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FORGE & Cummings Hardtech Rent Credit Pitch Competition

The FORGE Hardtech Rent Credit Pitch Competition aims to accelerate innovation and manufacturing readiness by awarding a Cummings Properties $20,000 rent credit to the most promising hardtech startup. This competition highlights scalable, manufacturable solutions and provides winning startups with a launchpad for growth within Cummings Properties' ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. All applicants must have at minimum an early stage physical prototype, both “looks like” and “works like” prototypes are eligible.
2. Early to mid-stage startups are preferred.
3. Must demonstrate a clear need for workspace to advance business operations.
4. The winning company must lease space from Cummings Properties within one year of receiving the prize. 5. If selected as a winner, a representative of your company must be able to present your project in person, at the pitch competition on March 27th, 2025 in Woburn, MA. 6. Winning companies are required to share proof of project execution and payment and provide follow up data as requested by FORGE. 7. Existing clients of Cummings or sublessees are not eligible
Prize Details
- $20,000 Rent Credit applicable to any available space in Cummings Properties' portfolio.
- Spaces include office, lab, flex, and R&D areas across 11 communities in Massachusetts.
- Lease term must commence within one year.
- Subject to Cummings' standard lease terms (including security deposit and insurance requirements).
- Utilities are not included in the prize.
- The prize is non-transferable.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. This application will close February 14th at 11:59PM EST.

Initial Screening

Do you have a physical prototype?

In order to be considered, you must have at least a basic prototype - both “looks like” and “works like” prototypes are eligible. Any product beyond the prototype stage is eligible to receive funding.

Do you have a physical prototype?

Yes

If selected as a finalist, a representative of your company would be able to present your project at a pitch competition on March 27th, 2025 in Woburn, MA, and you are willing to provide FORGE with a success story for public use

If selected as a finalist, a representative of your company would be able to present your project at a pitch competition on March 27th, 2025 in Woburn, MA, and you are willing to provide FORGE with a success story for public use

Yes

By checking this box, I confirm that my company is not currently in any outstanding legal disputes

I acknowledge

Questions About Your Company

Please answer the following questions so that FORGE can understand your company background and mission.

Company Name

Please briefly describe your company mission.

Company Sector

Aerospace and Transportation

Agriculture

Water and Bluetech

Building and Energy Efficiency

Chemical and Advanced Materials

Consumer Products

Defense

Energy Generation/Storage/Distribution

Medical Device and Diagnostics

Robotics, Process Efficiency, and Waste Reduction

Smart Cities

Telecommunications

IOT

Manufacturing

Materials

Assistive Tech

Contact Name

Contact Title

CEO

CTO

COO

Founder

Director

President

Engineer

Manager

Other

Contact Email

Contact Phone Number

Company Website (If Applicable)

Company Location (City & State)

Number of Employees (Full-time + Part-time)

Approximate Amount of Capital Raised

This helps us to understand the demographic lifestage of your company; your response will not work against you for the purpose of this application.

Which method(s) of funding make up your raised capital?

Venture Capital

Friends/Family

Crowdfunding

Self-funded/Bootstrapping

Government Grants/SBIR

Non-dilutive/Awards

Other

Approximate Amount of Revenue Earned

This helps us to understand the demographic lifestage of your company. Your response will not work against you for the purposes of this application.

Number of Products Launched.

The number of product lines your company has made available for purchase historically.

Have you worked with FORGE before?

Your response will not work against you for the purposes of this application. If you have worked with FORGE in the past, please still respond to the questions in full detail.

Questions About Your Company, Product, Current Development State, and Specific Challenge

Please briefly describe your business model and target market in 350 words or less.

Please briefly describe your product

Please describe your company's current level of market validation.

Please select your build stage.

1. APPEARANCE MODEL: Target customer with specific problem identified. Rendered images and mockups for exploration and verification of specific market and customer requirements, and beginning translation to technical specs and manufacturing processes.

2. PROOF OF CONCEPT: Key parts and assemblies complete and able to be tested using models and simulations. Might not look like a product, but demonstrates feasibility and explores risks. Developing product requirements and engineering documentation.

3. ENGINEERING PROTOTYPE: Full subsystems built independently, but not yet totally integrated into the product package.

4. ALPHA PROTOTYPE (LOOKS LIKE OR WORKS LIKE): Subsystems combined, and designed to test and evaluate basic processes for flaws. Bill of materials and assembly instructions developed. Customer requirements should be validated.

5. BETA PROTOTYPE ENGINEERING: Beginning multi-unit production with “production type” tooling. Product development process progresses through completing engineering tests and meeting quality and other product specifications.

6. BETA PROTOTYPE DESIGN (LOOKS LIKE & WORKS LIKE): Product built using scale production quality tooling, materials and processes. Bill of process developed. Ready for validation of quality in customer tests and regulatory and/or certification tests.

7. PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPED: Nearly complete use of production materials, processes, and assemblies. Product meets all the requirements for the market. Packaging & shipping in place for soft launch, and regulatory documents complete.

8. PILOT PRODUCTION: System design is complete and stable for a successful pilot production run. Materials, tooling, test equipment and facilities are proven and are available to meet the planned low rate production schedule.

9. LOW RATE PRODUCTION: All systems engineering and design requirements are met with minimal system changes required. Low-rate production complete. Manufacturing process review and efficiencies explored. Lean manufacturing improvements set in place.

10. MANUFACTURING FULL: All processes in place for commercial growth, entering production and sustainment phases. Lean practices are well established and continuous process improvements are ongoing.

Describe the specific work you are currently focused on (e.g., product development, prototyping, testing, team growth, etc.) and the limitations you are experiencing due to your current workspace setup. How would access to this space help you overcome these challenges and enable you to move forward more effectively? 400 words or less.

How will having dedicated lab or office space contribute to your company’s ability to achieve near-term and long-term milestones? What specific milestones do you anticipate reaching with the help of this resource, and how will these advancements position your company for broader success? 400 words or less.

Explain why your opportunity has not yet been realized and why now is the right time to address it.

Please list your timeline up to this point. Include any future milestones and deliverables this project would help to achieve.

Please attach any letters of intent from pilot sites or potential customers.

Optional

Size limit: 10 MB

Demographic Questions

These optional questions will help FORGE understand who we’re currently reaching, and set goals for diversity and inclusion.

What gender do you identify as?

Male

Female

Non-binary

Other

Prefer not to say

What ethnicity do you identify as?

Asian

Native American or Alaska Native

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White or European American

Hispanic or Latino

Middle Eastern/Arab

Other

Unknown

Prefer not to say

Additional Questions

If you found out about FORGE and/or this opportunity through a referral, please indicate the name or organization.

Would you like to receive periodic updates from FORGE regarding upcoming events and opportunities?

Yes