The Challenge: Advance Research-Stage Technologies to Commercial Viability
A key step in advancing a new technology beyond the research stage is to develop and demonstrate a prototype. Funding for prototyping is often difficult to obtain.
About Catalyst
The Catalyst Program provides grants of up to $75,000 to researchers and early-stage companies looking to demonstrate initial prototypes of their climate technologies. Catalyst is jointly administered by MassCEC and MassVentures with a goal of stimulating the commercialization of climate technologies developed in the Commonwealth. Specifically, the program is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of transforming new ideas from the research stage to commercially viable technologies to increase 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.
About DICES
In parallel with Catalyst, MassCEC and MassVentures will award up to three additional grants of up to $75,000 each for projects led by applicants who are underrepresented in the Climatetech industry or faced economic barriers entering the environmental or entrepreneurial landscape.
Funding Schedule
The Catalyst/DICES program offers funding twice per year. Please view the schedule for the upcoming Spring 2024 application process.
All dates indicated in the schedule are subject to change at MassCEC's discretion.
| Process Step | Timing |
|---|---|
Application period opens |
January 26, 2024 |
Optional Webinar |
February 8, 2024 |
Deadline to submit questions |
February 23, 2024 |
MassCEC posts responses to questions |
March 1, 2024 |
Applications due |
March 14, 2024 |
Applicants notified of finalist status |
April 23, 2024 |
Finalists' presentations |
Week of May 20, 2024 |
Finalists notified of award status |
July 2024 |
Who's Eligible
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 Massachusetts-based nonprofit research institutions or Massachusetts-based early-stage climatetech companies.
For DICES, applicants must also fill out section II on the application form. The response to the DICES question should demonstrate how the applicant is underrepresented in the climatetech industry or has experienced economic barriers entering the environmental or entrepreneurial landscape. 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 Catalyst RFP.
Apply
Application Process
For full Program details, please refer to the Catalyst RFP.
Applications must be submitted via the MassVentures portal.
For any questions, please email companycatalyst@masscec.com.
Request for Proposals
Learn About DICES and Catalyst
MassCEC will host a webinar about the Catalyst & DICES program on February 8th, 2024 at 12 pm. The webinar will include a brief overview of MassCEC and MassVentures' technology to market programs, followed by more detail about Catalyst & DICES.
Additional Resources
The Massachusetts Founder Network aims give Massachusetts startup founders equitable access to resources that will help their companies grow.
Learn about Incubators and Accelerators in Massachusetts.
Recent Awardees
Since program inception, Catalyst has awarded nearly $8.5 million to 157 awardees, who have gone on to raise more than $449 million in follow-on funding and submit 159 patent applications. One out of every four university awardees has created a new company.
Lithios
Lithios is developing an environmentally friendly, low-cost electrochemical process, Advanced Lithium Extraction (ALE), which aims to revolutionize global lithium production by enabling access to untapped, low-grade brine resources.
Aloft Systems Inc.
Aloft Systems Inc. is developing a self-contained Wind Propulsion Unit that will provide energy for ship propulsion without modifying the ship.
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Stepwise
Stepwise is developing an electromechanical box that bypasses a costly electrical panel service upgrade via energy management, which will help enable residential electrification.
Carbix Corporation
Carbix Corporation is developing an advanced photo-bio reactor, the Carbix X-2, that captures point source emitter CO2 and transforms those emissions into raw materials, which can be used in a wide range of products, specifically building materials.
Prisere LLC
Prisere LLC is developing software to assess the reduction in insured risks to residential and commercial buildings caused by climate related events.
LumaSort
LumaSort is developing a robot that uses AI to efficiently sort glass from debris and by color. High speed cameras are used along with high precision air jets to select glass a single piece at a time, as desired by the glass manufacturer customer.
University of Massachusetts Amherst (PI Lackner)
University of Massachusetts Amherst (PI Lackner) is developing the Wind Trawler, an autonomous, unmoored floating wind turbine.
Arrakis Materials
Arrakis Materials Inc. (DICES) is developing a geo-inspired carbon dioxide sequestration process to produce carbon-negative concrete aggregates with olivine, a cheap and abundant mineral
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Florrent
Florrent (DICES) is developing ultracapacitors that pair with batteries which will enable utilities to reliably deliver power from renewable sources.
Additional Funding Opportunities
AmplifyMass
$300,000
Rolling
InnovateMass
$350,000
Rolling
Clean Energy Internship Program for Employers
$4,320/intern for Fall or Spring session; $8,640/intern for Summer session