Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $16.3 Million to Expand Regional Innovation

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Innovation Institute announced more than $16.3 million and designated 14 regions across Massachusetts as official TechHubs through the Massachusetts (MA) TechHubs Program. Created through the Mass Leads Act, the TechHubs Program is designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems byinvesting in technology development, high-growth industries and innovative local companies. 

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Economic Development Secretary Paley, MassTech leaders and state and local officials celebrated the awards today at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester. Through the program, regions apply to become a TechHub, a designation that boosts visibility and credibility to attract talent and investment. Designated TechHubs gain access to grants that support strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and innovation infrastructure. Membership in the statewide TechHub Network fosters collaboration, resource-sharing, and the exchange of best practices, helping each region strengthen its ecosystem and advance Massachusetts’ position as a global innovation leader. 

“Massachusetts has always led through innovation, not just in our labs and universities, but through the strength and creativity of our people,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The TechHubs Program reflects our belief that every region should have the opportunity to shape the future of technology and to share in the prosperity it brings.” 

“These TechHubs reflect the best of what happens when local leaders, institutions, and businesses work together to build on their region’s unique strengths,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration believes that innovation doesn’t just happen in one ZIP code, it happens in every community when we provide the tools and investment to help it thrive.” 

The 14 designated TechHubs span the state from the Berkshires to the South Coast and reflect a range of industry clusters including advanced optics, bioindustrial manufacturing, marine technology, quantum technologies, and robotics. These hubs, while diverse in their industry focus, geographic location and stage of development, share a common goal to build thriving, equitable and globally competitive innovation ecosystems. 

“The TechHubs Program recognizes that innovation looks different in every region,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “We’re making catalytic investments in communities that are ready to scale and giving others the strategic support to plan their growth. Together, these efforts will drive new business formation, job creation, and long-term competitiveness across the state.” 

To support collaboration among the 14 designated TechHubs, MassTech also launched the Massachusetts TechHub Network, a structured, peer-driven community of practice for regional innovation leaders. The network will provide a forum for shared learning, coordinated problem-solving and resource exchange, helping TechHubs accelerate progress and amplify impact across the state. The TechHub Network will also inform future funding opportunities that may be offered through the TechHub Program.   

“The TechHubs program represents a long-term commitment to building the next generation of innovation ecosystems in Massachusetts," said Innovation Institute Director Pat Larkin. “By leveraging the experiences of the different regional initiatives, we’re laying the foundation for sustained regional transformation and economic competitiveness.” 

“WPI’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and life sciences make us a natural catalyst for collaboration and economic growth,” said Grace J. Wang, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. “The BioHub builds on this foundation—bringing together academic, industry, and government partners to drive biomanufacturing innovation, create jobs, and expand opportunity for people across Central Massachusetts and beyond.” 

The program offers awards and designations in three tracks to support regions at different stages of ecosystem development: 

Transformation TechHubs 

Transformation Grants supports regions ready to execute large-scale projects that enhance innovation infrastructure, promote the development of local high-growth scaling companies, catalyze technology commercialization and foster workforce development with up to $5 million in capital funds over a period of up to three years. MassTech awarded three TechHubs with transformation grants totaling nearly $14.7 million. 

• Advanced Optics TechHub, Led by Berkshire Innovation Center, Pittsfield - $5,200,000 

The Berkshire Innovation Center will expand its facilities with advanced optics labs, facilitate collaboration along the Boston-Rochester optics corridor, develop a pipeline of talent for advanced optics manufacturing and facilitate the growth of startups, including two high-growth firms, Myrias Optics and Electro Magnetic Applications.   

• Bioindustrial Manufacturing TechHub, Led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester - $5,200,000 

Together with Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Worcester Polytechnic Institute will create the “BioHub” to accelerate the commercialization of new food, fuels, chemicals and materials in Central Massachusetts. The BioHub will build out more than 14,000 square feet of research and development space for pilot-scale manufacturing and new equipment development, and to facilitate industry-sponsored research and centralize biomanufacturing education and training in the region. 

• Marine TechHub, Led by New Bedford Ocean Cluster, New Bedford - $4,284,589 

These funds will establish the Port of New Bedford and the surrounding area as a central destination for the testing and commercialization of marine technologies. New Bedford Ocean Cluster and its project partners New Bedford Research and Robotics, New Bedford Port Authority, UMass Dartmouth, and Teledyne Marine will build out research and development facilities, marine robotics workforce programs, and a “Harbor to Bay” digital twin to modernize port operations, support advanced ocean research and reduce the time it takes for marine technologies to get to market.   

Strategy Development TechHubs 

Strategy Development recipients are regions developing or refining strategic plans for innovation-driven economic growth with grants of up to $100,000 to fund stakeholder engagement, ecosystem assessment and development of strategic plans. MassTech awarded six TechHubs with Strategy Development Grants totaling nearly $600,000. 

• Advanced Mobility Technologies TechHub, Led by Endicott College, North Shore - $99,990 

This partnership between Endicott College, MassDOT Aeronautics and MassAutonomy will develop a roadmap for the North Shore as a regional TechHub for air, surface, and marine robotics and autonomous mobility technologies. 

• Advanced Manufacturing TechHub, Led by Old Colony Planning Commission, Route 24 Corridor - $100,000 

This partnership will develop a strategy for an Old Colony advanced manufacturing TechHub along the Route 24 corridor cities and towns of Brockton, Avon, Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Easton and Stoughton. 

• AI, Robotics, and Advanced Materials TechHub, Led by Merrimack College, Lower Merrimack Valley - $100,000 

This partnership will develop a strategy for the Lower Merrimack Valley AI, robotics and advanced materials/manufacturing TechHub integrating assets within the communities of Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill. 

• Housing Innovation TechHub, Led by UMass Lowell, Greater Lowell - $99,975  

This partnership will develop a strategy for the Massachusetts Housing Innovation TechHub to address the Commonwealth’s housing challenges through new approaches to affordable, sustainable housing. 

• Soil to Sea Sustainability TechHub, Led by InnoVenture Labs, Metro North - $100,000 

This partnership will develop a strategy for a “Soil to Sea” TechHub focused on advancing innovation in sustainability and climatetech including green chemistry, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural climate technologies and the blue economy. 

• Food Science TechHub, Led by Western MA Economic Development Council, Pioneer Valley - $100,000  

This partnership will develop a strategy for a food science TechHub in the Pioneer Valley, centered in Amherst, that builds on UMass Amherst’s nationally ranked food science department and the presence of major food industry players like Big Y supermarkets. 

Designation-Only TechHubs 

The Designation-Only Track provides an official TechHub designation for regions demonstrating significant innovation capacity or potential to develop significant innovation capacity via increased visibility, credibility and recognition to attract partners, investment and talent. MassTech awarded five TechHubs designations without direct funding. 

• Advanced Manufacturing TechHub, Led by Middlesex 3 Coalition, Middlesex 3 Corridor 

This TechHub designation will formalize the advanced manufacturing ecosystem across Middlesex 3 Coalition’s 11-member region through the Advanced Technology Coalition. 

• Digital Infrastructure TechHub, Led by Qubic Labs, Quincy 

This TechHub designation will formalize Quincy's role as an emerging hub for digital infrastructure innovation, particularly in the interconnected fields of blockchain, AI, cybersecurity and connectivity. The designation provides a platform for Qubic to continue attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and academic and government partners to the region. 

• Blue Economy, TechHub, Led by Massachusetts Port Authority, Port of Boston 

This TechHub designation will formalize the Port of Boston’s role as a hub for maritime innovation, providing a platform for MassPort to engage more deeply with stakeholders in marine technology and to support the continued growth of ocean-focused industries. 

• Robotics TechHub, Led by MassRobotics, Boston 

This TechHub designation will formalize Greater Boston's role as a global leader in robotics innovation, providing a platform for MassRobotics to continue engaging deeply with stakeholders in robotics and to support the sustained growth of the broader robotics ecosystem. 

• Quantum Technologies TechHub, Led by Western MA Economic Development Council, Pioneer Valley 

This TechHub designation will formalize and strengthen a coordinated regional strategy led by the Pioneer Valley Quantum Innovation Hub Advisory Council (PVQIH) to accelerate innovation, workforce development and commercialization in the field of quantum technologies. The initiative builds on existing assets and industry leadership in Holyoke and Springfield, recent investments, and collaborative momentum to establish Western Massachusetts as a global leader in quantum technologies. This designation is paired with a recent $1 million investment through the Mass Leads Act to Springfield Technical Community College to fund a feasibility study to establish a Quantum Supply Chain Accelerator. The accelerator will help develop the next generation of quantum computing components, house a quantum-focused startup studio and prepare local talent for jobs in the quantum industry.   

For more information about the MA TechHubs Program, visit innovation.masstech.org/techhubs.  

About the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)  
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) is a quasi-public economic development agency that strengthens the competitiveness of the tech and innovation economy by driving strategic investments, partnerships, and insights that harness the talent of Massachusetts. The Innovation Institute is the division of MassTech created in 2003 that advances innovation and cluster growth across the state in four ways:  

• Conducts research and analysis that improves the state's understandings of unmet needs and opportunities in the innovation economy
• Serves as a convener and key strategic broker within various sectors
• Manages high-value projects on behalf of the state
• Makes strategic investments in support of innovation-based economic development 

For more information, visit  https://innovation.masstech.org/. 

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