Dear Colleague,

As we move into the final stretch of 2025, it's a great time to take stock of funding opportunities and connect with the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem. Whether you're refining your pitch, seeking non-dilutive capital, or looking to expand your network, we've pulled together the latest grant programs, resources, and upcoming events to help you close out the year strong.

Programs & Grants

InnovateMass - Administered by MassCEC, InnovateMass 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. Appy by October 20th.

BlueSwell Cohort VI - Applications for Cohort VI are currently open. Apply by October 22nd.

Activate Fellowship - Applications for the next cohort of fellowships are currently open. Apply by October 28th.

Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) – Administered by MOBD, EDIP is a tax incentive program through which participating companies may receive state tax credits in exchange for full-time job creation, job retention, and private investment commitments in Massachusetts. Apply by November 5th for December Meeting.

AmplifyMass - Administered by MassCEC, AmplifyMass can cover up to $300K in cost-share support for Massachusetts climatetech startups and research teams. Apply by November 13th.

2035 Fund - Administered by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), the 2035 Fund includes several programmatic initiatives (see below). Info session 10/23. Apply by November 21st.

• Accelerating Research through Collaboration (ARC) Awards
• Research Infrastructure and Equipment
• Frontiers Fund
• Women’s Health Initiative

BioBoost Manufacturing Scale-Up Program – Administered by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), BioBoost supports companies creating or expanding their biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing presence in Massachusetts. Info session 10/22. Apply by November 21st.

Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) Grants - Administered by MassTech Collaborative, MMAP aims to help Massachusetts-based small- to medium-sized manufacturers prepare their businesses to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 and the manufacturing of new technologies and innovations that align with key industries in the state. Opening this fall. Learn more.

Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) Grants - Administered by MassTech Collaborative, M2I2 provides state grant funding to help Massachusetts innovators who are ready to begin manufacturing their hardtech technologies. Submit Concept Papers by January 5th, 2026.

Founders School – Administered by MassVentures, Founders School is a pre-accelerator program for underrepresented deep tech founders. It provides each fellow with an individualized mentorship and coaching experience that will maximize their success. Apply by January 17th, 2026.

Internship Programs - Startups in Massachusetts may be eligible to hire interns through one of the programs run by MassCEC, MLSC  or MassTech. Visit each organization's website for details and deadlines.

NEMC Propel - The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition’s PROPEL (Powering Regional Opportunities for Prototyping Microelectronics) Program provides up to $4M in grants to cover services like prototyping development, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool licenses and patent filing. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Workforce Training Fund Program – Administered by CommCorp, WTFP provides resources to Massachusetts businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees. Learn more and apply.

Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program - Administered by the Mass Cyber Center, this program provides grants to small businesses in Massachusetts to fund Managed Detection and Response (MDR) from CyberTrust Massachusetts. Grants provide up to $25,000 to fund MDR for up to 3 years. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

National Guard Hiring Tax Credit Program (NGHTC) – Administered by MOBD, NGHTC makes available a $2,000 tax credit to employers with less than 100 employees that hire active members of the Massachusetts National Guard. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 

Events

OCTOBER 🗓️

Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up (October 21) – Join MassTech Collaborative for a day filled with innovation, collaboration and networking at Gillette Stadium. Connect with industry leaders and explore cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of manufacturing. Foxborough. Register.

ACT Webinar Series (October 23) - Join The Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT) for their series with Shalaya Morissette on how diverse businesses & communities can thrive in the clean energy transition. Online. Register.

Blueprint Showcase (October 24) – Join The Engine for the fall showcase, an opportunity to see participants present their work, receive feedback, and connect with stakeholders relevant to their next steps. Cambridge. Learn more.

Tough Tech Week (October 27-31) – Organized by The Engine, Tough Tech Week features a variety of events. Cambridge and Boston. View events and register.

Tough Tech Summit (October 28) – Join The Engine and tough tech startups, investors, and select ecosystem leaders for a day of pitches, panels, and thoughtful discussions—plus a startup showcase and high-impact networking. Boston. Register.

Climatetech Founders Networking Breakfast (October 31) - Join Greentown Labs to wrap up Tough Tech Week over breakfast, coffee, and great conversation. Somerville. Register.

WPI Startup Showcase (October 31) – Join WPI’s Office of Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship to meet emerging founders. Cambridge. Register.

NOVEMBER 🗓️

FORGE Fall Startup Showcase (November 5) - Join over 200 attendees to celebrate the local hardtech innovation community. Waltham. Register.

Ignite Golden Ticket Pitch Event (November 6) – Join LabCentral for the fifth annual Ignite Golden Ticket contest for an evening of finalist pitches and networking. Cambridge. Register.

Climate Tech Summit (November 6) - Join Greentown Labs for a day of hands-on exploration of climatetech solutions from dozens of startups, insightful keynotes and discussions with industry leaders, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Somerville. Register.

Pitch-to-Portfolio Competition (November 13) – Join the Mansfield Bio-Incubator for an exciting day of life science innovation, networking and opportunity. Mansfield. Register.

Medtech Sustainability Forum (November 13) – Join ACTION Innovation Network for a day focused on ASCs and Robotics for Patients, Performance and Planet. Boston. Register.

The Eddies Awards Ceremony (November 19) - Join Mass Innovation Network for the celebratory wrap up of their 2025 Innovation Season. Plenty of networking over dinner and drinks, salute to the 2025 Eddies finalists, and announcement of the six $10,000 award winners. Burlington. Register.

MassBio Summit R&D Reimagined (November 20) - Join MassBio for a dynamic, full-day event designed to connect MassBio members with the industry leaders transforming the life sciences with new technologies and services. Cambridge. Register.

UMass LIFT Final Presentations (November 20) – Join this event for a fireside chat and see 12 fellows pitch bold solutions in aging and Alzheimer’s. Lowell. Register.

DECEMBER 🗓️

13th Annual NEVY Awards (December 11) – Join NEVCA to celebrate the startup and venture ecosystem. Boston. Buy Tickets.

Stay up to date on new events, grant programs and opportunities by following MassVentures on LinkedIn.

Thank you for being a part of the MassVentures ecosystem. 

Warm regards,

Whitney Leslie

Portfolio Analytics & Investor Relations, MassVentures

MassVentures supports the state’s innovation economy and economic growth initiatives by helping to transfer research and early stage innovations to viable technology businesses and jobs.