Startups

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has rolled out what it calls is the country's first social equity program for the marijuana industry.

A ceremony held at the former B.F. Brown School was a chance for officials and development partners to mark the latest stage in what is seen as a revitalization of the city's downtown.

For the first week, the stores reported a combined 56,380 products sold and an average of just under $40. Customers are averaging 3.4 products per transaction.

The WBJ and Worcester Regional Research Bureau embarked on a monthslong look at the impact of immigrant businesses in Worcester. The project found foreign-born residents make up 36 percent of the city's business owners.

The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center will establish a new center to help those working on new technologies to fight heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders.

For the first year, the U.S. Small Business Administration brought its Emerging Leaders program to Worcester, the agency announced Tuesday.

A focus group found foreign-born entrepreneurs weren't as connected as they could be to resources. The city and its partners say helping such businesses is a priority.

Immigrants in Worcester are more likely than native citizens to start their own business and have bachelor's degrees, giving them a disproportionate share of the economy.

WBJ this year partnered with our friends over at the Worcester Regional Research Bureau to learn more about the historic and modern impacts immigrants had in our city.

Seven entities in Central Massachusetts have received a share of $2.2 million in state grants to help spur entrepreneurship and small businesses.