MassChallenge’s Safety & Security track accelerates, connects and educates startups with direct or potential relevance to national defense and public safety applications.

Program Overview

Through its Propel program, NSIN is partnering with MassChallenge to deliver its 2021 Safety & Security accelerator track. MassChallenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration and development. MassChallenge has more than a decade of experience accelerating startups and helping entrepreneurs build the next generation of transformational businesses. MassChallenge connects startups with the resources, partnerships, and communities that help them launch, grow, and scale their businesses.

Roughly 40 startups from around the U.S. will be selected to participate in the virtual program. Startups admitted to the program will go through 4 months of curriculum, mentorship and exhibition events designed to expand avenues of growth, provide access to funding and increase collaboration. Startups will also have the opportunity to engage directly with NSIN’s DoD partners and customers with the goal of driving solution adoption for targeted national security challenges. NSIN’s DoD partners and customers for this program are primarily located in Boston, Rhode Island, Austin and Houston.


Who Should Apply

Early stage startups with technologies and solutions with applications across a wide variety of verticals including AI/ML, Secure Communication, Crypto, Cybersecurity, Modeling and Simulation, Human Capital Improvement, Layered Systems, Data and Predictive Analytics, Decision Support, Imaging, Electronic Warfare and Systems, Sensors, IoT and Blue Tech.


Startup Benefits

  • Zero cost and for zero equity, with potential to receive over $1M in cash prizes and scholarships annually.
  • Connections to leading experts and mentors, top corporate innovation teams and a deep network of investors
  • Connections to potential DoD customers to collect end-user feedback to support produce development and refinement
  • Evidence-based and tailored curriculum designed to help startups excel in each stage of their early lifecycle
  • Join the network of over 2,500 alumni worldwide
  • Additional scholarships from partner organizations

Important Dates

17 FEB - 31 MAR 2021: Application Period

31 MAR 2021: Early Stage Application Due

APR - MAY 2021: Online Judging

JUN 2021: Finalist Announcement

JUN - SEP 2021: Accelerator/Program

28 OCT 2021: Accelerator/Program End Date


Application is required.

Applications have closed.

PARTNERS