BOSTON, Mass. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched the $75 million Massachusetts TechHubs Program, a new initiative to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems across the state through strategic investments that foster technology development, advance high-growth industries and drive equitable economic growth.
Created by the Mass Leads Act, the nearly $4 billion economic development bill signed by Governor Maura Healey in November 2024, and administered by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), the TechHubs program aims to address regional disparities in economic opportunity and ensure all regions of the state can participate in and benefit from Massachusetts’ innovation economy.
"Massachusetts has long been a global leader in innovation, but we must ensure that opportunities for success extend to every corner of the state," said Governor Maura Healey. "The MA TechHubs Program represents a strategic investment in our future, supporting regions across Massachusetts as they build dynamic innovation centers that can compete on a global scale while creating opportunities for all our residents."
"By supporting regional innovation, we're not just building technology hubs, we're creating pathways to good jobs and economic prosperity," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Communities are the backbone of our state’s economy. We want to take advantage of all the untapped potential at the local level to scale innovation and make it clear that Massachusetts is the place to build your business.”
Through the program, regions can apply to become a “TechHub,” a designation that will provide them with increased visibility and credibility that will in turn help them attract talent and investment, as well as offer these regions access to grant programs that support strategy development, stakeholder engagement and innovation infrastructure. TechHub designation will also allow regions to elevate their profile as a leader in innovation-driven economic growth, while membership in the TechHub network will provide them with access to collaboration, resource-sharing, and the exchange of best practices with others in the program, helping each region strengthen its ecosystem and advance Massachusetts’ reputation as a global innovation leader.
"The MA TechHubs Program represents a strategic investment in Massachusetts' innovation economy," said MassachusettsEconomic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. "Through this program, we're making targeted investments in physical infrastructure, R&D capabilities, and scaling companies that will strengthen our competitive advantage in emerging technologies and high-growth industries."
"The MA TechHubs program builds on Massachusetts’ strong foundation of public-private collaboration," said MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk. "By creating a network of designated TechHubs across the state, we're strengthening connections between regional innovation ecosystems and providing the resources they need to compete in the global innovation economy."
The TechHubs program offers three tracks tailored to meet the needs of regions at different stages of ecosystem development:
- Designation-Only: This track provides an official TechHub designation for regions that already demonstrate or have the potential to develop significant innovation capacity. The TechHubs designation offers these regions increased visibility, credibility, and recognition, which will help them attract partners, investment, and talent.
- Strategy Development Grants: In addition to the TechHubs designation, this track supports regions in developing or refining their strategic plans for innovation-driven economic growth. Regions in this track are eligible for grants of up to $100,000 for activities such as stakeholder engagement, ecosystem assessment, and the development of strategic plans.
- Transformation Grants: In addition to the TechHubs designation, this track supports regions ready to execute transformative, large-scale projects aimed at enhancing their innovation ecosystem. Regions in this track are eligible for grants of up to $5 million for initiatives that enhance innovation infrastructure; support local, high-growth businesses and scaling companies; catalyze technology commercialization; and foster workforce development.
The program is open to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, including economic development agencies, local governments, colleges, universities, incubators, accelerators, and other community-based organizations. Lead applicants must build diverse partnerships that bring together various innovation and economic development stakeholders. The TechHubs program aims to support priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, artificial intelligence, bioindustrial manufacturing, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, marine technology, photonics, quantum, and robotics.
“MassTech sees an incredible opportunity to highlight and strengthen centers of innovation that are active across the state, in the manner that the Gateway Cities program has highlighted opportunity on Main Streets around the Commonwealth,” said Innovation Institute Director Pat Larkin. “MA TechHubs will make strong, targeted investments that support these community centered partnerships and create opportunities to significantly expand the innovation economy in Massachusetts."
Applications for the Designation-Only and Strategy Development tracks are due by Friday, March 28. Organizations applying for the Transformation Grant track must submit a concept paper by Friday, March 28 and a final application by Monday, May 19. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here.
About the Innovation Institute at 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 that advances a core mission of innovation and cluster growth across the Commonwealth. Created in 2003, the Innovation Institute intervenes in the economy 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 Commonwealth Makes strategic investments in support of innovation-based economic development
For more information, visit https://innovation.masstech.org/.