
The Challenge: Bridging the Funding Gap
To support companies facing the so-called "commercialization valley of death,” a widely-recognized funding gap that exists between early-stage support offered by angel investors and later-stage support historically provided by venture capital and strategic investors.
About InnovateMass
The InnovateMass program provides up to $350,000 in grant funding and technical support to applicant teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with a strong potential for commercialization. Successful applicants will propose projects that address important energy challenges within our four focus areas, help to grow the state’s clean energy economy, and contribute to Massachusetts’ continued clean energy leadership.
Funding Schedule
InnovateMass is a rolling funding program that operates under a quarterly deadline schedule. The next upcoming deadline will be October 2, 2023. All applications are reviewed until program funding is exhausted.
Process Step | Approximate Timing |
---|---|
Next application deadline |
October 2, 2023 |
Notification of finalist status | Within 6 weeks of deadline |
Pitch coaching for finalists | 1.5 to 3 months from deadline |
Finalists pitch | 2 to 4 months from deadline |
Final award decisions | 3 to 6 months from deadline |
Contracting concludes; projects begin | 5 to 8 months from deadline |
Who's Eligible
Eligible applicants include cleantech startup companies.
Projects must apply as an Applicant Team, which includes a “Lead Applicant” and one or more Demonstration Project Partner(s).
For full Program details, please refer to the InnovateMass Request For Proposals (RFP)
Apply
Application Process
This Program invites participation in a two-part application process:
- Submit an application
- If invited, pitch proposal to a panel of program judges
For full Program details, please refer to the InnovateMass RFP.
Application Materials
Send completed application to: innovate@masscec.com
FAQs
2021 InnovateMass Awardees

Multiscale Systems
Awarded $250,000 with $265,158 total cost share
Multiscale Systems is developing lightweight and high-strength panels for deployment in semi-trailers.

Nth Cycle, Inc.
Awarded $250,000 with $1,166,156 total cost share
Nth Cycle, Inc. will be demonstrating its electrochemical filtration technology for Li-ion battery black mass recycling.

AeroShield Materials, Inc.
Awarded $244,329 with $127,731 total cost share.
Aeroshield Materials, Inc. will be demonstrating aerogel insulated glass units for high-performance windows.