One of the most meaningful things we do at MTLC is honor a leader who has dedicated their time, effort, and hard-won lessons to making lasting positive change in the Massachusetts tech ecosystem — and often far beyond it.
Over the years, we’ve recognized visionaries like Bill Warner, John Landry, and Dan Bricklin; Turing Award winners Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Michael Stonebraker; and global leaders including Pam Reeve, George Hatsopoulos, and John Cullinane. The list goes on, and every name on it carries weight.
This year, we’ll be honoring Colin Angle, without whom Massachusetts would not be the robotics powerhouse it is today.
What unites every Commonwealth Award recipient isn’t just that they built successful companies or developed world-changing technologies. It’s that they turned around and shared what they learned. They mentored. They gave their time to people who went on to build and lead companies of their own. That’s what makes them true change makers.
Boston is incredibly lucky to have had these individuals, but here’s what often goes unsaid: we have so many more leaders just like them, right now, who are willing to share, volunteer, and mentor. This region is uniquely positioned because of its density. People here may have their heads down working on hard problems, but they will lift them up for you if you ask.
And yet I don’t see enough early-stage founders asking.
Critical thinking requires more than consulting your inner circle of investors or your immediate network. It means actively seeking out people who have already navigated the terrain you’re on. The founders who grow fastest aren’t just the ones with the best ideas. They’re the ones who are humble enough to seek guidance from those who have built before them and wise enough to recognize that the Massachusetts ecosystem is full of people who genuinely want to help.
If you’re an early-stage founder reading this, I’d encourage you to look beyond your immediate network. Come to the table, ask hard questions, and take advantage of what this community has built. The resources are here. The people are here. The only thing missing, sometimes, is you.
If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to me directly. I’ve spent my career connecting people in this ecosystem and nothing makes me happier than making an introduction that changes the trajectory of someone’s company. You can find me here. Let’s talk.
