CriticalMass | MassCEC

MassCEC / Tech to Market / Funding / CriticalMass

The Challenge

Growth-stage climatetech startups face distinct challenges, including significant capital needs, regulatory complexity, and customer adoption barriers, as they scale from pilot projects to commercial deployments. Sustained support is critical—without it, startups struggle to penetrate markets and build the financial momentum required for lasting success.

About CriticalMass

CriticalMass, MassCEC’s latest growth-stage Tech-to-Market program provides up to $1,000,000 in grant funding, specialized services, and partner matchmaking to startup applicants with strong track records of early-stage commercialization and successful demonstration projects. Successful applicants will propose commercial deployment projects that address important decarbonization challenges within MassCEC's four focus areas, help to grow the state’s clean energy economy, and contribute to Massachusetts’ continued clean energy leadership.

Who's Eligible

Startup companies interested in deploying their TRL 8+ climatetech Innovations in Massachusetts are invited to apply to CriticalMass.

Open

Award Potential

$1,000,000

Application Deadline

September 22, 2025

Apply

Questions? Contact

Funding Schedule

Annual Solicitations - One Application Period per Year.

Process Step	Timing
Informational Webinar	July 23, 2025
Questions Submission Deadline	July 30, 2025
Concept Paper Deadline	August 20, 2025
Notification of Finalist Status	Within 8 Weeks of Annual Application Deadline
Application Deadline	September 22, 2025
Final Award Decisions	Approximately 6 Months From Annual Deadline
Contracting Concludes; Projects Begin	Approximately 2 Months From Award Notification

Apply

Application Process

Please review the Official Request for Proposals prior to submitting an application. Concept Papers are submitted to Project Partners who are referenced in the Request for Proposals Appendix. Project Partners review Concept Papers and invite applicants to submit full applications.