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MassVentures START Grant Program

MassVentures (Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation)

$100K / $200K / up to $500K

See if you qualify — free Visit official program ↗

Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 1 required documentWhat decides this award ↓

The short version

Phase II SBIR holder? MassVentures bridges to market

MassVentures START provides tiered non-dilutive grants — $100K (Round 1), $200K (Round 2), or up to $500K in seed capital (Round 3) — to Massachusetts companies that have received a federal SBIR Phase II award. Funds commercialization activities not typically covered by federal R&D grants: market validation, business development, and IP strategy. Applications open annually in February; each round builds on the prior.

Funding type
Grant
Level
State
Amount range
$100,000 – $500,000
Realistic amount
Most applicants are awarded Round 1 ($100,000). Approximately 7 companies advance to Round 2 ($200K) and 3 to Round 3 ($500K) per annual cohort.
Deadline
Application window opens February 1 annually; 2026 Round 1 deadline was February 23. Next open window: February 1, 2027.
Status
between-intakes
States
MA
Payment model
advance

Who qualifies

Hard requirements

What it covers

Eligible expenses

  • Market validation studies and customer discovery research
  • Business development and partnership outreach
  • Intellectual property strategy and patent filings
  • Hiring of commercialization-focused staff (sales, BD, marketing)
  • Go-to-market planning and execution activities

Ineligible expenses

  • R&D expenditures already allowable under the federal SBIR Phase II award
  • Capital equipment purchases unrelated to commercialization
  • Real estate acquisition or leasehold improvements
  • Activities that duplicate the federal Phase II scope of work

How to apply

  1. 1

    Confirm SBIR Phase II eligibility

    Verify your company holds a qualifying federal SBIR Phase II award issued within the past 5 years from any participating federal agency (NIH, DOE, NSF, DOD, NASA, etc.).

  2. 2

    Prepare commercialization plan

    Document your commercialization roadmap — market validation steps, business development goals, IP protection plan, and how START funds will accelerate go-to-market. MassVentures reviewers evaluate commercial credibility, not additional R&D.

  3. 3

    Submit online application during the February window

    Apply via the MassVentures online portal during the annual February application period. Applications are typically open for approximately 3 weeks.

  4. 4

    Round 1 review and award ($100K)

    Reviewers assess commercial strategy and Massachusetts economic impact. Approximately 16 companies per cohort receive $100K Round 1 awards.

  5. 5

    Progress review for Rounds 2 and 3

    Top Round 1 performers (approx. 7) are invited to compete for $200K Round 2 awards. Top Round 2 companies (approx. 3) compete for up to $500K Round 3 seed capital.

Insider tip

Only Phase II holders qualify — not Phase I. Competition is selective: ~16 Round 1 awards per year from a MA deep-tech pool.

Deadline & timing

2026 Round 1 applications closed February 23, 2026. The next annual application window will open February 1, 2027. No interim rounds.

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Last updated October 22, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.