MassVentures co-manages this grant program with the MassCEC.
Catalyst provides up to seven (7) grants of up to $75,000 to researchers and early-stage companies looking to demonstrate initial prototypes of their clean energy technologies.
DICES, in parallel with Catalyst, awards three (3) additional grants of up to $75,000 each for projects led by eligible (certified or certifiable) women-owned or minority-owned early-stage companies.
The program is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of transforming new ideas from the research stage into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. All awardees gain access to a vast network of partners, expert local market and policy insights, and mentoring from MassCEC and MassVentures, while all finalists receive complimentary pitch coaching and business mentoring.
Catalyst and DICES are for technologies that are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2-4, according to the TRL Calculator developed by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.
Eligible applicants include principal investigators at all Massachusetts-based research institutions or Massachusetts-based early-stage clean energy companies.
For DICES, applicants must also verify that they are eligible as a woman- or minority-owned startup. More information about this process can be found in Section V of the Catalyst Request For Proposals (RFP).
For full program details, please refer to the RFP. You can also watch the webinar from September 4th which includes a brief overview of MassCEC and MassVentures' programs, followed by more detail about Catalyst and DICES program and other funding opportunities.
August 19 - Applications Open for Fall 2024 Cohort
September 4 - Optional Webinar (View recording)
September 16 - Deadline to Submit Questions
September 19 - MassCEC to Post Responses to Questions
September 30 - Applications Due by 11:59PM
Early November - Applicants Notified of Finalist Status
Week of December 9 - Finalists' Presentations
Late January 2025 - Finalists Notified of Award Status
Read about past Catalyst grantees.
Visit MassCEC Catalyst and DICES.
Email us at companycatalyst@masscec.com.
