BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 14, 2026--
Suffolk Technologies today announced the seven startups selected to participate in BOOST 7, its seventh annual accelerator program for early-stage companies transforming the built environment. The 2026 cohort brings together founders working across construction operations, AI and data, design and engineering, robotics, safety, sustainability, and resilience.
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BOOST 7 saw a nearly 50% year-over-year increase in applications, creating the largest and most competitive applicant pool in the program’s history. From this group, the selected teams stood out for the strength and diversity of their backgrounds, as well as the clarity of their thinking about the industry’s most complex challenges. Each brings a distinct perspective, a willingness to challenge conventional approaches, and the right questions to engage deeply with BOOST’s Operating Partners and broader network, making them especially well positioned to maximize the program and build transformational technology for construction, real estate, and infrastructure.
BOOST 7 also marks the next phase of the program’s evolution with Jennifer Davis joining as its first Executive Director. Davis brings five years of experience leading Techstars Boston and will help guide BOOST’s programming, founder experience, and engagement with its Operating Partner network.
“We are excited to welcome our BOOST 7 cohort! Each founder is tackling a critical challenge in the built environment and developing bold new solutions for the future,” said Davis. “Together with our Operating Partner network, we’re thrilled to work alongside these exceptional founders to help bring their emerging technologies to real-world adoption and accelerate progress toward a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future. We are proud to be part of their journey and excited to see how these companies will reshape the way we design, build, and manage our physical world.”
The BOOST 7 companies will participate in an eight-week program that combines founder programming, direct engagement with Suffolk Technologies’ growing network of more than 60 Operating Partners, access to Suffolk expertise, and opportunities to explore pilots and customer relationships. The program will culminate at the BOOST 7 Demo Day, hosted at Suffolk’s Headquarters in Boston during the third annual Boston Built Week on November 18, 2026.
The BOOST 7 Cohort
Airwave: Smart safety glasses for physical work that offer hands-free video and photos, voice Q&A, and automated inspection and safety documentation.
Bear: A code-first AI construction and BIM modeling platform that turns project data into executable models for visualization, takeoffs, engineering, and procurement.
Forma Systems: A structural optimization platform that automates preliminary engineering to create code-compliant, fabrication-ready designs that reduce material use and cost, starting with precast concrete.
Memo: A voice interface for construction teams that connects to existing jobsite radios, allowing field workers to talk to their device and turn everyday voice communications into actions, alerts, and project updates.
Scale Immersive: A visualization platform that allows real estate, architecture, and construction teams to click, tap, or walk through a building before it’s built, helping stakeholders experience spaces and make decisions earlier.
Tessi: An AI-native disaster recovery platform that guides homeowners through assessments, recovery plans, funding, vetted provider matching, and restoration.
Tubender: A portable, automatic conduit-bending machine for commercial electricians that bends EMT and rigid conduit from ½-inch to 2-inch trade sizes.
Since its launch in 2020, BOOST has supported 38 companies and helped alumni founders build relationships across the built environment. BOOST alumni have raised more than $730 million, with 85% raising within 18 months after completion of the program, and have launched more than 80 pilots with industry partners.
About Suffolk Technologies
Suffolk Technologies is a venture capital platform funding the next generation of companies solving built environment challenges. Led by Managing Partners Wan Li Zhu, Jit Kee Chin, and Puneet Mahajan, Suffolk Technologies invests in early and growth-stage startups transforming the built world across real estate and development, architecture, engineering and construction, property management, infrastructure, and smart cities. Leveraging Suffolk’s expertise and broad network of industry leaders, Suffolk Technologies partners with visionary founders to accelerate industry-wide adoption of breakthrough innovations. For more information, visit SuffolkTech.com.
The seven BOOST 7 startups gathered in Boston for a Pre-Launch Program to meet with the BOOST team, set program goals, and engage with Suffolk experts and Operating Partners, including a visit to an active Suffolk jobsite.
Suffolk Technologies selected seven startups for BOOST 7, its seventh annual accelerator program for early-stage companies in construction, real estate, and infrastructure. The cohort includes Airwave, Bear, Forma Systems, Memo, Scale Immersive, Tessi, and Tubender. The program culminates at Demo Day on November 18, 2026, in Boston.
ROVANIEMI, Finland (AP) — European leaders were meeting Monday to discuss growing competition in the Arctic, where global warming is opening new shipping routes, governments are vying for vast natural resources and a Russian military buildup is heightening security concerns.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were among leaders expected for the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, a city perhaps best known for its Santa Claus village.
The two-day gathering that began Sunday comes on the heels of a Norwegian seizure of a Russian vessel earlier this month in the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at the request of Ukraine, drawing the condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters as the meetings got under way that the Arctic was “very important" for European security and prosperity, and a “clear picture” and “common understanding” were needed.
“We have natural resources. We have new sea routes because of climate change. But also we have threats. That’s why we need concrete actions,” he said. “There is so much we can do together.”
The Centres for European Policy Network, a think tank, noted the “extremely dynamic backdrop” for the summit.
It cited factors like accelerating climate change, China's growing trade through the Arctic, and conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, which has raised the importance of the Northeast Passage for maritime shipments.
The meeting serves as a “dress rehearsal” for a looming revamp of the European Union's Arctic policy expected to be released this autumn, with security at the center of the strategy for the first time, the group said.
Climate change has been thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the European bloc has been grappling with its response to U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent pressure over Greenland, a self-governing territory of EU member country Denmark. He has repeatedly said the icy, resource-rich island should be part of the United States. Greenland’s government opposes U.S. designs on the island.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered 200 million euros ($232 million) in EU support over the next two years to help Greenland tackle climate change, boost internet connections and improve hydropower plants, fisheries and education.
Separately Monday, President Alexander Stubb of Finland announced his country was joining France’s “forward deterrence” program that aims to leverage the French nuclear arsenal for European defense. Ten countries have now joined, including Britain, Germany and Finland’s Nordic neighbor countries.
From left, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, President of Romania Nicușor Dan, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal attend a press conference as part of the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Rear from left, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, President of Romania Nicușor Dan, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal attend a press conference as part of the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press conference as part of the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrives ahead of the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Members at the First Working Session of The European Arctic Summit meet in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot, from left, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Security Policy Kaja Kallas, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of the European Council António Costa, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and President of Romania Nicușor Dan pose for a family photo during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs speaks to the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda speaks with members of the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas speaks to the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz speaks to media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
