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Last week, Sharp Sterile Manufacturing opened its doors to a room full of local and regional community leaders. It wasn’t a ribbon cutting. It wasn’t a press event. It was a conversation. Company leaders walked us through their facility in Lee, explained the precision behind sterile fill-finish manufacturing, and — most notably — asked for input. They wanted feedback. They wanted to understand how they could better engage local suppliers, restaurants, service firms, and educa

Advanced manufacturing faces a persistent and growing workforce challenge. Engineers are trained to design systems. Technicians are trained to operate machines. But as manufacturing environments become more complex—integrating automation, robotics, digital controls, and data-driven processes—companies increasingly need professionals who can bridge the space in between. That “missing middle” is where the technologist emerges.  It is also precisely the gap the Technologist Adva

Over the past several years, the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) has grown from a promising idea into a practical platform for workforce development, applied technology, and industry collaboration. We have trained incumbent workers through our Manufacturing Academy, supported the development of dynamic startups, and built durable partnerships with employers, educators, and research institutions across Massachusetts. What we are now working toward represents the next stage o

When we opened the Berkshire Innovation Center in February 2020, our mission was straightforward: give the region’s manufacturers, engineers, technologists, and educators a shared home. At the time, advanced manufacturing and technology already played an important role in our region’s economy, but we lacked a central place to bring people together, share equipment, and run high-level training programs. The building and our organization filled that gap. Five years later, that

When we talk about the Berkshire Innovation Center’s motto—”Do More Together”—we often mean collaboration between institutions, companies, and educators.  The truth is, there are certain individuals that embody that spirit all on their own.  One such person is Rich Peters—a former long-haul truck driver turned chief scientist, now retired but busier than ever. Today, he’s one of our most dedicated instructors, teaching in both the BIC Manufacturing Academy’s STAT Program and

On October 9, the Berkshire Innovation Center will once again welcome the community for TEDx Berkshires 2025.  Key to our mission is serving as a crossroads of ideas and thought leadership—where science, creativity, and human experience come together to spark conversations that can ripple far beyond our region.  TEDx Berkshires bangs that drum as loudly as any event we host.  This will be our third TEDx Berkshires at the BIC, and the momentum continues to build.  What began a

How does the Future Innovator's program help cultivate the next generation of innovators.

This September, the Berkshire Innovation Center will launch a new education initiative in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute...

In a university lab, a graduate student uses a mobile phone to control a robotic arm on the other side of the country. A moment later, a...

At the Berkshire Innovation Center, we launched our accelerator program with a simple idea: innovation doesn't need a zip code to...

Last month I had the pleasure of representing the Berkshires on a panel at an event in Boston hosted by the Massachusetts Competitive...

On August 13, 2014, Stephen Boyd, Founding Chair of the Berkshire Innovation Center, stood before the Pittsfield City Council presenting...

I’ve long argued that Western Massachusetts is well-positioned to become a hub for domestic clean technology manufacturing.  This vision...

When we think of education, we think of students sitting at desks beginning as early as first grade.  Students attend elementary school,...

Ultimately, persistence won the day for Team Massachusetts.  In late November – three months after Massachusetts lawmakers ended their...

by Dr. Dennis Rebelo Chief Learning Officer Berkshire Innovation Center There are several vaults on the campus of MASS MoCA. I mean...

By Ben Sosne Last year, in an effort to increase access, expand our partnerships, and activate more of the connections that we have built...

By Allison Mikaniewicz TEDx Berkshires began in 2010, thanks to the leadership of Ethan and Jamie Berg and Mark Liponis, who were...

By Ben Sosne Image by Stephanie Zollshan “Conte Mechanics” team members from Conte Community School troubleshoot their robot during a...

By Ben Sosne Photo by Ben Garver This month marks five years for me as Executive Director of the Berkshire Innovation Center.  Time...