Driving Innovation in the Commonwealth

Wednesday was an exciting day for cleantech collaboration and innovation in Massachusetts! 

To kick off the day at MassCEC’s Forum 20/20 conference, MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton joined Dr. Cheryl Martin, acting director of the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E), to announce the signing of a partnership agreement the two agencies designed to enhance collaboration in research, development, demonstration and deployment of clean technologies.

Gov. Deval Patrick capped off the conference by announcing the launch of AmplifyMass, a new program to support companies and researchers entering the ARPA-E program, and announcing the latest rounds of InnovateMass and Catalyst.

All told, the $2.5 million in funding opportunities will assist emerging clean energy companies and researchers hone their products and services, driving innovation in the Commonwealth and creating local jobs.

Through the agreement with ARPA-E and the launch of AmplifyMass, we are formalizing a partnership that has seen MassCEC provide $2 million is matching funds to seven ARPA-E awardees, companies that have gone on to raise more than $200 million in follow-on funding, employ more than 280 workers, and construct multiple pilot manufacturing facilities here in the Commonwealth.

AmplifyMass will award grants of up to $100,000 to universities and convertible grants of up to $300,000 to early-stage companies.  Applications are already being accepted on a rolling basis, and awards will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Now in it's 10th round, the Catalyst provides up to ten $40,000 grants annually to university researchers and very early-stage companies as they look to develop prototypes/proof-of-concept projects. Catalyst allows teams to reach key milestones that will attract follow-on financing. MassCEC is currently accepting applications for the fall solicitation with $200,000 available to award this round, and applications are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 3.

InnovateMass provides targeted support for companies developing innovative technologies that are scalable, have strong commercialization potential and can create local jobs by through the deployment of emerging technologies. The program provides grants of up to $150,000, with a 50 percent cost-share requirement, to teams that include both a technology developer and an early adopter, to develop first commercial deployments of their innovative clean technology.  MassCEC currently has an open solicitation, with a total of $1.4 million in available funding including $250,000 for a specific water innovation challenge. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Through partnerships with agencies like ARPA-E and programs like AmplifyMass, InnovateMass and Catalyst, we're on our way towards making Massachusetts an even greater hub for cleantech innovation.