Boston TechJam 2019

Boston TechJam brought music, art, and the latest tech to City Hall Plaza. Now in its 7th year, Tech Jam still had many of the same traditions as well as new, cutting edge tech. As tradition, Boston TechJam did not allow the weather to rain on its parade. Although the rain was relentless, those entrepreneurs set up their tables and tents and despite enormous puddles of water pooling in all all sides, one participant announced, "Step right up: beachfront property here!" TechJam continues to be a tradition here in Boston.

The Battle of the Interns returned once again in which teams of interns explore Boston via a scavenger hunt. Food trucks were part of this year's jam along with the band Time Flies, who headlined.

Each year the event brings together entrepreneurs, students, and tech companies all right in the heart of the city. The event is an accelerator for both new ideas as well as innovations. For all things, tech related, be sure to mark your calendars for next June when TechJam returns to Boston!

For more information, visit: https://www.bostontechjam.com/

TechJam 2018

TechJam invaded Boston's historic Government Center bringing with it a tech block party like no other. Now in its 6th year, TechJam allowed participants to explore all aspects of technology along with music, food trucks, and interactive art experiences. The event showcases new ideas and innovations. One company brought a "Back to the 80's" theme along with neon colors, scrunchies, and....(you may have already guessed it) fanny packs!  Robots and mechanical bull riding were also included in the festivities this year.

Boston TechJam 2018

Boston TechJam 2018 to Celebrate Region’s Tech Culture & Innovation

Largest Regional Technology Festival Back for its 6^th Year

BOSTON, March 28, 2018 -- On June 14, 2018, City Hall Plaza will again be home to the annual Boston TechJam, a celebration of the technology ecosystem and culture of New England- and Boston-area entrepreneurs, startups, established tech companies, venture capitalists, non-profit organizations and higher learning institutions. The event, now in its sixth year, uniquely combines a tech block party, innovation showcase and live music to connect the community and celebrate the local startup economy.

"Boston TechJam has grown beyond anything we could have imagined when launching, in large part due to the amazing partners who’ve returned year after year to bring this celebration to the community,” said Christine Nolan, co-founder of Boston TechJam and Sr. Director of Communities at MassTLC. “It has become a massive gathering for anyone who loves technology and wants to see and be part of the vibrancy of our local ecosystem. For 2018, we’re taking over the entire City Hall Plaza space to allow for additional attendees and offer even more entertainment and engaging content like a Robotics/IoT Village.”

The event, which drew over 7,000 attendees last year, is made possible by the visionary thought leadership and financial support of underwriting sponsors Autodesk, Cengage, Chewy, Everbridge, Kronos Incorporated, Liberty Mutual, MathWorks, PTC and The Predictive Index. Additional sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are still available.

"The pace at which technology impacts our lives accelerates every day, and events like these are needed to harness new ideas and inspire people to continue to innovate,” said Jack Little, CEO of MathWorks, developers of the MATLAB technical computing software. “We’re excited to partner with Boston TechJam to showcase and celebrate the culture of innovation, collaboration and creativity this region has to offer organizations and individuals alike.”

Boston TechJam will feature live bands, appearances from entrepreneurial leaders, local craft beer, food truck fare and “street-festival”-type games and giveaways from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.

New in 2018 is an area dedicated to robots and the Internet of Things, as well as a “theater-in-the-round” – a central stage showcasing a mash-up of amazing talents of our local techies. From juggling to slam poetry to pitching the next big idea in tech, if you think you’ve got what it takes to make it onto the stage, apply to perform. 

The event is led by co-founders Christine Nolan of MassTLC and Mark Lorion of Arxan Technologies along with founding team members Dave Polcaro from East Coast Catalyst, Ben Maitland-Lewis from Pretty Instant, Dave Cutler from Influence Central and Sarah Babbitt from SHIFT Communications. 

How to Get Involved

• To register to attend and get the most up-to-date information on the schedule of events, visit www.bostontechjam.com and follow @bostontechjam (#btj2018).
• To exhibit or sponsor, contact exhibit@bostontechjam.org.
• To be considered for the “theater-in-the-round,” contact ruth@masstlc.org or complete the form here www.masstlc.org/apply-to-perform-at-boston-techjam/.
• To attend as a member of the press, contact btj@shiftcomm.com.

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About Boston TechJamBoston TechJam is a showcase and accelerator for new ideas and world-class innovations coming out of the Boston region. The event brings together early stage companies, entrepreneurs, students, established enterprises, venture capitalists and artists to celebrate the region’s technology, entrepreneurship and culture. Equal parts idea exchange and celebration, Boston TechJam is an unconventional meeting ground for local innovators, visionaries and up-and-comers. The 18+ event will take place June 14, 2018 on Boston City Hall Plaza.

Boston TechJam is supported by Autodesk, Cengage, Chewy, Everbridge, Kronos Incorporated, Liberty Mutual, MathWorks, The Predictive Index and PTC. Founding collaborators include Arxan Technologies, MassTLC, East Coast Catalyst, Pretty Instant, Influence Central and SHIFT Communications.

Media Contact:

SHIFT Communications

btj@shiftcomm.com

TechJam 2017

Local Speakers, Bands, Beer & Food Trucks to Rock Boston TechJam 2017

Speakers, Music, Food Trucks, Libations and Games Provide Entertainment as Local Tech Community Takes Over City Hall Plaza at 5^th Annual Outdoor Innovation Event

 Boston – June 6, 2017 – Boston TechJam – a celebration of the technology ecosystem and culture of New England- and Boston-area entrepreneurs, startups, established tech companies, venture capitalists, non-profit organizations and higher learning institutions – has released its 2017 content lineup!

Over 7,000 Boston TechJam attendees will gather at City Hall Plaza on Thursday, June 15 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.to join the part block party, part tech showcase. Although speakers were missing from last year’s event, Boston TechJam 2017 is bringing an exciting lineup that will feature robots, fitness and audio tech.

“Attendees have been asking for more opportunities to learn from the wealth of experience and knowledge Boston has to offer, so we’re thrilled to bring speakers back to Boston TechJam this year,” said TechJam co-founder Mark Lorion, president and GM of Apperian. “These high-caliber guests will appeal to everyone – from students just starting out to long-time, seasoned executives.”

In addition to the newly added speaker lineup, two of the area’s top bands will perform, Jack’s Abby will be pouring beer and food trucks will be lining up, creating a fun environment for networking, discovery of local innovation and idea sharing to accelerate the region’s technology ecosystem and culture. There will even be a robot at the event that may deliver you chocolates and a surprise speaker or two.   

“Boston TechJam, now in its fifth year, is a networking event unlike any other: a giant block party with innovative companies showing off their latest inventions,” said Ben Maitland-Lewis, CEO of PrettyInstant.com and Founding Music & Entertainment Director of Boston TechJam. “The incredibly fun and unique-to-the-area atmosphere really brings the community together to celebrate all that we as a city are contributing to the world.”

This year’s entertainment line-up includes:

• Speakers – Throughout the event, speakers will be discussing Boston’s audio tech scene, how MA is shaping the fitness industry, and how robots are making the world a better place. 
• Live Music – Award-winning bands will play funk, soul, R&B, pop, and reggae to keep the party grooving. Bands this year include East Coast Soul, joining Boston TechJam for their second year, andSpiritual Rez, performing their only live show in Boston before continuing on tour.
• Games and Exhibits from over 100 Local Companies – While the bands are rocking, entrepreneurs, startups, established tech companies, venture capitalists, non-profit groups and students will be checking out local innovations and enjoying fun, festival-style activities and games. The exhibiting companies will be organized as “Innovation Villages” to inspire community and networking within the event.
• Food and Libations – Attendees can stay fueled at the festival by enjoying beer from Jack’s Abby and munching on eats from a variety of Boston-favorite food trucks, including: Chubby Chickpea, Moyzilla, Rhythm & Wraps, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Sabroso Taqueria, Zo on the Go, Vice Cream, The Sausage Guy, Revelry and Collettey's Cookies.

Register for the event now at www.bostontechjam.org.

The event would not be possible without the thought leadership and financial support of underwriting sponsors Autodesk, Cengage, Chewy, Cybereason, EBSCO, Kronos Incorporated, Monster, Optum, PTC and Rapid7.

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About Boston TechJam

Boston TechJam is a showcase and accelerator for new ideas and world-class innovations coming out of the Boston region. The event brings together early stage companies, entrepreneurs, students, established enterprises, venture capitalists and artists to celebrate the region's technology, entrepreneurship and culture. Equal parts idea exchange and celebration, Boston TechJam is an unconventional meeting ground for local innovators, visionaries and up-and-comers. The 18+ event will take place June 15, 2017 on Boston City Hall Plaza.

Boston TechJam is supported by Autodesk, Cengage, Chewy, Cybereason, EBSCO, Kronos Incorporated, Monster, Optum, PTC and Rapid7. Founding collaborators include Apperian, MassTLC, East Coast Catalyst, Pretty Instant, Influence Central and SHIFT Communications, additional collaborators include BostInno, Boston New Tech, CIC, General Assembly, Launch Academy, MassChallenge, MassDiGi, MassTLC Education Foundation, MITX, Resilient Coders, SheGeeksOut, TechGen, Venture Café, WBUR and the City of Boston.

 Tech

TechJam 2016

TechJam 2016 took place on City Hall Plaza in Boston. It was an evening of all things tech including the latest in 3D printing. Models from the 3D printer were presented and had been painted.

Experian Data was on hand to pose the question, "What do you use data to do?" Individual responses were placed onto a clothesline. People were encouraged to tweet their response as well.

There was no shortage of fun as a giant game of Operation persuaded participants to try their hand at something that perhaps they had not played in well...at least a decade!

The life size Operation game is below:

Speaking of giant, City Hall Plaza is now outfitted with large hammocks for anyone's relaxation:

Refreshments abounded at TechJam including these creative cookies which I guess mean that The Red Balloon has officially been "hired!"

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

TechJam 2016 Exclusive

The Red Balloon is proud to share an exclusive Press Release from Boston'sTechJam 2016.
Please read below:

Local Bands to Rock Tech Community at Boston TechJam 2016

Music, Food Trucks, Libations and Games Provide Entertainment as Local Tech Community Takes Over City Hall Plaza at 4^th Annual Outdoor Innovation Event

Boston – May 24, 2016 – Boston TechJam, an event that combines a tech block party, innovation showcase and live music to connect the technology community’s contributors, has released its 2016 entertainment lineup. As over 5,000 Boston TechJam attendees gather at City Hall Plaza on Thursday, June 16 from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. to celebrate the tech community, two of the area’s top bands will perform, Harpoon Brewery will provide beer and food trucks will line up, creating an environment for fun networking, discovery of local innovation and idea sharing to accelerate the region’s technology ecosystem and culture.

“Boston TechJam, now in its fourth year, is a networking event unlike any other, part innovation showcase and part live concert,” said Ben Maitland-Lewis, CEO of PrettyInstant.com and Founding Music & Entertainment Director of Boston TechJam. “The entertainment really gets people up and talking to others in the community, making meaningful connections in an incredibly fun and unique-to-the-area atmosphere. Like in past years, our bands will represent multiple local tech companies and will create a great backdrop to a night of conversation and discovery.”

This year’s entertainment line-up includes:

• Live Music – From 4:00-10:00 p.m. ET, award-winning bands will play funk, soul, R&B and pop to keep the party grooving. Continuing the event’s tradition of having tech community members entertain the crowd, this year’s band members work for several Boston companies including Converse, Karmaloop, Rue La La and Wayfair. Bands this year include East Coast Soul and the nationally acclaimed Bad Rabbits, previous winners of the Boston Music Awards Artist of the Year, who will be playing their only local show this summer at BTJ.
• Games and Exhibits from Over 90 Local Companies – While the bands are rocking, entrepreneurs, startups, established tech companies, venture capitalists, non-profit groups and students will be checking out local innovations and enjoying fun, festival-style activities and games. This year, the exhibiting companies will be organized as “Innovation Villages,” to inspire community and networking within the event.
• Student Village – New for 2016, New England Venture Capital Association’s (NEVCA) TechGen program has moved its Urban Beach to Boston TechJam. Sponsored by Boston-based ed tech company Cengage Learning, the student village will feature networking and startups from many of the country’s top universities.
• Food & Libations – Attendees will stay fueled for the festival by enjoying beer from Harpoon Brewery and munching on eats from a variety of Boston-favorite food trucks, including: Chicken & Rice Guys, Taco Party Truck, Captain Marden's Cod Squad, Roxy's Grilled Cheese and The Sausage Guy.

Register for the event now at www.bostontechjam.org and be entered to win weekly prizes including an Amazon Echo from Autodesk, chargeHRs from Fitbit, Noise-Cancelling Headphones from Rocket Software, an AppleTV from PTC and a Helix Bluetooth speaker from Monster. By registering and completing actions on social media platforms to stay informed and help spread the word, you’ll also be entered into the grand prize raffle, a private party, tour and custom brewing session for up to 60 people at Harpoon Brewery. The winner will be announced at the event, and don’t forget, two-thirds of this year’s admission will support computing education in Massachusetts through the MassTLC Education Foundation.

The event would not be possible without the thought leadership and financial support of underwriting sponsors Autodesk, Constant Contact, an Endurance International Group company, Equinix, Fitbit, firstPRO, Kronos Incorporated, Monster, PTC and Rocket Software.

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About Boston TechJam

Boston TechJam is a showcase and accelerator for new ideas and world-class innovations coming out of the Boston region. The event brings together early stage companies, entrepreneurs, students, established enterprises, venture capitalists and artists to celebrate the region’s technology, entrepreneurship and culture. Equal parts idea exchange and celebration, Boston TechJam is an unconventional meeting ground for local innovators, visionaries and up-and-comers. The 18+ event will take place June 16, 2016 in Boston City Hall Plaza.

Boston TechJam is supported by Autodesk, Constant Contact, an Endurance International Group company, Equinix, Kronos Incorporated, Fitbit, firstPRO, Monster, PTC and Rocket Software. Founding collaborators include Apperian, MassTLC, East Coast Catalyst, Pretty Instant, Influence Central and SHIFT Communications, additional collaborators include and GreenHorn Connect, MassChallenge, MassDiGi, MITX, Tech Generation, the City of Boston, New England Venture Capital Association, ONEin3 Council and VentureFizz.