Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.6 Million in Funding to Support Innovative Clean Energy Companies

BOSTON  (Aug 24, 2021) –– In an effort to support clean energy innovation and technology development, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced $2,642,039 in funding for twenty-three clean energy companies and researchers within ten cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. The funding is provided through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Catalyst Program, which is jointly administered by MassCEC and MassVentures, and the InnovateMass Program.

“Massachusetts continues to drive decarbonization in both the Commonwealth and nationally through its robust clean energy innovation sector,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These projects will assist in solving technical barriers, while creating jobs and strengthening local economies throughout the Commonwealth.” 

“The technology development programs at MassCEC continue to ensure early-stage ventures have the resources they need to develop their critical technologies so that they can be deployed in the market,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are pleased to follow these projects as they progress to benefit both our climate and our economy.” 

Since launching in 2010, Catalyst has awarded $7.2 million to 138 new companies and research teams. Past awardees have raised over $244 million in follow-on funding. Additionally, including this latest round, InnovateMass has awarded over $8.5 million in funding for demonstration projects across the Commonwealth since its launch in 2013, leveraging over $10 million in other private and public investments. Past awardees have raised over $107 million in follow-on fundraising. 

“The range of technologies supported through these projects speaks to the Commonwealth’s standing as the eipcenter for cutting-edge clean energy innovation in the United States,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Massachusetts is a national leader in cleantech development, and this funding will support breakthrough technologies that will help the Commonwealth meet its ambitious climate goals.”  

“As Catalyst enters the second decade, these grantees demonstrate the robust deep tech entrepreneurial ecosystem in Massachusetts,”  said  MassVentures  Managing Director Vinit Nijhawan.

“MassCEC is excited to support startups as they bridge difficult commercialization and technical milestones,” said MassCEC CEO Stephen Pike. “Our technology development programs aim to facilitate innovative approaches to decarbonization and ensure the Commonwealth is able to meet the challenges of climate change.” 

The companies receiving funding are:  

2020

• Ithaca Clean Energy (Plymouth, MA) - $65,000 to develop a digital platform application that would streamline stakeholder engagement and marine logistics for offshore wind developers.
• Sol Clarity (Auburndale, MA) - $65,000 to develop an automated solar panel cleaning product that will increase the output of solar panels.
• Harvard University (Xin Li) (Cambridge, MA) - $65,000 to develop an electric vehicle battery that aims to offer a high energy density, fast charging rate, and long lifecycle.
• Northeastern University (Mahshid Amirabadi) (Boston, MA) - $65,000 to design and simulate a low-cost power electronics configuration for electric vehicles.
• Lydian Labs (Somerville, MA) - $65,000 to develop a renewable energy driven alternative for chemical manufacturing.
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Maqsood Mugal) (Worcester, MA) - $65,000 to develop a sensor and software system to enable utilities to maximize localized solar generation.
• SYSO Technologies (Cambridge, MA) - $65,000 to develop a software platform that enables more profitable energy storage.
• Climate Controller (Northborough, MA) - $211,000 to install a novel air-to-water heat pump into existing hydronic heating systems. 
• Elateq (Amherst, MA) - $67,250 to demonstrate a solar and storage powered water treatment system for remote bodies of water.

2021

• AeroShield, Inc. (Hyde Park, MA) - $244,329 to demonstrate its super-insulating glass sheets that replace the air gap in traditional double-pane windows to create energy efficient windows at a competitive cost.
• Takachar Limited (Wrentham, MA) - $219,460 to deploy a small-scale, low-cost, and portable biomass conversion unit to process woody biomass onsite to produce desired bioproducts, such as biofuel.
• Vespr Solar, Inc. (Somerville, MA) - $65,000 to test its hurricane-resilient solar panel attachment solutions.
• Yard Stick PBC (Cambridge, MA) - $65,000 to create a software platform that will measure the carbon content in soils as a means to enable a more profitable market for carbon sequestration.
• PT Technologies LLC (Boston, MA) - $65,000 to develop its insulating prefabricated exterior wall panel made from wood fiber sheets.
• Electrified Thermal Solutions, Inc (Somerville, MA) - $65,000 to develop an energy storage system which converts electricity into heat.
• The University of Massachusetts Amherst (Krish Sharman) (Amherst, MA) - $65,000 to develop a wave energy stabilizer for floating offshore wind turbine substructures.
• Kwiksulate, Inc. (Billerica, MA) - $65,000 to develop packaging for its compact foam-in-bag wall insulation package.
• Carbon Bioenergy, Inc. (Arlington, MA) - $65,000 to develop a method for converting carbon dioxide and biomass into biofuels and industrial chemicals.
• Multiscale Systems, Inc. (Worcester, MA) - $250,000 to use its advanced lightweight materials to replace heavy paneling in existing semi-trailers, making semi-trailers lighter and more fuel efficient.
• Nth Cycle, Inc. (Beverly, MA) - $250,000 to develop a system that enables cost-effective recycling of metals from lithium-ion batteries. 
• NewGrid, Inc. (Somerville, MA) - $250,000 to develop software that allows the electric grid to re-route power in a way that makes the grid more reliable and efficient.
• FreightFlows Inc. (Boston, MA) - $120,000 to develop a software that will reduce emissions in maritime shipping by minimizing time spent idle in ports.
• Team Solar (Framingham, MA) - $120,000 to bring solar installations to low-income residential roof spaces by piloting a novel business model.

“Access to clean energy solutions is key to fighting climate change,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “Companies like Team Solar in Framingham, which is bringing roof installations to provide low-income homes with solar power, are doing innovative work and contributing to a growing, green economy that benefits all Massachusetts residents.”

“The House is proud to support MassCEC’s programs as Massachusetts works to implement our nation-leading climate laws and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “These grants will help companies and researchers advance their projects, grow our clean energy industry and workforce, and ultimately protect our planet and future generations from climate change.” 

“These targeted grants will propel our state's continued leadership in advancing renewable energy technology while building an economy for the future that includes jobs with good compensation and a skilled workforce. Along the way, they will also contribute to reducing our carbon emissions," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester).

 “The Baker-Polito Administration understands the many challenges posed by climate change and the importance of preparing Massachusetts to meet those challenges head-on by reducing our carbon footprint,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “These grants will enable the Commonwealth to remain at the forefront of developing and implementing new clean energy technology while also adding jobs to this critical sector of the state’s workforce.” 

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