SBIR Targeted Technologies "START" Grants
The application window will reopen February 2026
The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Grants help Massachusetts-based startups convert research developed under SBIR and STTR contracts into businesses and jobs in Massachusetts.
START offers MA-based, SBIR Phase II companies grants and business guidance to help them commercialize their technologies. This year, the program will award:
16 “Stage I” grants of $100,000 each;
7 “Stage II” grants of $200,000 each to the most promising “Stage I” winners from the previous year and;
3 “Stage III” opportunities: up to $500,000 each of seed capital in a commercial spinout from the most successful "Stage II" companies.
More than a Decade of Success
Since 2012, MassVentures' START Program has granted $37.2 million to 125 companies that have gone on to raise more than $5.1 billion and employ more than 3,200 people in the Commonwealth.
Read some of their stories below.
Winners
2024 Award Winners
Award Winner Stories
Aclarity (South Hadley)
Aclarity has developed a proprietary electrochemical treatment system that cost-effectively destroys contaminants in water. It is the first company to commercialize a system for destroying "forever chemicals" or PFAS, ubiquitous water pollutants that have been linked to hormone disruption, cancer and other health issues. Aclarity's innovation addresses a $30 billion+ problem, eliminating PFAS wastewater management and disposal while improving human health. The company raised a Seed Round in 2022 for field deployment with Burnt Island Ventures, DCVC, and MassVentures.
Electrified Thermal Solutions (Medford)
Industrial heat is responsible for 20% of global emissions; yet scalable, clean solutions remain scarce. Even with access to clean hydropower, geothermal, and hydrogen, today’s electric boilers often come at a prohibitive cost premium and cannot achieve the temperatures required of industries like steel and glass. Electrified Thermal overcame these hurdles using low-cost materials that operate both as heating coil and heating storage. The Joule Hive Thermal Battery’s electrically conductive firebricks store and release heat efficiently, reaching industrial-grade temperatures upwards of 1,800°C. The system allows use of renewable and off-peak electricity, and sets a new standard for cost-effective, low-maintenance heat storage. The company is advancing toward commercial demonstration, positioning the JHTB as a scalable solution to decarbonize high-temperature processes across a wide range of sectors.
Emvolon (Woburn)
A spinout from MIT, Emvolon is commercializing a platform technology that converts greenhouse gas emissions into valuable green chemicals and fuels like methanol and ammonia. Industries such as maritime, aviation, energy, waste management, and agriculture power the global economy and Emvolon is helping them power it without emissions. Leveraging their patented technology, Emvolon transforms car engines into cost-effective, modular and scalable chemical plants. The company is pushing the boundaries of clean energy innovation and accelerating the transition to a carbon-negative future. With the help of the START grant, Emvolon was able to reach technical and business milestones critical to commercialization.
EnVision Endoscopy (Waltham)
EnVision Endoscopy is developing novel devices for gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery to improve patients’ lives and healthcare delivery with less invasive endoluminal endoscopic procedures. Currently, no good solutions exist for tissue approximation and closure of large gastrointestinal defects endoscopically. Endoscopic clips are only effective for mucosa closure and small size defects and the endoscopic suturing devices on the market are very cumbersome, difficult to use, and high cost often precludes usage. To solve this problem, EnVision is developing a simple and low cost Suturing System [SimpleStitch (TM)] for tissue approximation and endoluminal management of gastrointestinal defects. Their novel suturing device is single use, disposable and works with every endoscope. EnVision just received FDA approval for its first device [SimpleSnip (TM) Suture Cutter], a device to cut sutures during endoscopy procedures. EnVision is a START Stage III winner on track to revolutionize endoscopic surgery.
Eyebot (Boston)
Eyebot’s mission is to make vision care accessible to everyone, equally. Eyebot uses advanced AI-driven algorithms and touch-free imaging technology to conduct 90-second vision tests, enabling tele-doctors to write accurate and well-tolerated eyeglass prescriptions remotely. The AI analyzes the collected test data from refraction, visual acuity, lensometry, and intake to suggest a well-tolerated Rx to the tele-doctor who will then make adjustments to the Rx or directly approve the Eyebot-generated Rx. The START grant has been instrumental in helping to advance their mission as it allowed them to hire an Engineering Technician and bring assembly of their vision testing kiosks in-house.
Phoenix Tailings (Woburn)
This startup is changing the world by rethinking metals production. Each year the mining industry discards over 200 billion tons of waste (tailings), producing more than 7% of the world’s carbon emissions. Phoenix Tailings is on a mission to be the world’s first clean mining and metals production company. The company is changing how these metals are produced by extracting valuable metals and rare earth elements from mining waste. Their process uses clean energy sources and produces zero waste, creating a cleaner supply chain.
Theromics (West Bridgewater)
Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting an energy-emitting probe into tissue to destroy surrounding cells. While effective for many cancers, it has limitations, such as tumor targeting challenges and a recurrence rate of up to 30%. Theromics has developed HeatSYNC™, a biocompatible injectable nanopolymer that enhances ablation. Administered under imaging guidance before the procedure, HeatSYNC acts as a 'virtual' probe, radiating energy to create complete, spherical ablation zones. It dissolves within 30 days, improving outcomes by ensuring complete ablation, reducing the need for additional probes, and decreasing costs. Theromics has made significant advancements, and ongoing research is examining their gel's dielectric properties for a 2025 FDA submission. Additionally, they have filed new patents using their START Grant proceeds, allowing them to focus capital on further research and development.
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