Massachusetts Has Two Of The Best Startups Of 2023
For the past seven years, LinkedIn has analyzed various data points to compile a report of the best new businesses across the country. Yesterday, the 2023 edition was released, and two Massachusetts companies were named among the best startups.
Innovation is one of the primary requirements that LinkedIn looks for. “This year’s honorees have trailblazed their way through recent economic and workplace challenges — and managed to stand out to investors and top talent along the way,” they say.
The categories studied to compile this list include jobseeker interest, employee growth, engagement within the company and its employees, and how well the startups found talent from the LinkedIn Top Companies list (which was published in April).
Although the industries include everything from financial services, to software, to food and beverage, the 50 startups on this list do have a mission in common. LinkedIn describes it as, “actionable insights on the roles, skills and functions in demand.”
So, where do you need to go in Massachusetts to find the best startups of 2023? Well, both happen to be in Boston.
#29 Overjet – software development
Overjet describes their business model as “improving lives with dental AI.” This organization currently has 120 employees. They pride themselves on being the dental industry’s global leader in artificial intelligence. They are located at 560 Harrison Ave, in Boston. Currently, Overjet has 20 open opportunities to join their team.
#5 Cohere Health – software development
Although technically, Cohere Health is in a different industry, they are also AI-driven. Their approach, however, is to leverage AI to transform “utilization management and prior authorization from an inefficient burden into a strategic asset,” they say. Since 2019, Cohere Health has built to approximately 570 employees. Their headquarters is located at 239 Causeway St. in Boston. They currently have 23 career openings.
Boston was the only New England market that is the home to some of the best small businesses of 2023. The only other market in the northeast outside of Massachusetts was New York City, which had 14 of the 50 best startups, according to LinkedIn.
Massachusetts Brewery Is Crushing It With Their Merchandise
“We have been given the name of Merch King Kong by our peers,” Dino Funari, founder of Vitamin Sea Brewing says. That is because this brewery has some of the most recognizable merchandise in Massachusetts.
Chances are you’ve seen (or have) a hat or t-shirt that sports the branding “VSB,” “South Shore,” “Sea,” an ocean/sunrise vector, or a duck on it. That’s all Vitamin Sea Brewing. In fact, some of their items are so popular they fly off the shelf as soon as they are stocked. Furthermore, you can’t buy them online. They are all purchased onsite.
Weymouth, MA
Vitamin Sea Brewing opened in February of 2019. Their taproom (and headquarters) in Weymouth features twelve taps covering a wide range of craft beer styles. IPAs and stouts are also available to purchase in cans. Some of the beers vary per season, while others are more standard. The Summer IPA, currently on tap, for example, is hopped with Citra, Cascade, and Columbus hops. In addition, on tap number 12, you will find Seas and Desist Blueberry Lemonade. This is Vitamin Sea’s take on hard seltzer.
Their location has a beer garden feel where outdoor seating is available, and they typically partner with food trucks onsite at least three days per week. If you go inside VSB’s Weymouth home base, you will find a colorful wall of t-shirts adjacent to the bar and rack of hats, jackets, sweatshirts and more along the right-side wall.
The Merch Line
“Our marketing strategy happened organically. Well before we opened, I was handing out hats, t-shirts, pins, and stickers to get the word out. And it paid off. We’re constantly asked to advertise monetarily, but we see more value in getting our merch out to people or groups (musicians, athletes, media personalities) with their own audiences and fan bases, which introduces them to our brand,” Funari explains, about VSB’s intent to create such merch.
They have one of New England’s more recognizable logos. Whether you are walking in downtown Portland, ME or attending the Levitate Music and Artist Festival in Marshfield, it is likely you will see the Vitamin Sea round logo or duck along the way. People are proud to represent the passion that Vitamin Sea pours into everything they do. Wearing their gear also shows pride in where you are from.
Here, Funari will take us inside the taproom to provide some insight into this killer Vitamin Sea Brewing merch.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
