Acorn Innovation Fund Aids in Commercializing Scientific Breakthroughs Across the Commonwealth BOSTON (August 3, 2021) New technologies at Massachusetts research institutions could get closer to market thanks to $195,000 in seed funding announced today by the MassVentures Acorn Innovation Fund. Thirteen grants of $15,000 each were awarded to faculty researchers …

This blog originally posted on LinkedIn July 1, 2021 Small Business Innovation Research grants are non-dilutive Federal awards for startups inventing novel technology. The goal is to move early-stage tech to proof of concept, after which the company can seek more traditional investment. Eleven Federal Agencies participate in the program, …

Blog Post—July 15, 2021 Imagine air purification systems capable of destroying viruses and other sub-micron pollutants using technology based on the intricate nanostructures of a butterfly’s wings. Or, imagine a water-saving technology inspired partly by the fog-harvesting Namib desert beetle that helps power plants recover water from their cooling tower …

June 2, 2021 Born in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nabiha Sakalyen grew up in Germany and went to high school in Sri Lanka. Through her exposure to a variety of cultures, ideas and experiences, she developed a sense of deep curiosity for the world, and ultimately studied physics. Dr. Sakalyen was …

MassVentures lost a friend and revered colleague last week. Robert F. Weiss, known to all of us as “Bob,” died suddenly on May 6. Bob was the driving force behind MassVentures’ START, a grant program that helps Massachusetts companies commercialize research funded through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) …

Blog post: April 26, 2021 In recent years, much ink has been spilled on the notoriously opaque and closed-off world of venture capital that first emerged nearly 70 years ago. From books to blogs to YouTube and Podcast interviews, there is an abundance of educational content that was simply not …

Blog post: April 22, 2021 As another Earth Day dawns, it is both a time for reflection and action. Are we doing enough? MassVentures strives to do its part by supporting deep tech innovators across the Commonwealth who are making significant strides to urgently combat climate change in areas such …