About this programme
InnovateMass is a grant and technical-support program run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) for early-stage clean energy companies. It is built to address what MassCEC calls the commercialization valley of death, the funding gap that sits between angel investors and venture capital.
The program funds companies that want to deploy new clean energy technologies, or innovative combinations of existing technologies, that have real commercialization potential. Eligible technology areas include solar, wind, geothermal, energy storage, energy efficiency, carbon capture, green building materials, and other advanced technologies that contribute to decarbonizing the economy. Coal, oil, woody biomass and natural gas technologies are not eligible.
Beyond the grant itself, awardees get access to a third-party Technical Consultant who meets with them regularly to review workplans and help resolve technical or project-related barriers.
How it works
Each project can receive up to $350,000. Recent awards ranged from $276,886 to $350,000.
Awardees must provide a 50% cost-share match, reduced to 25% for Public Benefit Sites (projects at publicly-owned facilities, low-income buildings, or Gateway Cities/Burdened Areas).
The applicant structure is an Applicant Team made up of a Massachusetts-based Climatetech company (the Lead Applicant) and one or more Demonstration Project Partners. Applicants may submit up to two different projects per round, each with different partners.
Selection is a two-part process: applicants submit a written application first, and finalists then pitch to program judges after receiving pitch coaching.
Previous awardees may reapply, but only with a technology that is new and distinct from the one in their previously awarded project, and only after completing that original project.
Who can apply
The Lead Applicant must be a Massachusetts-based Climatetech company, defined as maintaining a majority of its headquarters, R&D operations, manufacturing operations, or sales/marketing office in Massachusetts.
The Applicant Team must include at least one committed Demonstration Project Partner.
How to apply
- Review the Request for Proposals (RFP) posted at MassCEC.org when the round opens.
- Submit questions by the questions-due date; MassCEC posts answers before the application deadline.
- Submit a completed online application through the Submittable platform, including at least one letter of support from a committed Demonstration Partner (typically 1 to 3 support letters total) and technical analysis demonstrating commercialization potential.
- If selected as a finalist, take part in pitch coaching and then pitch to the program judges.
- Wait for award decisions before project start.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Completed online application (Submittable)
- At least one letter of support from a committed Demonstration Partner
- Technical analysis demonstrating commercialization potential
- Total Addressable Carbon (TAC) estimate, using recommended data sources such as EPA and DOE resources
Frequently asked
How much can InnovateMass award per project?
Up to $350,000, with recent awards ranging from $276,886 to $350,000.
Do I need a matching contribution?
Yes, a 50% cost-share match is required, reduced to 25% for projects at Public Benefit Sites such as publicly-owned facilities, low-income buildings, or Gateway Cities/Burdened Areas.
Who needs to be on the application?
An Applicant Team made up of a Massachusetts-based Climatetech Lead Applicant and one or more Demonstration Project Partners.
What technologies are not eligible?
Coal, oil, woody biomass and natural gas technologies are excluded.
Can a past awardee apply again?
Yes, but only with a technology that is new and distinct from their previously funded project, and only after finishing that earlier project.
More funding in Massachusetts
Business Builds: Life Sciences
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) · Massachusetts
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grants $500,000 to $2 million, 50/50 matched, to life sciences companies expanding manufacturing in the state.
Catalyst Program
MassVentures, jointly administered with Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) · Massachusetts
MassVentures and MassCEC give up to $75,000 to Massachusetts early-stage clean energy companies and researchers building first prototypes.
Elevate Small Business
LEAF (Local Enterprise Assistance Fund) · Massachusetts
LEAF, a Massachusetts nonprofit lender, offers small business loans and advice to underserved entrepreneurs and cooperatives statewide.
Emerging Technology Fund
MassDevelopment · Massachusetts
MassDevelopment lends up to $4 million to Massachusetts technology companies for equipment, real estate, or working capital as they expand.
Growth Capital Microloan Program
MassDevelopment · Massachusetts
MassDevelopment lends $5,000 to $100,000 to Massachusetts small businesses operating at least a year, including childcare businesses.
MassVentures Deep Tech Venture Fund
MassVentures · Massachusetts
MassVentures makes equity investments in Massachusetts seed-stage deep tech startups, often academic spinouts, alongside private co-investors.
All 14 programmes in Massachusetts →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.