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Working on the Next Battery Technology?
The $75K MassCEC Catalyst & DICES Grants are out
Battery Burn Book
September 03, 2025
MassCEC and MassVentures are back with $75k funding if you're building the next big thing in climate tech in Mass.
Catalyst offers up to $75,000 to help Massachusetts-based researchers and early-stage startups bring TRL 2-4 climate tech (coin cells to single layer pouch cells) to life. It’s exactly the boost a battery company needs to get real traction. Investors and customers both want to see single layer pouch cell data before handing over any money.
Meanwhile, DICES (Diversity in Cleantech - Early Stage) runs in parallel and specifically supports underrepresented founders or those who've faced economic barriers, with three additional $75K grants up for grabs. WE LOVE TO SEE IT.
Key Dates:
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Webinar: TOMORROW September 4, 2025, 12–1 pm EST
Mid-November: Finalists notified
Week of December 8: Finalist pitches
Late January 2026: Grant winners locked in
Who’s in?
If you’re a Massachusetts-based researcher or early-stage climate tech startup with a prototype in the works, you should be pulling together your application right now.
Why it matters:
Past grantees have gone on to raise serious follow-on funding, file patents, and transition from idea to investor-ready. You’re not just getting cash. You’re getting connections, pitch coaching, and business mentoring. Feon Energy was one of the previous winners!
Our thoughts:
For our thoughts on how we would spend $75k on coin cell testing you can see our rough budget here. (For a materials company coin cells are TRL 3.)
Why are we not funding single layer pouch cells (SLPs)? Because NENY would do it here. (Tech Vouchers have historically been announced in August and fund partnering with a NY entity for things like roll-to-roll coating and SLPs at say RIT-BDC.)
Just check out the webinar at least:
If you’re located in Massachusetts, you should go to the webinar just to learn what the Bay State has to offer for the next time you invent a new battery material.
If you do decide to start your own battery startup, reach out to our parent company www.potentialenergytech.com for advice.
Battery Business (Job Postings):
If you’re interested in supercapacitors, our friends at Florrent are hiring! They are known for their impeccable vibes and positive social and environmental impacts. Florrent has built up a network of farmers from BIPOC communities, providing sustainable livelihoods while encouraging the use of farming techniques that support the natural sequestration of carbon. Their business model directly supports historically underserved farming communities. Check our their careers page here for all of their job listings.