Forge

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.

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

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

• Hardtech startup support
• Manufacturing supplier network
• Non-dilutive product grants
• Supplier referral services
• Manufacturing readiness education

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Donations: FORGE accepts donations to support its mission of helping innovators with physical products navigate from prototype to commercialization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and partner.

• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports clean energy and climate technology startups in Massachusetts. Collaborates with FORGE on ecosystem development.
• MassDevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts development finance agency supporting advanced manufacturing and economic development. Provides funding and collaboration for FORGE Massachusetts programs.
• SamtecpartnerTechnology or IntegrationElectronics manufacturer participating in FORGE supply chain network, connecting with innovative startups for product development.
• Dassault Systemes SolidWorkspartnerTechnology or IntegrationProvides CAD software and 3D design tools support for FORGE ecosystem through partnership.
• Alternative Manufacturing Inc. (AMI)partnerTechnology or IntegrationElectronics contract manufacturer friendly to startups, making products for innovative companies including H2OK Innovations and Laminar through FORGE connections.
• Cambridge Polymer GrouppartnerTechnology or IntegrationMaterials testing and polymer expertise company serving FORGE startup ecosystem.
• Wolf GreenfieldpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntellectual property law firm supporting FORGE ecosystem with IP expertise.
• Greentown LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor cleantech incubator in Somerville, MA. Many FORGE startups are members. Ecosystem collaborator for startup referrals.
• MassChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal accelerator with Boston presence. Ecosystem collaborator referring startups to FORGE services.
• The EnginepartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT-affiliated hardtech startup accelerator focused on Tough Tech companies. Ecosystem collaborator for FORGE.
• UMass Lowell Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-locates FORGE Merrimack Valley office. University partnership for entrepreneurship and manufacturing education.
• Springfield Technology ParkpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouses FORGE Pioneer Valley office in Springfield, MA. Manufacturing hub for Western Massachusetts.
• Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator supporting Connecticut manufacturing and startup ecosystem, connected to FORGE Connecticut programs.
• MakerspaceCTpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecticut makerspace serving startup and inventor community, ecosystem collaborator with FORGE Connecticut.
• Cummings PropertiespartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial real estate in Massachusetts. Hosts FORGE North Shore office at Cummings Center in Beverly, MA.
• AdvanceCTpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecticut economic development organization, ecosystem collaborator with FORGE Connecticut programs.
• Scale for ClimateTechpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimateTech accelerator that referred companies like KLAW Industries to FORGE grant programs.
• CT3DpartnerTechnology or IntegrationNew Britain, CT additive manufacturing company. FORGE supply chain member that receives referrals from FORGE and makes reciprocal referrals.
• CPS FluidicspartnerTechnology or IntegrationConnecticut-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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/FORGEimpact
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forgeimpact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forge