Boston, Lynn, Massachusetts (10/10/2023) – BioConnects New England (BCNE), a multi-state coalition that aims to connect hubs throughout New England to support existing and establish new biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations, and the Northeastern University Law Community Business Clinic, the university’s primary transactional law clinic that offers students real-world experience in providing free, business-related legal services to startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, recently collaborated to help community biology lab and maker space LynnLab, Inc. achieve its 501(c)(3) status.
LynnLab was created with the goal of making science accessible to all. As a community biology lab and creative maker space, LynnLab provides a learning space that offers hands-on projects with accessible, real-world applications as well as professional tools and guidance, for children, teens, and adults. LynnLab envisions a community of friends, neighbors, and professionals who share a passion for making Lynn “bio-ready” to attract new jobs to the area, young people exploring the world of life science, and independent scientists and researchers needing affordable access to high-end tools.
Currently LynnLab exists both virtually and at pop-up events in and around Lynn, Massachusetts, while the organization searches for dedicated, accessible space with room for classes, individual projects, and group events.
“Given the mission of BioConnects New England to build local capacity that brings biomanufacturing and life sciences knowledge and careers to more and more communities, it was a perfect opportunity to link up our partner LynnLab with the expertise and resources of Northeastern’s Community Business Clinic,” said Michael J. Tavilla, regional economic competitiveness officer for Northeastern University and BCNE. “At such an early stage of their growth, organizations like LynnLab have a challenge in finding the funds and services they need to get off the ground. This is a prime example of how BioConnects New England collaborates and facilitates, organizes resources and expertise, and can have real impact in underserved cities like Lynn.”
“I’m delighted we could work with BioConnects New England and bring the talents of the Community Business Clinic and our law students to assist LynnLab in receiving this important non-profit tax exemption status,” added Darryl Walton, associate clinical professor at Northeastern University and director of the Community Business Clinic. “The Clinic is committed to providing pro bono business legal services to businesses and organizations striving to do impactful work in their communities, especially in marginalized neighborhoods.
“The opportunity to work with this client helped our students develop their professional skills and experience while at the same time helping our regional and local partners achieve their goals,” continued Walton.
Don Pinkerton, president and principal organizer of LynnLab, Inc., expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by BioConnects New England and Northeastern’s Community Business Clinic. “LynnLab is thrilled and thankful to have so successfully worked with BioConnects and the Community Business Clinic to achieve our 501(c)(3) status. This is a significant step in the evolution of LynnLab that will catalyze additional funding and grant opportunities, help further redefine our approach and business model, and support the execution of our vision to make the life sciences and STEM technologies more accessible to learners of all ages.”
Through its grant challenge sponsored by the Economic Development Administration, BioConnects New England is leveraging its resources in the region to create a robust biomanufacturing industry. Massachusetts-based Northeastern University leads the coalition, which includes The Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Laboratory at Northeastern University, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the I-195 Design & Innovation District in Providence, Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island, and FocusMaine. The coalition will lead K-12 education and engagement activities, jumpstart prototyping and incubation facilities throughout the region, and invest in accessible start-up entrepreneurship programming.
ABOUT BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND
BioConnects New England is a multi-state coalition and finalist of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge—a $1 billion program sponsored by the Economic Development Administration. Through this initiative, BioConnects New England will create a biomanufacturing cluster in regions of Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island that have been historically excluded from the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance. This coalition will connect hubs throughout New England to support existing—and establish new—biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations.
For more information about BioConnects New England, please email team@bioconnectsne.com or visit https://bioconnectsne.com or @bioconnectsNE on Twitter or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bioconnects-new-england/ on LinkedIn.
