PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Mass Clean Energy Center announced over $2 million in awards through its Innovation Ecosystem Program (IEP) to 10 Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in six communities across the state. The funding will help accelerators, incubators, universities, and other business development organizations expand hands-on programming that moves early-stage climatetech startups from idea to market, strengthening business readiness, sharpening commercialization pathways, and accelerating growth within Massachusetts’ innovation ecosystem.

 

In Berkshire County, the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) was awarded $120,000.

 

"Massachusetts has always led by bringing together bold ideas and the people who can turn them into real-world solutions," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments help ensure that entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow here, create jobs here, and deliver technologies that make life better."

 

he IEP is designed to support ecosystem business development activities that advance climatetech startups through their commercialization life cycle. The program invests in ESOs, such as accelerators and incubators, that provide critical technical assistance, mentorship, and networks that improve both the likelihood and the speed of startup success. These organizations play a critical role in helping early-stage companies pressure-test ideas, refine technologies, validate market fit, and clear early commercialization hurdles faster.

 

In addition to operational expense funding, these awards include targeted fellowship funding at select organizations to support Entrepreneur Fellowship Grants that translate research into climatetech businesses, products, and jobs across the energy, transportation, and buildings sectors.