About the Partnership
Through this request for proposals, the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) seeks an experienced and highly connected organization capable of bridging government priorities with private-sector expertise, networks, and investment. The selected partner will serve as the state's trusted strategic business development partner, coordinating business attraction campaigns, cultivating private-sector ambassadors and strategic partnerships, supporting company expansion and market entry, and strengthening statewide recruitment and advocacy efforts.
This partnership is intended to complement and enhance existing economic development assets, not duplicate them, creating a unified platform that mobilizes public and private resources, generates measurable economic impact, and reinforces Massachusetts' position as the leading U.S. destination for innovation, investment, and business growth.
Program Information
The Executive Office of Economic Development, through the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) and Team Massachusetts agencies and partners, seeks to establish a long-term strategic public-private partnership with a qualified organization to serve as an extension of the state's business development efforts.
Working in close partnership with MOBD, MOITI and Team Massachusetts, and leveraging domestic and international business networks, market intelligence, and private-sector relationships, the selected partner will:
- Serve as the state's trusted strategic business development partner
- Coordinate business attraction campaigns and build a robust top-of-funnel pipeline of prospective companies
- Strengthen statewide recruitment and advocacy efforts to identify, prospect, market to, recruit, and retain companies that align with Massachusetts' strategic industry priorities
- Cultivate private-sector ambassadors and strategic partnerships
- Support company expansion and market entry
The program will require a dollar-for-dollar match from the applicant.
Eligible Applicants
EOED welcomes applications from either:
- Consolidated entities: An existing organization or legal entity with the organizational capacity, governance, and operational capabilities necessary to carry out and achieve the objectives of this initiative, or;
- Sponsor entities: An existing organization representing one or more organizations submitting a concept proposal to establish a new entity. The sponsor entity must demonstrate the organizational capacity and operational capabilities necessary to develop and implement the proposed entity and achieve the objectives of this initiative.
In either case applicants commit to collaborate with EOED in ensuring strong operational and strategic alignment with the state's economic development priorities. As such, eligible entities include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Economic development or business organizations
- Private sector organizations with demonstrated experience in international business development and market entry services
- Public-private partnerships
- Consortia of multiple organizations led by a designated lead applicant
Applicants may also apply with the intention to form an entity to carry out the intent of the partnership.
Award and Matching Funds
This award requires a dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match.
In Year 1, applicants may receive up to $1,000,000 and shall be matched by eligible non-public funds. Subject to extension of the award, the selected partner may be eligible to receive up to $2,000,000 in Year 2 and up to $3,000,000 in Year 3, with an equal dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match funds required for each year.
At time of application, applicants shall provide a budget and may indicate needed up-front funding to begin programing and planning.
The selected partner shall secure private funding to support activities. The state will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for eligible private funds raised and verified by the state. State funds will be released upon documentation of qualifying private commitments and may be used for approved program operations and business development activities.
Funding match from other funding sources may include private, philanthropic, federal, institutional, profit from fee-for-service or other revenue-generating activities.
In-kind contributions will not count towards match requirements.
How to Apply
Before applying for this Business Development Public Private Partnership, please:
- Review the Business Development Public Private Partnership Request for Proposals in detail prior to applying to the program
- Login or create an account in Submittable
- Download and complete the full application in word format
- Collect required additional documents listed in the RFP
- Upload your complete application, required documentation, and any additional information to the Massachusetts Office of Business Development Submittable Portal
Required Documents
All businesses should request these documents early in the application process and notify Business Development Public Private Partnership staff of any issues obtaining them. All documents should be dated with 90 days of the application submission.
- MA Department of Revenue (DOR) Certificate of Good Standing: The business applicant must submit a Certificate of Good Standing from Massachusetts DOR.
- MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Certificate of Compliance: The business applicant must submit a Certification of Compliance from Massachusetts DUA. *Note: this document may require additional lead time.
- Corporations Division Certificate of Good Standing: The business applicant must submit a Certificate of Good Standing from Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth’s Corporations Division.
Application Deadline
Applications are due August 6, 2026.
Applicants may be invited for an interview after the application period. EOED expects final selection to take place in the fall of 2026.
Program Staff Contact Information
- Johana Muriel Grajales, Director of Business Strategies: Johana.Muriel@mass.gov or (857) 275-3343
- Helena Fruscio-Altman, Deputy Undersecretary of Business Strategies: Helena.Fruscio@mass.gov or (617) 874-0486
| Date published: | July 1, 2026 |
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| Last updated: | July 1, 2026 |