RFP- Ocean Innovation Network- Track 2: Ocean Innovation Network Support Grant

The Ocean Innovation Network Support initiative by MassCEC aims to enhance the ocean technology ecosystem in Massachusetts. This program offers cost-shared funding to improve workspaces, provide business coaching, and support industry engagement through various events. Additionally, it coordinates access to facilities for testing and offers scholarships for commercialization-related expenses. By fostering collaboration among startups, institutions, and government agencies, MassCEC seeks to position Massachusetts as a leader in ocean technology innovation.

In this track, MassCEC seeks to support and grow the ocean technology innovation ecosystem and smooth the path to commercialization. Cost-shared funding will be made available for:
Improving and enhancing existing co-work, office and maker spaces for start-up and early-stage companies;Providing business coaching and supply-chain networking;Supporting industry engagement and initiatives through events, workshops, roundtables, and working groups;Coordinating access and vessel transportation, technical support, and deployment logistics to test sites/facilities;Conducting marketing, outreach, and promotional activities to support startup engagement and industry visibility;Scholarships that reimburse startup companies for expenses related to commercialization and in-water testing, including access and use of test sites.
Through this Program, MassCEC seeks to accelerate the growth of Massachusetts’ ocean technology innovation ecosystem through targeted investments that leverage existing assets, programs, partnerships, and concentrations of maritime industry and infrastructure, and further establish marine science and technology clusters to advance the Commonwealth as a leader in ocean technology innovation.
In addition to this grant opportunity, MassCEC is committing program resources to promote and highlight the Ocean Innovation Network, its projects, partners, and success stories. MassCEC anticipates working closely with awardees, as well as the broader ocean technology community, to identify opportunities, share resources, and connect the companies, institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies that comprise the MA ocean technology cluster.