Episode description

John Harthorne is the Founder and CEO of MassChallenge, the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. 

No equity and not-for-profit, MassChallenge is obsessed with helping entrepreneurs across any industry. 

They also reward the highest-impact startups through a competition to win a portion of several million dollars in equity-free cash awards. 

Through MassChallenge’s global network of accelerators in Boston, London, Jerusalem, Geneva, and Mexico City, and unrivalled access to corporate partners, entrepreneurs can have a massive impact - driving growth and creating value the world over. To date, 835 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $1.1 billion and created over 6,500 jobs. 

John earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2007. While at school, John won Grand Prize in the 2007 MIT $100K Business Plan Competition and received the 2007 Patrick J. McGovern Award for impact on quality and visibility of entrepreneurship at MIT. 

The World Economic Forum also elected John as one of the 2013 Young Global Leaders alongside Chelsea Clinton and Tony Hsieh. 

John is a life-long Massachusetts resident and an avid Red Sox fan. He currently lives in Newton with his wife, Natalia, their 9-year old son Max and their 5-year old girl Yulia.

Lets Listen into John Harthorne interviewed at our Startup Grind Boston chapter by Director Carlos Cardenas.