Tom Hopcroft
About Tom Hopcroft
An ecosystem catalyst, Tom Hopcroft has a track record of building communities, fostering inclusive innovation, and driving economic development. He has been instrumental in growing the tech ecosystem in Massachusetts and is credited with developing hundreds of programs, policies, and partnerships to drive change in the region. Tom has been instrumental in bringing greater diversity into boardrooms and fostering the next generation of innovators to create opportunities for businesses, tech professionals, and students. He is passionate about sustainability and committed to driving collaborations that accelerate our transition to a net zero future. An entrepreneur, Tom founded the New England Business and Technology Association, which he later merged with the Mass Software Council to form the Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC), an organization he led as president and CEO for over a decade, growing it to be the leading tech association in New England. Under his leadership, MassTLC’s revenue increased by 169% and the team grew by 200%. During his tenure, he set a goal of gender parity and 25% BIPOC leadership on the council’s Board of Trustees and worked diligently until it was achieved. He also helped create the first robotics ecosystem in the region, a dynamic cluster of robotic startups, companies, and research labs, which he helped spin out in 2015 to become MassRobotics, a leading robotics innovation center. Tom has a strong reputation in the community for igniting innovation and driving economic growth. Tom and his team have received multiple awards, including two Anthem Awards (Webby Awards), a Hermes Creative Award, a Vega Award, and two Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) Innovation Awards. He was also named twice to Improper Bostonian's "Internet Top 40" and to Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” lists. When he is not fostering communities, Tom advises leaders, serves on various boards, and holds elected positions, including president emeritus at MassTLC, board member at MassRobotics and chair of Winchester school committee. A lawyer and Massachusetts resident, he lives in Winchester with his wife, two children, and two dogs.