The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Grants help Massachusetts-based startups 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. This year, the program will award: 16 “Stage I” grants of $100,000 each; 7 “Stage II” grants of $200,000 each to the most promising “Stage I” winners from the previous year; and 3 “Stage III” opportunities: up to $500,000 each of seed capital in a commercial spinout from the most successful “Stage II” companies. Applications are due TODAY, February 24. More information here.
WEBOS Summit Pitch Showcase: This exciting event offers interactive business expert listening sessions, engaging panels, a $5,000 pitch showcase, and a celebratory concert. Perfect for aspiring and current women and girl entrepreneurs in Boston. During the event they will feature small business tabling from 1 pm – 5 pm. Apply by February 25. More information here.
The Massachusetts Climatetech Studio, a partnership between the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and FedTech, helps entrepreneurs launch new climate technology ventures. The Climatetech Studio matches teams of entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies from federal and university labs during an intensive 16-week program cohort. Entrepreneurs work closely with expert coaches and advisors to assess the potential of their technologies and form strategies for successful commercialization. Each participant receives a $15,000 stipend and has the chance to win further prize money and grant funding. There is no cost to participate, no equity taken, and the program is designed to be flexible for those working full-time. Application deadline is February 28. More information here.
The Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge is a grant program designed to inspire the development of domain-specific AI models capable of catalyzing scientific discoveries, accelerating commercialization of AI applications or generating substantial public benefits. The Challenge seeks to fund projects that develop, fine-tune or adapt AI models to unlock breakthroughs in priority industry sectors with potential for significant downstream applications within the next three years. Applications are due February 28. More information here.
LaunchVT accelerates outstanding early-stage, Vermont-based startups with world class business curricula, networking opportunities, and industry-specific mentorship to help their ventures scale. Their strategic community partnerships fuel the future of Vermont’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Application deadline is February 28. More information here.
C10 Labs is transforming the future of AI-First startups. Their unique 10-week program is crafted to help the founders develop high impact theses — through refinement of existing ideas or creation of new ones — by leveraging the Spot-Probe process. The C10 Labs cohort program provides a new way of thinking about, building, accelerating, and scaling AI ventures that allows founders to focus on things that matter most! Applications are due March 1. More information here.
The $1M Moonshot from Pillar is open to current university undergrad and grad students, postdocs and faculty. The goal with Moonshot is to put founders solving challenging problems on the fast-track to success. To move fast and break things, you need capital and they are here to provide that. Applications are due March 2. More information here.
Cape Cod Spring 2025 Healthy Communities Pitch Contest: EforAll Pitch Contests are fast-paced, fun community events that help early-stage entrepreneurs gain valuable exposure and feedback on a business idea. Great opportunity to network, validate a business idea, and compete to win a cash prize. It is free for entrepreneurs to apply and free for all to attend. Application deadline is March 12. More information here.
MassCEC Catalyst & Diversity in Cleantech Early Stage (DICES) Program: The program is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of transforming new ideas from the research stage into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. All awardees gain access to a vast network of partners, expert local market and policy insights, and mentoring from MassCEC and MassVentures, while all finalists receive complimentary pitch coaching and business mentoring. Applications are due March 14. More information here.
The Founder Institute Boston is a fully virtual accelerator designed to turn ideas into fundable startups and scale them into global businesses. Running from April 30 to July 24, 2025, the program provides a structured methodology, expert mentorship, and a powerful support network. Entrepreneurs join an Equity Collective, gain access to lifelong resources, and follow a rigorous, results-driven process. With less than 40% completion, the program challenges founders to refine their vision and secure funding. Applications are due March 16. More information here.
The 4th Annual Clean Green Challenge is here! UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub is searching for academic entrepreneurs and early-stage startups with groundbreaking solutions in sustainability, energy storage, hydrogen, carbon capture, and more. Applications are due March 19. More information here.
Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators the resources they need to launch and grow successful cleantech businesses. Their one-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem built over the last 19 years of programming spans key cleantech innovation hubs in the U.S., linking labs and universities, service providers, investors, corporations, governments, and other cleantech incubators and accelerators. Applications are due April 13. More information here.
EforAll Merrimack Valley Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
EforAll Pioneer Valley Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
EforAll South Coast Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
EforAll Rhode Island Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
EforAll Greater Worcester Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
EforAll Lynn Summer 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: May 8. More information here.
Techstars Startup Weekend Boston, May 30 – June 1: What do you do during these 3 days? Gain valuable insights on transforming your concept from an initial sketch to a fully-fledged startup. From pitching your idea, scrutinizing business models, identifying your target audience, to marketing your product – they cover it all! By the culmination of the 3-day event, you’ll craft an MVP and showcase it. More information here.
EForAll Roxbury Fall 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Applications are due July 16. More information here.
EForAll Berkshire County Fall 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Applications are due July 16. More information here.
EForAll Cape Cod Fall 2025 Business Accelerator: The Accelerator is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply. Applications are due July 16. More information here.
Startup Boston Week: Get ready to join the entire New England startup community for an unforgettable week from September 8th to 12th. This isn’t just another event – it’s where over 7,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from all walks of life come together to ignite ideas, share knowledge, and shape the future. 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.
Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. As one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world, they funded over 3,200 companies that have gone on to have a market cap of $79B+. Each company receives up to $120,000 in funding, and access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and over $4M of perks. Applications are open year-round and will be considered on a rolling basis. Your application will be valid for 12 months from the date of application. More information here.
Through its 2030 Fund, MassCEC invests at the earliest stages of company development across the climatetech landscape. With a focus on tough tech and underserved sectors, MassCEC investments aim to advance clean technology, fill funding gaps, create green jobs, and leverage private capital throughout the Commonwealth. More information here.
P&G Ventures is an early stage startup studio within Procter & Gamble that partners with entrepreneurs to accelerate billion dollar ideas that improve consumers’ lives. Focus areas include nontoxic home and garden, women’s health, anti-aging, daily wellness, and cleaning/sanitizing. More information here.
IFundWomen Boston is a crowdfunding ecosystem designed to help the women-led startups, small businesses, nonprofits, side hustles, and passion projects of Boston raise funds to launch and grow. Join iFundWomen if you are a Boston-area women-led startup to fundraise for your business and get your ideas launched. More information here.