UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Presents: Clean Green Challenge
Introducing the Clean Green Challenge, a sustainable pitch contest brought to you by the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub. Are you an Investor, Environmental Science Innovator, Sustainability Entrepreneur, or Simply Interested in Seeing Start-Ups That Trying to Save Our Planet? Join the Massachusetts environmental sciences community as local startups pitch their sustainability solution to a panel of judges. The winners will take home thousands of dollars or in-kind prizes from our partners interested in rewarding those trying to keep our green clean! Applications close February 17. More information here.
The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Program helps Massachusetts-based start-ups convert research developed under SBIR and STTR contracts into businesses and jobs in Massachusetts. START offers MA-based, SBIR Phase II companies, grants, and business guidance to help them commercialize their technologies. Applications are due February 21. More information here.
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards for impactful and inclusive approaches to foster a thriving, collaborative national innovation support ecosystem to advance research and development (R&D) from ideas to impact. By fostering connections between entrepreneurs, advisors, mentors, partners, philanthropies, corporations, investors, and other shared resources, the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) will catalyze strategic ecosystem partnerships to build community and organizational capacity for the successful launch, growth, and scale of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based entrepreneurs and startups. Apply by February 24. More information here.
Great funding opportunity for MA-based, deep tech startups! MassVentures’ START program is accepting Stage I applications now through February 28. Win $100,000 or more and get business advice and network connections to help commercialize technologies developed under SBIR and STTR contracts. To be eligible, you must be based in Massachusetts and have won an SBIR/STTR Phase II award. More information and application here:
MassChallenge has opened applications for the 2023 Early Stage Program. Founders who are looking to scale their startups to the next level should apply. This is a startup accelerator like no other that empowers startup founders to own their own success. Apply to the 2023 MassChallenge Early Stage Program to compete for unrivaled access to 40+ global corporate partners including BAE Systems, First Republic Bank, and IBM, world-class mentoring from 400+ industry experts, in-person introductions to the global network, and opportunities to compete for zero equity cash prizes! Applications close March 1, 11:59 pm ET. More information here.
Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Grants
MWBE Support Grants provide up to $1,000,000 across three years in grant funds and technical support to organizations that address the barriers faced by MWBEs in the clean energy sector and provide MWBEs with the skills and resources to thrive. Grantees develop or expand programs that provide support to existing MWBEs entering the clean energy sector and/or assist in the creation of new MWBEs in the sector. Apply by March 10. More information here.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP)
The Commonwealth’s MMAP program 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 Commonwealth. Grant funding can be used for capital expenditures under GAAP. Applications are due March 10. More information here.
Apply Now for the 2023 Board-Ready Bootcamp, beginning April 5th: The Board-Ready Bootcamp is designed to improve the quality of board governance and composition at companies by providing a high-impact curriculum on board fundamentals, strategy, and governance. Given the lack of diversity in the tech boardroom, the bootcamp is focused on preparing underrepresented tech leaders, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and women tech executives. Apply by March 25. More information here.
TechCrunch Early Stage 2023 – April 20
At this one-day founder summit, you’ll get actionable advice and takeaways from top experts, meet other entrepreneurs taking similar journeys, share your own experiences and build the confidence to take the next steps towards growing your business. More information here.
Accelerate Your Impact: Massachusetts Small Business Coaching Program
Boston Impact Initiative (BII) and Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) have partnered to offer entrepreneurs and small business owners coaching and resources to build sustainable and socially impactful businesses. More information here.
FinTech Sandbox is a nonprofit which enables financial technology entrepreneurs to build robust products by providing access to critical data, development tools and a curated network of customers, entirely for free. FinTech Sandbox is open to all startups innovating in financial services that can use financial data products we offer for product development and testing. The spirit of the program is to offer data to start-ups that could not otherwise afford it. More information here.
The NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant is available for Black-owned businesses with one to 25 employees located in New England (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and select areas of Connecticut (more details in the application). $25,000 in grants are available on a rolling basis. More information here.
Venture Lane is piloting a new virtual membership called Venture Lane Connect. The membership will enable B2B startup founders based in Boston to tap into Venture Lane’s curated network, weekly programming focused on go-to-market strategy, $400K in perks like AWS and Microsoft Azure and other resources for early-stage growth. Interested B2B startup founders and their teams can sign up for the private beta here.