Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)  announced $1.4 million in funding for 12 organizations through its Innovation Ecosystem Program, which provides critical funding to support Massachusetts’ growing network of climatetech Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs). These grants will empower ESOs to expand services, strengthen infrastructure, and increase support for early-stage climatetech startups.

“The world looks to Massachusetts for innovative solutions to our planet’s toughest challenges,” said Governor Maura Healey. That’s because we value the groundbreaking work and the significant economic impact of entrepreneurs and researchers. We’re going to continue to invest in the innovators and companies who are leading new discoveries in climatetech.”

“Whether it’s a downtown business incubator or one of our world-class university innovation hubs, the organizations that help businesses grow are indispensable to our local economies,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Their expertise and experience will be valuable assets as we strive to create thousands of climatetech jobs across the state.”

“These grants are a smart and strategic investment in the organizations that support our state’s most promising climate entrepreneurs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Supporting the early-stage development of climatetech companies helps us accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy.”

“Massachusetts is home to a thriving climatetech startup ecosystem, thanks in part to a robust network of accelerators, incubators, and innovation hubs that help early-stage companies navigate commercialization and scale their impact,” said Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC. “Through the Innovation Ecosystem Program, we’re investing in the organizations that provide critical infrastructure and mentorship to growing businesses—ensuring that homegrown innovation translates into real-world climate solutions.”

Since 2016, MassCEC has awarded more than $6 million to 22 ESOs through this program—indirectly supporting over 1,300 climatetech startups. The Innovation Ecosystem Program enables a wide range of ESO activities, including:

• Operations and management expenses

• Facility and infrastructure build-out

• Equipment purchases

• Networking and workshop events

This year’s awardees are:

• Activate Boston – Boston, MA

  • $175,000

• ACT’s Cleantech Open Northeast Program – Somerville, MA

  • $120,000

• Berkshire Innovation Center – Pittsfield, MA

  • $139,800

• FORGE – Somerville, MA

  • $120,000

• Greentown Labs – Somerville, MA

  • $175,000

• Harvard Innovation Labs – Cambridge, MA

  • $50,000

• InnoVenture Labs – Beverly, MA

  • $120,000

• Lever, Inc. – North Adams, MA

  • $100,100

• MassChallenge – Boston, MA

  • $75,000

• SeaAhead – Cambridge, MA

  • $175,000

• The Engine – Cambridge, MA

  • $50,000

• UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub – Lowell, MA

  • $100,100

For more information about the Innovation Ecosystem Program, visit www.masscec.com.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds.