InnovateMass Program

InnovateMass Program is a grant from Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that funds clean energy startup companies navigating the commercialization valley of death — the funding gap between early-stage angel investment and later-stage venture capital.

Awards range from $150,000 to $350,000 in grant funding plus technical support for teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with strong commercialization potential. Projects must address key energy challenges in four focus areas and contribute to Massachusetts' clean energy economy.

Eligible applicants are climatetech startup companies that have a completed prototype and must apply as an Applicant Team with at least one Demonstration Project Partner. The most recent deadline was March 9, 2026.

MassCEC / Tech to Market / Funding / InnovateMass 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.

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. This round of InnovateMass includes a “Gridtech Spotlight” opportunity -- a chance to partner with a Massachusetts electric utility on a grid technology (“Gridtech”) demonstration.

Full details are in the Request for Proposals and Project Partner Appendix. We're excited that you're learning about one of our programs! Please also use Massachusetts' Business Front Door service, which suggests additional state resources every step of the way as your company grows.

Eligible applicants include climatetech 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) InnovateMass is a rolling funding program that operates under a trimester deadline schedule.

The deadline for the current round is March 9, 2026. If you are submitting under the Gridtech Spotlight (details in the RFP), concept papers are due to Project Partners by January 12, 2026. For full Program details, please refer to the InnovateMass RFP.

Concept paper submission deadline (for Gridtech Spotlight applicants only) Next application deadline Notification of finalist status Pitch coaching for finalists Late April - Late May 2026 Contracting concludes; projects begin This standard Program invites participation in a two-part application process: If invited, pitch proposal to a panel of program judges For those participating in the GridTech Spotlight, there is a three-part application process: If invited, pitch proposal to a panel of program judges For full Program details, please refer to the InnovateMass RFP.

Please fill out and submit your full application on this platform . A preview of the on-line application can be found at the end of the RFP in Attachment A. This is a sample for reference only.

InnovateMass RFP (Jan 2026) Appendix A - Project Partner Appendix The Massachusetts Founder Network aims give Massachusetts startup founders equitable access to resources that will help their companies grow. Learn about Incubators and Accelerators in Massachusetts.

2024 InnovateMass Awardees Manufacturing Ultracapacitator Activated Carbon for the Just Energy Transition Awarded $244,458 with $122,916 in total cost share florrent is an advanced materials company pioneering bio-derived activated carbon technology to develop high-energy-density ultracapacitors, enabling affordable and efficient energy storage solutions for power generation, transportation, and industrial sectors, while promoting environmental justice through a sustainable supply chain powered by hemp biomass.

Diesel Exhaust Emissions Reduction Awarded $220,000 with $130,000 in total cost share STec Technology, Inc. is advancing its Reactive Cyclical Induction (RCI) System, which reduces CO 2 and NO x emissions from diesel marine engines, with pilot testing on a 265HP engine in New Bedford Harbor and plans to scale to a 2000HP fishing vessel.

PowerUp Mass: Community-Based EV Charging for Affordable Housing Awarded $335,500 with $208,300 in total cost share Matcha Electric is a Boston-based technology company delivering turnkey EV charging solutions for multifamily properties, with initiatives like "PowerUp Mass" installing no-cost chargers in affordable housing communities to make clean transportation accessible and advance EV adoption in underserved areas.

Decarbonizing Crop Protection with Cold Plasma Awarded $350,000 with $176,541 in total cost share Clean Crop Technologies uses cold plasma to remove pathogens from seeds, enhancing yields, reducing food waste, and improving food safety with only electricity and air, and is piloting its Clean Current technology with Chang Farm to validate its commercial readiness in the sprout production sector. Frequently Asked Questions 1.

How do I know if my technology qualifies as climatetech under this program?

“…advanced and applied technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of energy from non-renewable sources including, but not limited to: (i) energy efficiency; (ii) demand response; (iii) energy conservation; or (iv) technologies powered, in whole or in part, by the sun, wind, water, geothermal energy, including networked geothermal and deep geothermal energy, hydrogen produced by non-fossil fuel sources and methods, alcohol, fuel cells, fusion energy, nuclear fission or any other renewable, nondepletable or recyclable fuel…” …advanced and applied research in new clean energy technologies including: (i) solar photovoltaic; (ii) solar thermal; (iii) wind power; (iv) geothermal energy, including networked geothermal and deep geothermal energy; (v) wave and tidal energy; (vi) advanced hydropower; (vii) energy transmission and distribution; (viii) energy storage; (ix) renewable biofuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and advanced biofuels; (x) renewable, biodegradable chemicals; (xi) advanced thermal-to-energy conversion; (xii) fusion energy; (xiii) hydrogen produced by non-fossil fuel sources and methods; (xiv) carbon capture and sequestration; (xv) energy monitoring; (xvi) green building materials; (xvii) energy efficiency; (xviii) energy-efficient lighting; (xix) gasification and conversion of gas to liquid fuels; (xx) industrial energy efficiency; (xxi) demand-side management; and (xxii) fuel cells; and (xxiv) nuclear fission; provided, however, that ''clean energy research'' shall not include advanced and applied research in coal, oil, natural gas… …and any other advanced and applied technologies that contribute to the decarbonization of the economy, reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or mitigate the impact of climate change through adaptation, resiliency, and environmental sustainability” (See M.

G. L. c.

23J § 1 as amended pursuant Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022 “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind ” and as further amendment pursuant “ An Act Relative to Strengthening Massachusetts’ Economic Leadership ” and “ An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers ”) Please note that technologies related to coal, oil, woody biomass, natural gas (except where used in fuel cells) will not be considered Climatetech for purposes of this RFP.

2. What qualifies as a Massachusetts-based company? Please refer to section III.

Eligibility of the RFP for complete eligibility requirements.

To qualify as a Massachusetts-based company, the company currently has and will maintain throughout the course of the Project a majority of the following in Massachusetts (i.e., if four (4) apply, then three (3) must be in Massachusetts, and if three (3) apply, at least two (2) must be based in Massachusetts): company headquarters (primary executives located in Massachusetts); primary research and development operations; primary manufacturing operations; and primary sales & marketing office.

3. May entities submit more than one Application? Applicants may submit up to two different projects per round, with different project partners.

4. How many letters of support does a typical applicant have? At least one letter from a committed Demonstration Partner is required.

Applicants usually provide a total of 1 to 3 letters of support. These are typically from project partners, such as a manufacturing partner or investor. 5.

What role does the third-party technical support from MassCEC play? The Technical Consultant will meet regularly with awardees to review workplans, discuss and resolve technical and other project-related barriers, and review performance monitoring and evaluation plans. They act as the day-to-day project managers representing MassCEC.

MassCEC meets with the TA on a monthly basis to get a project status update on each awardee. 6. If a company has won an InnovateMass grant previously, is it eligible to apply again?

Previous InnovateMass Awardees may apply to the Program only if they are proposing a technology that is new and distinct from that in the previously awarded project.

In the Application, the Lead Applicant must explain how the project and product in this current proposal are meaningfully different than the previous InnovateMass product and project (from a technology and/or market perspective) and how these additional InnovateMass funds will be critical to the company’s overall success and the commercialization of the product moving forward.

In addition, the previous InnovateMass project must be completed before applying for a different InnovateMass grant. 7. What is a “Total Addressable Carbon” analysis?

The TAC is an estimate of the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or the avoidance of future GHG emissions achievable given widespread use of the technology/innovation.

While addressing the greenhouse gas mitigation potential, it is recommended that applicants reference MassCEC’s Total Addressable Carbon (TAC) analysis or other credible public data sources such as the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Emissions Inventory (especially for greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide), the EPA's Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator , and others.

You may also use MassCEC’s Emissions Reduction Analysis instructions and the corresponding template as tools, in order to quantify the GHG emissions that can be reduced, avoided, or remediated.

Other quantification methods include but are not limited to potential megawatt-hours of clean energy generated, tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided or captured, energy savings compared to existing or alternative technology(ies), efficiency improvement over existing technology(ies).

Applicants are encouraged to quantify and/or describe of the potential to mitigate impacts of climate change through adaptation and resiliency (A&R), and consider environmental sustainability (for example, using indicators across social, economic, and environmental impacts).

MassCEC acknowledges that quantifying A&R is an emerging field, and we recommend utilizing the 2023 ResilientMass Plan , as well as the World Economic Forum and FEMA’s BCA Toolkit etc. for toolkits and guidance." Further information can be found in section VI. Of the application form.

8. What is a Public Benefit Site (PBS) and what are the PBS requirements?

"Public Benefit" Project Sites are defined as any of the following: Massachusetts publicly owned facilities Low/moderate income (LMI) buildings in MA Single-family residential homes that are owned by residents that meet less than sixty percent (60%) and have deed restriction and/or fuel assistance verification • Multifamily affordable housing buildings that have an eligibility letter from the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN)’s Low-Income Multifamily (LIMF) Energy Retrofits Program; or A deed restriction that explicitly states the development has reserved at least fifty percent (50%) of the units for households earning eighty percent (80%) or less of state median income o A site that is physically located in a MA-based Gateway City or Environmental Justice community or is in an underserved geographic region (i.e., such as Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires, or Cape Cod).

"Public Benefit" Project Sites are eligible for a reduced cost share of 25%. Please refer to Section I. of the RFP for more details.

9. Are visuals allowed in the application? Yes, visuals are allowed in the application.

Please note that if you add images, the page limit requirement still needs to be met. 10. Are hardware and software technologies evaluated differently?

No, hardware and software technologies are evaluated using the same criteria and InnovateMass funds both types of technologies. In the application, please make it clear the challenges you face in developing and commercializing either type of technology. 11.

Is the funding amount and employee count guideline a strict eligibility requirement? No, this is a suggested guideline for best fit for the program, but companies are welcome to apply if they do not fit into the suggested guidelines.

MassCEC / Tech to Market / Funding / InnovateMass Additional Funding Opportunities Innovation Ecosystem Program (IEP) Track 1: Up to $120k Programming Support Track 2: Up to $120k Programming Support + $900K Entrepreneur Fellowship Grant Concept Paper Deadline: Tuesday January 13, 2026 by 5 pm ET Full Application Deadline: Tuesday March 17, 2026 by 5 pm ET Clean Energy Internship Program for Employers High Performance Buildings Renewable Energy Generation $4,320/intern for Fall or Spring session; $8,640/intern for Summer session or for Construction, Installation, and Maintenance High Performance Buildings Additional Funding Opportunities Offshore Wind Works - Workforce Training & Development Grants Program Area Offshore Wind, Workforce Application Deadline: April 17, 2026 Green School Works Grants Program Area High Performance Buildings Award Potential: $50,000-$5,000,000 Application Deadline: February 13, 2026 Program Area Technology to Market Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 11:59PM Stay connected to Massachusetts' clean energy scene.

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