Laura Teicher, the president and executive director of FORGE, leads the 501(c)3 nonprofit on its mission to help innovators with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact – at scale.
FORGE uniquely accelerates path to deployment for emerging hardtech companies by supporting the physical build of innovative solutions. Working collaboratively with incubators, accelerators, and universities across the ecosystem, FORGE provides targeted product development and manufacturing education, paired with curated connections to relevant local suppliers and resources – democratizing access to technical derisking and scaled production.
In her role, Teicher is responsible for FORGE’s organizational impact, strategy, and sustainability. Under her leadership, FORGE has reached nearly 800 startups served, with an incredible 20% in mature production today.
In 2023, Teicher was recognized as one of the Boston Business Journal’s 40 under 40. Prior to joining FORGE, Laura served as executive director of the Boston chapter of TiE – the largest global network dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. Her unique background includes experience in the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Before joining TiE, she managed business operations at a scaling financial firm, while serving as President of the Boston professional chapter of Net Impact. She has also served as an aide to the Massachusetts state senate.
Laura earned her M.B.A. from Boston University and holds degrees in English literature and studio art. She currently serves on the board of directors of ClimateXChange, a recognized leader in climate and economic policy research, providing policy makers and advocates with the information they need to achieve a clean energy future that works for everyone.
