Talent H-1B Retention Visas for Entrepreneurs (THRiVE) in Massachusetts Grants

The THRiVE in Mass grant program is based on a Global Entrepreneur in Residence (GEiR) model which leverages universities' cap-exempt H-1B status to extend visas to STEM entrepreneurs building startups in the ecosystem. Specifically, this grant supports institutions of higher education or their nonprofit affiliates who seek the part-time employment of entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria: 

• are not citizens of the United States, 
• desire to move to or remain in the Commonwealth on a nonimmigrant status following a period of study for a masters or doctorate degree in the sciences, technological fields, engineering, mathematics, accounting, finance, economics, business or business administration,
• have established, or have the skills and demonstrate the intention to create, a new business venture in the Commonwealth.

THRiVE grants will support entrepreneurs and part-time employers who commit to apply for a nonimmigrant H-1B visa under § 101(a)(15)(h)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. 

The program will provide grants to institutions of higher education or their nonprofit affiliates to offset a portion of the cost to employ the entrepreneur-in-residence and/or associated legal fees for the visa application. 

Up to 19 awards of $10,000 each will be granted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

To learn more about existing GEiR programs in Massachusetts, please visit the UMass Boston Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence program and the Babson College Global Entrepreneur in Residence (GEIR) program.

Key Dates

October 23, 2024 - Applications open (View RFP)

June 30, 2025 (or prior) - Announcement of award recipients