The 2025 Tough Tech Summit returns on October 28 at Hotel Commonwealth in Boston.
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About the Event
Join Tough Tech startups, investors, and select ecosystem leaders for a day of pitches, panels, and thoughtful discussions—plus a startup showcase and high-impact networking.
A cornerstone of Tough Tech Week (October 27–31), the Summit will feature the next generation of Tough Tech pioneers and explore how we scale solutions while supporting those just beginning their journeys.
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The Details
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hotel Commonwealth
500 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA 02215
- Featured Companies
- 55
- Speakers
- 54
- Founder Pitches
- 32
- Annual Summit
- 8
Tough Tech Summit Host Committee
Sponsors
Agenda
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration
Coffee and light morning fare will be available.
9:00 AM - 9:25 AM | Welcome Remarks
Featuring Emily Knight, CEO & President, The Engine
9:25 AM - 10:00 AM | Opening Fireside Chat
An opening perspective on the state of Tough Tech from biotech & cleantech investment vantage.
- Peter Kolchinsky, Co-founder & Managing Partner, RA Capital
- Kyle Teamey, Managing Partner, RA Capital Planetary Health
10:10 AM - 10:50 AM | Accelerating Tough Tech through AI and Automation
The combination of AI and robotics is creating new opportunities in discovery and innovation, from molecules to materials.
- Akhila Kosaraju, CEO, Phare Bio
- Bob Gantzer, VP, Next Gen Platform, Lila Sciences
- Nabiha Saklayen, CEO, Cellino
- Amy Nordrum, Executive Editor, MIT Technology Review (Moderator)
10:10 AM - 10:50 AM | Accelerating Tough Tech through Strategic Partnerships
A growing number of landmark agreements between corporations and startups are paving the way for industrial innovation.
- Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner, Engine Ventures
- Mateo Jaramillo, CEO & Co-Founder, Form Energy
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1A: Energy Production, Storage, Efficiency
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Fireside chat with RA Capital and AM Batteries
- Kathryn Meng, Investment Director, RA Capital Planetary Health
- Yan Wang, Co-Founder and President, AM Batteries
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: 7 rapid-fire startup pitches
- Addis Energy
- Emvolon
- Graphitic Energy
- Terra Fusion Energy Corporation
- Sizable Energy
- Renewell Energy
- XERA Energy
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1B: Advanced Systems, AI, Compute
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Fireside chat with Playground Global and Vertical Horizons
- Rahul Meka, Principal, Playground Global
- Cynthia Liao, CEO, Vertical Horizons
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: 7 rapid-fire startup pitches
12:00 - 12:45 PM | Investor-Startup Networking
Startups rotate through investor tables for short, focused conversations.
12:45 - 1:15 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | 2A: Sustainability, Materials, Food, Agriculture
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM: Fireside chat with Breakthrough Energy and Brimstone
- Jim Cabot, Partner, Breakthrough Energy
- Cody Finke, CEO, Brimstone
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM: 7 rapid-fire startup pitches
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | 2B: Health and Biotech
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM: Fireside chat with SOSV and Flow Neuroscience
- Duncan Turner, General Partner, SOSV
- Erin Sivyer Lee, CEO, Flow Neuroscience
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM: 7 rapid-fire startup pitches
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM | Reflections & Afternoon Preview
- Hyundo Kwon, Principal, Honda Xcelerator Ventures
3:00 PM - 3:40 PM | Financing Strategies for Cleantech Startups
Current cleantech funding faces a critical gap between early-stage seed rounds and full commercial deployment. This panel will explore how corporate partnerships, strategic investments, and specialized banking products can bridge this funding chasm, particularly for capital-intensive projects.
- Matt Perlow, Managing Director, HSBC Innovation Banking (Moderator)
- Joe Hicken, SVP, Business Development and Policy, Sublime Systems
- Ally Yost, SVP, Corporate Development, Commonwealth Fusion Systems
3:45 PM - 4:25 PM | The New Space Economy
- Ariel Ekblaw, CEO + Founder, Aurelia Institute
- Colonel Lee Rosen, USAF, Ret., CEO & Co-Founder, Think Orbital
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Startup Showcase
Explore 35 more breakthrough technologies and connect directly with startup teams during this closing exhibition showcase.
Secure Your Seat
Express interest in this by-invitation-only event. Space is limited.
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