dresses and accessories. By providing a unique digital experience, Etiquette allows brides to try on dresses at home, enhancing the traditional bridal shopping process. The company connects brides with individuals looking to rent out their unused wedding apparel, including dresses and jewelry, facilitating an accessible and cost-effective solution that can save up to 80% off retail prices. Additionally, Etiquette ensures a perfect fit guarantee and handles dry-cleaning, making the rental process convenient and hassle-free for users. Through this model, Etiquette not only offers brides an affordable option but also enables dress owners to monetize their idle assets during peak wedding seasons.

John's Crazy Socks

Grant in 2017
John's Crazy Socks is spreading happiness through socks.

ADIFF

Grant in 2017
ADIFF is a humanitarian fashion start-up that focuses on addressing global issues through innovative design while simultaneously providing support to refugees. The brand specializes in all-gender, one-size transformable products, such as multipurpose jackets that are practical, durable, and waterproof, designed to be worn in various environments. Initially created to assist refugees, the positive market response led to these products becoming available for purchase. Founder Angela Luna established a donation-driven business model, ensuring that a portion of profits from sales is redirected to humanitarian initiatives, particularly aiding refugees. By upcycling traditional waste materials for their clothing and accessories, ADIFF not only aims to reduce industry waste but also raises awareness of urgent social concerns. Each purchase contributes to the donation of essential items to those in need, reinforcing the brand's commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Social Fabric

Grant in 2017
Social Fabric is a sustainable textile center that promotes the use of environmentally friendly and socially responsible textiles. The organization aims to combine a circular economy with innovative technology and decentralized manufacturing to provide customers with customized garments. It operates as a community-based association, focusing on two main areas: integrating refugees into the workforce in Switzerland and enhancing sustainability in textile production. By prioritizing ethical labor practices and minimizing ecological impact, Social Fabric offers individuals access to meaningful and sustainable textile products.

Connect One Threads

Grant in 2016
Conscious apparel for the world citizen.

Clover Lewis Swimwear

Grant in 2016
Clover Lewis Swimwear specializes in the design and manufacture of stylish swimwear tailored for women, particularly those who have undergone mastectomy and other breast cancer surgeries. The collection includes bikinis and one-piece swimsuits that combine elegance with thoughtful features to ensure comfort and support. While originally intended for post-surgery needs, Clover Lewis Swimwear has garnered admiration from women across various backgrounds, appealing to a broader audience with its fashion-forward designs. The brand emphasizes the importance of providing comfortable and beautiful swimwear options, making it a notable choice for all women seeking both style and practicality in their swimwear.

Induo

Seed Round in 2016
Induo is a textile company that specializes in the production of innovative fabrics designed for apparel brands. The company's flagship product, INDUO® fabric, is engineered to be resistant to stains and perspiration while maintaining the soft touch and comfort characteristic of high-quality cotton. Induo utilizes advanced technology to create breathable and repellent fabrics, focusing on sustainability by recycling complex material blends and poorly sorted apparel waste. This approach allows the company to offer comfortable clothing options at an affordable price, catering to the needs of both consumers and apparel manufacturers.

Induo

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Induo is a textile company that specializes in the production of innovative fabrics designed for apparel brands. The company's flagship product, INDUO® fabric, is engineered to be resistant to stains and perspiration while maintaining the soft touch and comfort characteristic of high-quality cotton. Induo utilizes advanced technology to create breathable and repellent fabrics, focusing on sustainability by recycling complex material blends and poorly sorted apparel waste. This approach allows the company to offer comfortable clothing options at an affordable price, catering to the needs of both consumers and apparel manufacturers.

Moteefe

Grant in 2015
Moteefe is an e-commerce platform established in 2014 that empowers individuals and businesses to create and sell customized merchandise through social media. It offers a comprehensive print-on-demand service that supports entrepreneurs of all sizes, from individual creators to larger retailers, in transforming their creative designs into marketable products quickly and efficiently. Moteefe's platform allows users to launch their own white-labeled stores or sell directly through their websites, minimizing upfront investment and promoting entrepreneurship. By facilitating the design and sale of custom clothing and merchandise, Moteefe enables users to reach a global audience and monetize their creative ideas.

SidelineSwap

Grant in 2015
SidelineSwap, LLC is an online marketplace focused on buying, selling, and trading sporting goods. Established in 2012 and based in Franklin Square, New York, the platform caters to a wide range of sports, including lacrosse, hockey, soccer, skiing, baseball, softball, basketball, football, golf, and snowboarding. It offers a diverse selection of products, encompassing new, used, and vintage items, as well as apparel, electronics, and gear for various sports activities. In addition to facilitating individual transactions, SidelineSwap collaborates with retailers and brands to enhance circular shopping experiences through its trade-in program and marketplace technology.

Unshrinkit

Grant in 2015
Unshrinkit is a company that specializes in a patent-pending liquid solution designed to restore wool clothing to its original size after it has been unintentionally shrunk. This innovative product provides an effective way for consumers to address common laundry mishaps involving wool garments and accessories. The solution allows users to easily unshrink their clothing, making it a practical option for those looking to salvage their favorite wool items. By focusing on a specific need within the clothing care market, Unshrinkit offers a unique and valuable service to consumers who wish to maintain the integrity of their woolen apparel.

Haute Elan

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
Haute Elan Limited is a London-based company that operates apparel stores and a marketplace platform specializing in modest fashion for men and women. Founded in 2013, it features clothing items such as hijabs, abayas, tote bags, designer apparel, accessories, and jubbas. The platform showcases around 200 emerging and established designers from various countries, catering primarily to the £2 trillion Muslim consumer market. Haute Elan aims to provide a customer-oriented shopping experience that integrates technology with fashion. Additionally, the company fosters community engagement through annual events, including the Modest Fashion Awards and the inaugural London Modest Fashion Week, highlighting its commitment to promoting modest fashion on a global scale.

Mariwear

Grant in 2013
Mariwear was conceived and designed to address a universal issue shared by most women--how to get out of their bra but still feel dressed. This patent pending apparel was first introduced as lounge/sleepwear but has since proven itself as a new category of functional lifestyle clothing as it resonates with women for many uses. It's built-in shape and support with no wires or fasteners has transformed the way women dress to be comfortable. Braless comfort AND confidence – every woman’s dream.

Lallitara

Grant in 2013
lallitara is an environmentally conscious apparel brand that create stylish products by breathing new life into vintage sari fabrics. Their functional pieces allow you to showcase your sense of style while benefiting others. In particular, your purchase allows us to provide fair wages to India's informal recycling community, and support the 'Made in America' movement by manufacturing domestically.

Thinx

Grant in 2013
Thinx Inc. manufactures and sells period-proof underwear designed as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional menstrual products such as pads and tampons. Founded in 2013 and based in New York City, the company employs innovative technology to create breathable, moisture-wicking, and stain-resistant fabrics that offer antimicrobial support. In addition to its core product line, Thinx also contributes to social initiatives by providing washable and reusable cloth pads to girls in developing countries. The company's products are primarily sold through its online platform, making them accessible to a broad audience.

99degrees Custom

Grant in 2013
99C manufactures build-to-order apparel for the growing me-commerce market and serves as an economic mobility bridge for the local workforce in Lawrence and Lowell. It provides quick-turn performance activewear production, advanced concept incubation, and wearable technology integration for global and emerging brands.

Bow & Drape

Grant in 2012
Bow & Drape Inc. is an online retailer specializing in custom-designed apparel and accessories for women, including bridal clothing and pet products. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the company allows customers to create unique garments by choosing from a selection of silhouettes, colors, and trims. Once a design is finalized, Bow & Drape manufactures the item in the USA and ships it directly to the customer within two weeks. Formerly known as Zoora LLC, Bow & Drape Inc. has been operating as a subsidiary of Brand Value Growth LLC since November 2019.

Pegasus Performance

Grant in 2012
Pegasus was established after its founder, an avid bike racer, had a severe accident that nearly cost him his life. Using a patent-pending system of strategically placed sliding fabric layers, the cycling garments are engineered to be light, breathable, and protective. Pegasus Performance produces patent-pending garments that reduce injuries from bike and other sports crashes, improving your safety.

Ministry of Supply

Seed Round in 2012
Ministry of Supply, Inc. is a company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in the design and manufacture of performance professional apparel for both men and women. Established in 2010, the company focuses on creating innovative clothing that addresses the limitations of traditional work attire through advanced materials and purposeful design. Ministry of Supply aims to enhance comfort and functionality in business wear, allowing individuals to perform at their best throughout the workday. By leveraging scientific research and human-centered design, the company produces garments that are tailored to the body's form while maintaining a commitment to sustainability. The products are primarily sold online, reflecting the company's contemporary approach to retail.

Day 2 Night

Grant in 2011
Day2Night Convertible Heels created patent pending convertible high heel shoes for women. There are 5 interchangeable heels heights ranging from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches that can be placed on/ off by simply pressing a button. Day2Night Convertible Heels will allow women to commute from home to the office and from the office to an evening event without ever having to change their shoes.

Lynx Sportswear

Grant in 2011
Lynx Sportswear specializes in manufacturing sports bras designed specifically for larger-breasted women, addressing common issues such as discomfort from painful bouncing, restricted breathing, and shoulder strap pain. The Lynx bra features an Integrated Stability Matrix that supports the breasts from the sides, reducing the weight on the shoulders. Additionally, it incorporates Dynamic Flex Construction to enhance breathability and allow for a full range of motion. These sports bras are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, and free from underwires and molded cups, enabling women to engage in their daily activities with comfort and confidence.

Casa Couture

Grant in 2011
Casa Couture is a footwear company founded in 2011 by Claudia Espinola, specializing in stylish and comfortable shoes for women, particularly targeting expecting mothers and married women. The brand emphasizes the fusion of fashion and comfort, utilizing materials that self-adjust to the wearer's foot, ensuring a luxurious fit during the maternity period. Casa Couture has garnered recognition from notable outlets such as WWD, The Bump, and ABC News for its innovative approach to women's footwear, allowing women to express their style without compromising on comfort.

Open Runway

Grant in 2010
Users can create one of a kind, custom handbags at Open Runway, and have them delivered to their door in about 6 weeks. Start with a silhouette and finish with a concept bag that's entirely your own, created online from hundreds of Open Runway's colors, fabrics, leathers, silhouettes and add-ons.

Day 2 Night

Grant in 2010
Day2Night Convertible Heels created patent pending convertible high heel shoes for women. There are 5 interchangeable heels heights ranging from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches that can be placed on/ off by simply pressing a button. Day2Night Convertible Heels will allow women to commute from home to the office and from the office to an evening event without ever having to change their shoes.

Peach

Grant in 2010
Peach is a contemporary fashion brand that specializes in designing premium, athletic-inspired clothing and accessories for women. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company focuses on providing versatile apparel suitable for various occasions, including gym, work, and leisure. Peach operates through a unique network of stylists who create personalized shopping experiences, helping women elevate their everyday style. The brand is committed to empowering women, aiming to support their personal and professional growth while offering a range of basics and intimate apparel. With seasonal collections and on-trend accessories, Peach caters to the diverse needs of modern women.
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