BIC Awarded Climatetech Business Development Grant

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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.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BIC Expansion Could Begin This Fall

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PEDA officials are hoping the momentum will carryover to other sites in the business park. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With about $8 million in public funding secured, the Berkshire Innovation Center could break ground on its expansion as soon as this fall. 

An 8,000-square-foot addition is planned for the BIC to welcome a new company, Myrias Optics Inc.  Executive Director Ben Sosne recently gave the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority an update on the future advanced optics tech hub, the larger vision for this project. 

Myrias, a meta-optics producer, has a partnership with BIC tenant Electro Magnetic Applications for testing and simulation services. They will be able to work side by side once the expansion is complete. 

"There is not a part of me that thinks Myrias wouldn't be here looking to work with the BIC if we weren't already working with EMA," Sosne said. 

"That was the draw, 100 percent."

The effort is supported by $5.2 million from the state, and another $2 million was earmarked through an economic development bond bill. Pittsfield has also committed $1 million in GE Economic Development Funds

Myrias will bring up to 55 employees to Pittsfield with an average salary of $110,000. The project's budget is being finalized, and PEDA will have to conduct a design review process for the addition. 

Sosne reported that they hope to break ground this fall, and construction will happen "relatively quickly."  Earlier in the meeting, the PEDA was notified that Mill Town Capital has closed on space on Site 9 and on Woodlawn Avenue for development. 

"I think the theme of today is momentum, here at the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority meeting," Chair Jonathan Denmark said. 

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