Press Release  MassVentures Announces Nearly $3 Million in Grant Funding for 16 Deep Tech Startups

Boston — Today, the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassVentures announced that 16 companies will receive nearly $3,000,000 in grant funding through MassVentures’ SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) grant program, which helps Massachusetts-based start-ups convert research developed under SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) contracts into businesses and jobs in Massachusetts.   

The START program offers companies $100,000 to $500,000 in non-dilutive funds, as well as business guidance to help them commercialize their technologies. START covers activities that are crucial for business growth but not included in federal grant programs like marketing, business development, and IP strategy. Funding will support companies throughout Massachusetts and across the technology sector, ranging from cleantech and biotech to AI and cybersecurity. 

“Our administration is committed to supporting early-stage Massachusetts startups on every step of their journey as they grow their ideas into life-changing and cutting-edge technologies,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “These START grants will help expand employment opportunities, promote manufacturing, and stimulate innovation across the state. We’re excited to announce today’s awardees.”   

“START continues to deliver on its promise to the Commonwealth. The 115 companies we have selected over the past 13 years have gone on to raise more than $2.5 billion in private capital and employ more than 2,500 people,” said Charlie Hipwood, CEO and President of MassVentures. “We are pleased to announce yet another stellar lineup of START awardees this year.” 

The recipients of this year’s $500,000 awards are: 

• Aclarity (Mansfield) is deploying electrochemical systems that cost-effectively destroy various contaminants in water including PFAS compounds, the “forever chemicals.” 

• Reveal Pharmaceuticals Inc (Cambridge) has developed manganese-based, gadolinium-free MRI contrast agent designed to improve safety for all patients and provide a platform for precision imaging.  

The recipients of this year’s $200,000 awards are:

• Aeroshield Materials (Hyde Park) is commercializing novel technology for improving the energy efficiency of windows. Aeroshield’s transparent aerogel sheets can be dropped into existing window manufacturing to create a window that is 50 percent more insulating than traditional double-pane windows, and have a faster payback.  

• Ambergen, Inc. (Watertown) has developed reagents (Miralys) that revolutionize disease diagnosis and drug therapy by providing a more powerful method to image biomarkers in tissue. 

• EnVision Endoscopy (Waltham) has developed novel suturing device for flexible endoscopy, for tissue approximation and management of large gastrointestinal defects. 

• Pathmaker Neurosystems (Boston) has developed MyoRegulator, the first non-invasive treatment for post-stroke muscle spasticity using neuromodulation. It has been designated by the FDA as a "breakthrough" medical device.  

The recipients of this year’s $100,000 awards are: 

• Advanced Silicon Group (Lowell) leverages metal-enhanced etching to produce arrays of textured silicon nanowires. These nanowires have many applications, including in solar photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries, and highly-sensitive protein detectors for health care. 

• Electrified Thermal Solutions (Medford) is commercializing the Joule Hive™ thermal battery, a new technology that converts and stores intermittent renewable electricity into constant, high-temperature, industrial-grade heat. The startup’s patented bricks replace fossil fuels, reduce operating costs, and lower emissions of co-located industrial plants.   

• Gel4Med (Lowell) has developed antimicrobial, dermal matrices to promote infection-free wound closure. Its technology uses synthetic, self-assembling fibers that are non-toxic, do no rely on plant or animal tissues, and are biodegradable. These matrices promote tissue regeneration without the use of any added drugs or biologics.  

• Irradiant (Cambridge) is unlocking the full potential of optics and photonics by enabling complete control of the refractive index in 3D nanofabricated structures. Its nanoscale 3D printing of optical and photonic components has enormous implications for almost every aspect of modern technology. 

• Notch (Cambridge) makes metamaterials (artificial composite structures with supernormal physical properties) that enable antennas to be dynamically controlled, to boost communication ranges while providing cyber-security protection. 

• Osmoses (Cambridge) designs molecular filters with exceptional size selectivity for chemical separation. Applications include hydrogen gas purification, carbon capture, and natural gas purification. 

• Phoenix Tailings (Woburn) developed technology that recovers rare earth metals from mining wastes, such as neodymium, which is critical for magnets in electric vehicles.   Its technology will help eliminate hazardous waste in mining while promoting sustainable use of rare metals. 

• Rendever (Somerville) has developed virtual reality platforms for seniors that enhance caregiving and the feeling of thriving within a community. The platform helps to improve community life in senior residences by decreasing social isolation and depression. 

• Southie Autonomy (Boston) is on a mission to make it easy to work with a robot on an assembly line. Its AI software facilitates ready deployment of robot arms at the beginning, middle and end of production lines. The technology is designed to help contract packagers, manufacturers and logistics providers solve labor shortages.  

• Stitch3D (Boston) Stitch3D is deploying a collaborative cloud-based platform where users can easily visualize 3D images, use analytical tools to extract intelligent point cloud information, and create 3D universes with a simple yet powerful interface. 

About MassVentures 
MassVentures is the Commonwealth’s strategic venture capital team. MassVentures finds, funds, and fosters early-stage deep tech that fuels economic growth across the Commonwealth. Visit www.mass-ventures.com.

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