MassCEC’s Catalyst and Diversity in Cleantech – Early-Stage (DICES) Programs provide grants of up to $65,000 to researchers and early-stage companies looking to demonstrate initial prototypes of their clean energy technologies. Applications are due March 18. More information here.
Foundry is looking for the next group of entrepreneurs for its 2022 cohort. Applicants from various backgrounds are encouraged to apply, ensuring a diverse cohort with a variety of perspectives. Whether new to the startup game or a serial entrepreneur, experienced with the DoD or a first-timer, or possess a GED, Ph.D., or culinary degree, if you’re an open-minded innovator who’s eager to create a new company, this is the opportunity for you. History has shown that more diversity results in stronger and more successful teams. Applications are due March 20. More information here.
IMPACT from M2D2 is a 12-week accelerator program that uses a unique 1:1 approach and is created to connect startups with resources needed for commercialization. Selected companies will have the opportunity to engage with sponsors’ specialized research calls to help advance their business. Applications are due March 22. More information here.
The UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill has partnered with Essex County Community Foundation to present the Digital Equity Challenge. This is a pitch contest style event where we are seeking ideas and projects that address digital equity. Do you have a program, project, service, or any idea that increases digital capacity for any community in Essex County or the county at large? Apply now to the Challenge! Top applicants will be invited to Pitch live before Judges and win a share of $10,000 in cash prizes and other support, including a pipeline with ECCF for further grant funding. Applications are due March 23. More information here.
The Innovation Institute seeks to encourage the development of entrepreneur-led economic development strategies through its Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems Solicitation. Entrepreneur-led economic development strategies put successful local founders at the heart of development initiatives to understand their unique needs and align Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) and resources in the community around a common mission of helping more local entrepreneurs succeed. These strategies are meant to create feedback loops between entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and other local decision-makers that ensure local entrepreneur ecosystems address the needs of founders and foster conditions for entrepreneurial success. The Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems Solicitation intends to aid ESOs in their efforts to enhance collaboration and connectivity among stakeholders in their local startup communities and regional entrepreneur ecosystem. Applications are due April 1. More information here.
New Applicant Grant Program – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $25,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 that have not previously received financial relief from MGCC’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs. MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses. These funds were appropriated through the state’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act. Application closes April 4, 2022 at 11:59 pm. More information here.
Calling all innovative startups! MassChallenge is looking for founders who want to transform their ecosystem by solving massive challenges. Apply today for the 2022 early-stage program to leverage support from the MC global network of innovators to grow and scale your business. Applications due April 20 at 12 pm ET. More information here.
TECHSPO Boston, two-day technology expo returns June 13th-14th, 2022 to the luxurious Westin Copley Place Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. TECHSPO Boston brings together some of the best developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology. Watch exhibitors showcase the next generation of advances in technology & innovation, including; Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech SaaS technologies. Be prepared to be inspired, amazed educated on how these evolving technologies will impact your business for greater growth. More information here.
The 10G Challenge is powered by CableLabs in collaboration with industry experts to inspire innovators to leverage the emerging 10G network. The Challenge is designed to support developing technologies, services and applications that rely on the network of the future. The challenge will award up to $100K to innovators developing new services, applications or technology that will need higher bandwidth or lower latency. Applications are due July 1. More information here.
Techstars Boston Accelerator – With over a decade in the books, this program focuses on the most promising startups in this vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Techstars Boston is excited to accelerate companies that save lives, save the planet, and transform the way we live and work. Application Deadline is July 28. 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.
Eligible Massachusetts businesses of any size may apply for training grants through the Workforce Training Fund’s Express Program. The Express Program offers cash grants to businesses to cover up to 50% of the cost of training employees, up to $3,000 per employee per course. Additional limitations apply. More information here.
The Seed Investments Program is a two-stage investment program that provides up to $250,000 in convertible notes to pre-seed or seed-stage clean energy startups. The program exists to support companies as they advance and commercialize clean energy technologies and business models. More information here.
Venture Lane will be piloting a new virtual membership in Q2 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.
Created as a key pillar of KKR’s COVID-19 Relief Effort, KKR Small Business Builders (SBB) aims to support entrepreneurs and their small businesses around the world. The grants are designed to help business owners sustain their enterprises, maintain or create jobs, and spur economic opportunity as they respond to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and recover from its resultant economic dislocation. 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.