MassVentures Opens START Grant Applications

07:56AM / Saturday, February 07, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassVentures announced that applications are now open for the next round of its SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Grant Program, which provides non-dilutive funding to Massachusetts companies that have received federal SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) or STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Phase II awards. The program helps startups translate advanced research into commercial products, new businesses, and high-quality jobs across Massachusetts.

START grants provide $100,000 to $500,000 to eligible companies to support critical commercialization activities, including market validation, business development, and intellectual property strategy, that are not typically covered by federal research funding. In addition to capital, participating companies receive business guidance to accelerate go-to-market progress across sectors such as advanced materials, quantum computing, AI, cleantech, and biotechnology.

"Supporting entrepreneurs at the earliest stages is critical to building a strong innovation economy," said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Chair of the MassVentures Board of Directors. "START grants provide founders in high-impact sectors with the resources they need to grow, hire, and succeed in Massachusetts—while advancing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges."

MassVentures launched the START program in 2012, and this year marks the program’s 15th year supporting high-impact Massachusetts innovators.

In FY25, with increased funding through the Mass Leads Act, MassVentures expanded the number of annual START awards from 17 to 26. Over its 15-year history, START has awarded $41.7 million to 141 companies that have employed more than 3,300 and leveraged more than $5 billion in private capital. The businesses are located in more than 40 communities throughout Massachusetts.

"START grants address one of the most persistent challenges facing deep tech founders: proving commercial viability before traditional capital becomes available," said MassVentures President and CEO Charlie Hipwood. "This program helps Massachusetts businesses validate their technologies, build teams, and hit the milestones needed to attract follow-on investment—keeping our state's most promising innovations here in the Commonwealth."

Applications opened Feb. 1 and are due Feb. 23. Massachusetts-based companies which have won a SBIR/STTR Phase 2 in the past 5 years are encouraged to apply. For more information, join MassVentures for an information session on February 3 at 8:00 a.m. or visit?https://www.mass-ventures.com/start-program-info.

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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