How are large Massachusetts businesses navigating the current economic uncertainty? What might this mean for startups? JD Chesloff, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, recently shared his insights with MFN.

The Massachusetts Business Roundtable is a public policy group comprising nearly 100 executives in various industries working across the state. Many of their companies are potential clients for MFN B2B startups.

“If you’re a B2B company, and you’re counting on a large employer for investment, and that large employer is in wait-and-see or retraction mode, it’s a difficult time. My advice is be nimble, be patient – but it’s very easy to say that.”

Chesloff noted that shifts can happen quickly. “Just look at the market’s reaction to the recent UK trade deal announcement—suddenly things moved. As more trade deals come online or supply chains adjust, the landscape could change rapidly.”

Amid this uncertainty, one major development may present opportunities: the Massachusetts Legislature recently passed a $4 billion economic development bond bill, backed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and by former Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. The bill prioritizes strategic sectors like clean technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.

Chesloff, who was a strong advocate for the bill, reflected on how its implementation may unfold: “I think there’s full speed ahead in some areas, and regrouping in others,” he said. “AI, for example, got a major investment. The state has already launched a new AI hub out of MassTech Collaborative, and there seems to be a lot of momentum behind that.”

Startups in sectors prioritized by the bill, including AI, climatetech, and advanced manufacturing, may find unique opportunities by aligning their offerings with state initiatives or tapping into programs created by agencies like Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the new AI hub.You can learn more about the state’s recently passed economic development bill in our separate Journal Story.

Uncertainty is the norm right now for both startups and their enterprise customers. While the current climate poses challenges for B2B relationships, Chesloff’s message to founders is to stay adaptable and ready to seize new opportunities as they emerge.

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