Forge
FORGE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects hardtech startups with vetted manufacturers, suppliers, and design firms across Massachusetts and Connecticut. It offers curated supplier referrals, non-dilutive Product Development Grants of $30,000–$100,000, and manufacturing education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSomerville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Forge does
FORGE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, that helps hardtech and physical-product innovators navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization. The organization operates a curated ecosystem connecting startups with vetted manufacturers, design firms, contract engineers, and suppliers, primarily across Massachusetts and Connecticut. Over 500 startups have been served across verticals including additive manufacturing, life sciences, cleantech, consumer health, biomaterials, and agricultural technology, and FORGE reports a greater-than-85% startup survival rate among supported companies versus a roughly 3% industry baseline for hardware startups.
The organization's core offerings include a Supplier Referral Program that makes curated right-fit introductions between startups and local US-based manufacturers; Product Development Grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, primarily distributed through the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund; six educational workbooks covering business model validation, supplier selection, strategic supplier meetings, design for excellence, development management, and funding innovation; and a Supply Chain CO2 Emissions Estimator tool launched in early 2025. FORGE maintains five physical offices (Somerville, Springfield, Lowell, Beverly, New Haven) and has curated more than 2,500 connections resulting in over $41 million in known contracts. The organization does not develop proprietary core technology; it operates as a service and network platform with human-curated matchmaking.
FORGE's business model is hybrid. Core services are free for startups with presence in Massachusetts or Connecticut; out-of-state companies pay an annual subscription fee capped at five Product Development Sessions per year. The bulk of FORGE's operating funding flows through grants from government entities (Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, MassDevelopment) and foundations (Cummings Foundation, Woka Foundation, Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator), supplemented by donations and ecosystem partner sponsorships. Disclosed grant inflows include a $150,000 award from the Cummings Foundation in 2023 and a $30,000 Connecticut DECD award in September 2024. Strategic ecosystem partners include MassChallenge, Greentown Labs, The Engine, UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, AdvanceCT, and 40+ additional regional collaborators.
Forge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forge
- Legal name
- FORGE
- Website
- https://forgeimpact.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FORGE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects hardtech startups with vetted manufacturers, suppliers, and design firms across Massachusetts and Connecticut. It offers curated supplier referrals, non-dilutive Product Development Grants of $30,000–$100,000, and manufacturing education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hardtech Startup Support Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM) (IMAAAJAC), Conferences, Workshops & Industry Events (AM Knowledge Sharing) (IMAAAJAL), Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)
Keywords
Where Forge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Somerville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Forge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Development Grants (Pass-through): FORGE receives funding from government entities (Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund) and foundations to distribute as non-dilutive grants to startups. These grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 for product development and manufacturing education.
- Annual Subscription (Out-of-state): Companies outside Massachusetts or Connecticut pay an annual subscription fee to access supplier referral services. Subscription grants access to up to 5 Product Development Sessions per year and auto-renews annually unless cancelled.
- Donations: FORGE accepts donations to support its mission of helping innovators with physical products navigate from prototype to commercialization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free services for MA/CT companies |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription for out-of-state companies |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Product Development Grants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Forge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FORGE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps hardtech and physical-product startups bridge the gap from prototype to commercialization through curated supplier referrals, non-dilutive Product Development Grants of $30,000 to $100,000, one-on-one Product Development Sessions, and a suite of manufacturing-readiness educational workbooks. It maintains a vetted Supply Chain Network of more than 500 manufacturers, design firms, and suppliers, primarily across Massachusetts and Connecticut, with free access for in-region startups and paid annual subscriptions for out-of-state companies. Complementary programming includes pitch competitions, startup showcases, factory tours, and a Supply Chain CO2 Emissions Estimator tool supporting climate-conscious manufacturing decisions.
Product overview
FORGE is a nonprofit organization operating as a platform of interconnected services that help innovators with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact at scale. The core offerings include Product Development Grants (non-dilutive funding of $30k-$100k), a Supplier Referral Program connecting startups with local manufacturers, and Startup Resources (educational workbooks covering business model validation, supplier selection, strategic meetings, design for excellence, development management, and funding). FORGE also maintains a Supply Chain Network of 500+ vetted manufacturers and suppliers, and offers Product Development Sessions for personalized manufacturing guidance. The ecosystem is supported by an Ecosystem Collaborators Network of regional support organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Product Development Grants
- Supplier Referral Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% startup survival rate for FORGE-supported startups vs 3% industry average hardware startup survival rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Forge
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Forge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Forge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and partner.
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)coreSupports clean energy and climate technology startups in Massachusetts. Collaborates with FORGE on ecosystem development.
- MassDevelopmentcoreMassachusetts development finance agency supporting advanced manufacturing and economic development. Provides funding and collaboration for FORGE Massachusetts programs.
- SamtecpartnerElectronics manufacturer participating in FORGE supply chain network, connecting with innovative startups for product development.
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorkspartnerProvides CAD software and 3D design tools support for FORGE ecosystem through partnership.
- Alternative Manufacturing Inc. (AMI)partnerElectronics contract manufacturer friendly to startups, making products for innovative companies including H2OK Innovations and Laminar through FORGE connections.
- Cambridge Polymer GrouppartnerMaterials testing and polymer expertise company serving FORGE startup ecosystem.
- Wolf GreenfieldpartnerIntellectual property law firm supporting FORGE ecosystem with IP expertise.
- Greentown LabscoreMajor cleantech incubator in Somerville, MA. Many FORGE startups are members. Ecosystem collaborator for startup referrals.
- MassChallengecoreGlobal accelerator with Boston presence. Ecosystem collaborator referring startups to FORGE services.
- The EnginepartnerMIT-affiliated hardtech startup accelerator focused on Tough Tech companies. Ecosystem collaborator for FORGE.
- UMass Lowell Innovation HubcoreCo-locates FORGE Merrimack Valley office. University partnership for entrepreneurship and manufacturing education.
- Springfield Technology ParkpartnerHouses FORGE Pioneer Valley office in Springfield, MA. Manufacturing hub for Western Massachusetts.
- Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)partnerEcosystem collaborator supporting Connecticut manufacturing and startup ecosystem, connected to FORGE Connecticut programs.
- MakerspaceCTpartnerConnecticut makerspace serving startup and inventor community, ecosystem collaborator with FORGE Connecticut.
- Cummings PropertiespartnerCommercial real estate in Massachusetts. Hosts FORGE North Shore office at Cummings Center in Beverly, MA.
- AdvanceCTpartnerConnecticut economic development organization, ecosystem collaborator with FORGE Connecticut programs.
- Scale for ClimateTechpartnerClimateTech accelerator that referred companies like KLAW Industries to FORGE grant programs.
- CT3DpartnerNew Britain, CT additive manufacturing company. FORGE supply chain member that receives referrals from FORGE and makes reciprocal referrals.
- CPS FluidicspartnerConnecticut-based microfluidics manufacturer. FORGE introduced AtlasXomics to CPS for manufacturing partnership, companies are 18 miles apart.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Forge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MassChallenge: Global startup accelerator with Boston presence; serves as a top-of-funnel referrer to FORGE for startups needing manufacturing support, and competes for similar founder mindshare among early-stage physical product companies.
- The Engine (MIT): MIT-affiliated Tough Tech accelerator focused on hardtech startups from discovery to commercialization—directly aligned with FORGE's hardtech mandate and part of its ecosystem collaborator network.
- Greentown Labs: Somerville-based cleantech startup incubator and FORGE referral partner; both serve hardware/climate-tech founders navigating prototype-to-commercialization, with overlapping Massachusetts-based programs and supplier connectivity.
- MassRobotics: Boston-area independent robotics innovation hub that supports physical-product hardware startups with workspace, supplier introductions, and ecosystem events—overlapping with FORGE on supplier matchmaking for hardware founders.
- NextFab: Network of makerspaces and hardware startup support centers providing prototyping facilities and supplier connections to physical-product founders—directly comparable platform for hardware innovators outside of New England.
- Artisan's Asylum: Nonprofit makerspace in Somerville, MA providing prototyping equipment, manufacturing education, and supplier referrals to hardware entrepreneurs—closely aligned mission and overlapping geographic footprint.
Broad incumbents
- CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center): Global innovation campus operator with Cambridge/Boston presence hosting hardware and life sciences startups; offers co-working, programs, and venture client services that partially overlap FORGE's supplier referral and education offerings.
- Bolt: Hardware-focused venture fund and founder development program (formerly Highway1); serves similar hardware startup founders but offers capital investment rather than FORGE's grant-based, supplier-matching nonprofit model.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with hardware-adjacent programs and Boston presence; competes with FORGE for early-stage founder engagement but at much broader scale across verticals.
Regional players
- LACI (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator): California-based cleantech incubator offering similar startup-manufacturer connectivity programs; comparable nonprofit model but operates in a different geography and primarily serves LA-area hardware founders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Forge social profiles
Digital presenceForge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Forge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forge
What does Forge do?
FORGE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps hardtech and physical-product startups bridge the gap from prototype to commercialization through curated supplier referrals, non-dilutive Product Development Grants of $30,000 to $100,000, one-on-one Product Development Sessions, and a suite of manufacturing-readiness educational workbooks. It maintains a vetted Supply Chain Network of more than 500 manufacturers, design firms, and suppliers, primarily across Massachusetts and Connecticut, with free access for in-region startups and paid annual subscriptions for out-of-state companies. Complementary programming includes pitch competitions, startup showcases, factory tours, and a Supply Chain CO2 Emissions Estimator tool supporting climate-conscious manufacturing decisions.
Is Forge a public or private company?
Forge is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forge founded?
Forge was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Forge based?
Forge is headquartered in Somerville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Forge make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Development Grants (Pass-through) is the primary driver. The others are annual Subscription (Out-of-state) and donations.
Who are Forge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MassChallenge, The Engine (MIT), Greentown Labs, MassRobotics, NextFab and Artisan's Asylum. Broad incumbents are CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), Bolt and Techstars. LACI (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator) is listed as a regional player.
Does Forge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forge.
What industry is Forge in?
Forge's product category is Hardtech Startup Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of IMAAAJAC, Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM). Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 2741.