About this programme
MassVentures runs a seed-stage equity investment program for academic spinouts and seed-stage deep tech companies based in Massachusetts. Deep tech, as MassVentures describes it, innovates scientific and engineering breakthroughs that address big societal challenges, often creating new markets or disrupting existing ones.
The fund is evergreen, reinvesting the profits of its successful investments rather than winding down after a fixed term. MassVentures says it invests through a lens of economic development rather than IRR, prioritizing innovative technologies that support the Commonwealth's economic growth initiatives, with emphasis on diverse founding teams and diverse geographies across the state.
Since 1978, MassVentures has received $8.5 million in Commonwealth funding and, through 2024, has invested a total of $112 million across 186 startups, with nearly half of its exited companies achieving positive returns.
How it works
MassVentures provides catalytic funding and support to help founders get traction, build their MVP, find early customers, accelerate go-to-market strategy, expand sales, and bring on key staff.
The Deep Tech Venture Fund sits within MassVentures' MV Capital arm, alongside separate non-dilutive grant programs (SBIR START, Clean Energy, THRiVE) that MV Capital also runs; the Venture Fund itself is described as venture funding for deep tech founders and academic spinouts, with academic spinouts named as a preferred focus.
Applications for the Venture Fund are reviewed on an ongoing basis, unlike MassVentures' grant programs, which run on fixed application windows.
Who can apply
Companies must be academic spinouts or seed-stage deep tech companies based in Massachusetts.
MV Capital's own page lists the sectors it backs: advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, robotics, photonics, electronics, quantum computing, cleantech, medical devices, biotechnology, IoT, health security and cybersecurity.
How to apply
- Apply through MassVentures' online solicitation platform.
- Unlike MassVentures' grant programs, Venture Fund applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis rather than in scheduled cohorts.
Frequently asked
What kind of companies does MassVentures fund through this program?
Academic spinouts and seed-stage deep tech companies based in Massachusetts.
What does MassVentures look for in a deal?
Innovative technologies that support the Commonwealth's economic growth initiatives, with emphasis on diverse founding teams and diverse geographies throughout the state.
How do I apply?
Through MassVentures' online solicitation platform. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, not in scheduled rounds.
What sectors does the fund back?
MV Capital, the arm the Venture Fund sits under, lists advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, robotics, photonics, electronics, quantum computing, cleantech, medical devices, biotechnology, IoT, health security and cybersecurity.
Is this the same as MassVentures' grant programs?
No. The Deep Tech Venture Fund is an equity investment program reviewed on an ongoing basis. MassVentures separately runs non-dilutive grant programs, such as SBIR START, Clean Energy and THRiVE, with their own fixed application windows.
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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.