Massachusetts has over 138,000 small businesses. That’s 99% of all companies in the Commonwealth. Starting or growing a business here requires capital, and finding non-dilutive funding gives you a real competitive edge.
Boston rents compete with San Francisco. Labor costs run high. Regulations are complex.
But Massachusetts invests heavily in its entrepreneurs. State programs, federal initiatives, and private foundations provide real money for founders willing to do the application work. Here are 10 small business grants that Massachusetts entrepreneurs need to know about in 2026.
1. MassVentures START Grant Program
Deadline: February 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Award Amount: $100,000 (Round 1); $200,000 (Round 2); up to $500,000 (Round 3) Who Gets It: Massachusetts companies with SBIR Phase II awards Apply: mass-ventures.com/start-program-info
The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Grants help Massachusetts startups convert research developed under SBIR and STTR contracts into businesses and jobs. This program awards 16 Round 1 grants of $100,000 each, 7 Round 2 grants of $200,000 to the most promising Round 1 winners from the previous year, and 3 Round 3 opportunities of up to $500,000 each in seed capital for commercial spinouts from successful Round 2 companies.
Since 2012, MassVentures’ START Program has granted $41.7 million to 141 companies that have raised more than $5.1 billion and employ more than 3,300 people in Massachusetts. You need an active SBIR Phase II award to qualify. The program provides both capital and business guidance to help commercialize technologies.
Why apply: Substantial funding from $100,000 to $500,000 for tech companies with proven R&D backing. Massachusetts actively supports deep tech commercialization.
2. Biz-M-Power Matching Grant Program
Deadline: June 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or until funds exhausted) Award Amount: Up to $50,000 (matching grant) Who Gets It: Massachusetts small businesses with brick-and-mortar locations, 1-20 employees Apply: massgcc8.submittable.com/submit
This crowdfunding matching grant program offers Massachusetts small businesses financial assistance with acquisitions, expansions, facility improvements or leases, equipment purchases, and other capital needs. You run a crowdfunding campaign, and the state matches what you raise up to $50,000. Businesses must have 20% of the requested grant amount in their business bank account at application time.
Preference goes to businesses owned by low-to-moderate income individuals, women, minorities, immigrants, veterans, disabled individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and businesses in Gateway Cities. You need a public-facing, brick-and-mortar location in Massachusetts. Home-based businesses don’t qualify.
Why apply: State matching funds amplify your crowdfunding efforts. $50,000 maximum grant for eligible small businesses with physical locations.
3. Community One Stop for Growth
Deadline: Varies (typically opens in early 2026) Award Amount: Varies by program Who Gets It: Massachusetts businesses and municipalities Apply: mass.gov/community-one-stop-for-growth
The Community One Stop for Growth is Massachusetts’ unified application portal for multiple economic development programs. Through a single application, you gain access to various grant opportunities offered by MassDevelopment, Mass Growth Capital Corporation, Mass Office of Business Development, and other state agencies.
Programs available through One Stop include tax incentive programs, site assessment grants, infrastructure grants, and business development support. The portal streamlines the application process. Instead of submitting multiple applications to different agencies, you complete one comprehensive application. State agencies review your submission and match you with appropriate programs.
Why apply: Single application opens doors to multiple state funding programs. Less paperwork. More efficiency. Better chances at securing Massachusetts state support.
4. Empower Digital Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling applications (check current availability) Award Amount: Matching grant for digital upgrades Who Gets It: Massachusetts small businesses improving digital capabilities Apply: Contact MGCC at empoweringsmallbusiness.org
The Empower Digital Grant is a matching grant awarded to small businesses in Massachusetts that seek to improve their business’s digital capabilities. This includes website development, e-commerce platforms, digital marketing tools, customer relationship management systems, point-of-sale systems, and other technology that enhances operations.
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) administers this program. The application resources are available in 10 languages, making this accessible to immigrant and non-native English speaking business owners. You access this program through SBTA Providers (Small Business Technical Assistance providers).
Why apply: Digital transformation costs add up fast. Matching grants help small businesses compete in the digital economy without breaking the bank.
5. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Deadline: February 16 to March 9, 2026 Award Amount: $50,000 grand prize; 10 runners-up receive $30,000 each Who Gets It: U.S. small businesses (including Massachusetts) with 1-99 employees and a FedEx account Apply: fedex.com/grantcontest
FedEx awards over $350,000 annually. $50,000 goes to the grand prize winner plus $7,500 in FedEx Office services and an SEO audit. Ten runners-up get $30,000 plus $1,000 in FedEx Office credit.
Requirements are straightforward: active FedEx shipping account open for at least six months, 1-99 employees, and a compelling business story. Judges evaluate your business narrative, brand alignment with FedEx values, website quality, and social media presence. You submit an optional two-minute elevator pitch video.
Why apply: $50,000 transforms a small business. Even the runner-up prizes are substantial. National visibility adds value beyond the cash.
6. Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) Grant Program
Deadline: Check MassDevelopment for annual cycle (typically October) Award Amount: Up to $150,000 Who Gets It: Massachusetts nonprofit organizations serving small businesses Apply: massdevelopment.com/sbta
This program funds nonprofits that provide technical assistance, education, and capital access to small and microbusinesses across Massachusetts. While this grant goes to nonprofits (not directly to businesses), small business owners benefit by accessing free services funded by these grants.
SBTA-funded organizations provide business planning, financial management training, access to capital, marketing support, and operational guidance. Services target businesses with fewer than 20 employees in low-to-moderate income communities and Gateway Cities. Many SBTA providers help businesses apply for other grants, including Biz-M-Power.
Why apply (for nonprofits serving small businesses): Up to $150,000 to expand your capacity to serve Massachusetts small businesses. For entrepreneurs: Find an SBTA provider near you for free technical assistance.
7. MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program
Deadline: Check annually (typically late 2025/early 2026) Award Amount: Varies (grants from $100,000 to several million) Who Gets It: Massachusetts municipalities for infrastructure supporting economic development Apply: mass.gov/massworks-infrastructure-program
MassWorks provides grants to municipalities for publicly owned infrastructure projects that support economic development, housing production, and job creation. While this grant goes to cities and towns (not directly to businesses), business owners benefit when their municipality receives funding for infrastructure improvements in commercial districts.
Eligible projects include streets, sidewalks, curbs, streetlights, parking facilities, water and sewer lines, site preparation, and other public infrastructure. Your business benefits from improved access, better utilities, enhanced commercial districts, and overall economic development in your area.
Why apply (for municipalities): Large grants for infrastructure that directly supports business districts. For entrepreneurs: Work with your city or town to advocate for infrastructure improvements that will benefit your business location.
8. Comcast RISE Grant
Deadline: Quarterly (check current cycle) Award Amount: Marketing services + tech makeovers OR $10,000 grant Who Gets It: Small businesses owned 51%+ by women or people of color, operational 1+ year Apply: comcastrise.com
Comcast RISE offers two grant types: marketing and technology services or a straight $10,000 cash grant. You choose based on what your business needs most. The program runs quarterly. If you miss one cycle, you apply in the next.
To qualify, you need 51% ownership by a woman or person of color. Your business must have been operational for more than a year. This isn’t for brand-new startups. Comcast wants to support established businesses that need help reaching the next level. Massachusetts has strong representation in this program.
Why apply: You get to choose between services or cash based on what helps your business grow. Quarterly cycles mean multiple opportunities.
9. Boston Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
Deadline: Rolling applications Award Amount: Interest-free microloans and grants Who Gets It: Women entrepreneurs, particularly those starting new enterprises Apply: uptima.com
Boston Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative provides interest-free microloans and bootcamps tailored for women, particularly those starting new enterprises. These resources complement technical assistance and business advice for steady growth. The cooperative model means you’re joining a community of women entrepreneurs, not just getting funding.
Massachusetts has a strong women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Uptima adds to that by providing capital without the burden of interest payments. The bootcamp training prepares you for the realities of business ownership. The peer network provides ongoing support beyond the initial funding.
Why apply: Interest-free capital for women entrepreneurs. Community support matters as much as money when building a business from scratch.
10. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Lending Products
Deadline: Rolling applications Award Amount: $25,000 to $500,000 Who Gets It: Massachusetts small businesses, focus on diversity programs Who Gets It: Massachusetts small businesses, focus on diversity programs Apply: empoweringsmallbusiness.org
MGCC makes loans to small businesses across Massachusetts. While these are loans (not grants), they deserve mention because MGCC structures them specifically for businesses that struggle to access traditional bank financing. Veterans, minorities, women, and businesses in underserved communities get priority consideration.
The diversity programs help secure loans from $25,000 to $500,000. Terms are more favorable than commercial banks. MGCC understands that small businesses in Massachusetts need flexible financing that accounts for seasonal revenue fluctuations, startup costs, and growth investments. Interest rates reflect this understanding.
Why apply: When grants aren’t enough, MGCC loans bridge the gap. Better terms than banks. Built specifically for Massachusetts small businesses.
How to Find More Massachusetts Small Business Grants
Massachusetts offers dozens of additional grant programs through state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Here’s where to look:
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) at empoweringsmallbusiness.org maintains an active list of resources to support small business success. They administer multiple grant programs and connect businesses to capital.
MassDevelopment at massdevelopment.com offers grant programs including Collaborative Workspace Grants, Community Development Block Grants, and specialized programs for specific industries.
Massachusetts Office of Business Development helps businesses navigate EDIP (Economic Development Incentive Program), which offers tax credits in exchange for job creation. Reach out to your Regional Director.
Local Chambers of Commerce across Massachusetts often run their own grant programs. Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, and other cities provide funding for businesses in their jurisdictions.
Industry-Specific Grants: Massachusetts provides targeted funding for life sciences, clean energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors. If your business operates in these areas, research state agency programs.
Massachusetts Small Business Grant Tips
Gateway Cities get priority. Massachusetts has 26 designated Gateway Cities (including cities like Worcester, Springfield, New Bedford, Brockton, Fall River). Businesses in these cities often receive priority consideration for state grants.
Diversity matters. Massachusetts actively supports businesses owned by women, minorities, immigrants, veterans, disabled individuals, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. If you qualify, emphasize this in applications.
Show your matching funds. Many Massachusetts grants require matching funds. Biz-M-Power requires you to have 20% of the requested amount in your business bank account at application time. Plan ahead.
Use SBTA Providers. Small Business Technical Assistance providers help you navigate grant applications. They’re free resources funded by the state. Contact them before applying to major grants.
Gateway Cities are: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, Worcester.
Why Massachusetts Grants Matter
Massachusetts cost of doing business ranks among the highest in the nation. Commercial rent in Boston proper rivals New York City. Labor costs reflect the highly educated workforce. Health insurance costs for employees exceed national averages.
Grants don’t solve all these problems, but they provide non-dilutive capital that lets you invest in growth without taking on debt or giving up equity. For many Massachusetts entrepreneurs, grant funding makes the difference between barely surviving and thriving.
The Commonwealth recognizes this. Massachusetts invests over $22 billion annually in grants and funding across all sectors, with significant resources directed toward small business development and economic growth.
Get Your Applications In
Massachusetts entrepreneurs face high costs but also have access to some of the best small business support programs in the country. The grants in this article represent real funding opportunities available right now to Massachusetts businesses across industries, stages, and geographies.
The businesses that win these grants aren’t smarter or more talented. They’re more persistent about applying. They read requirements carefully. They tell compelling stories about their businesses. They meet deadlines. They follow up.
Most importantly, they don’t let the application process intimidate them into not trying.
Bookmark this article. Calendar the deadlines. Start applying. Massachusetts entrepreneurial ecosystem is built on founders who refuse to let obstacles stop them. You’ve survived starting a business in one of the most competitive, expensive states in the country.
Applying for grants is easier compared to doing business in Massachusetts.
Go get your funding. Your Massachusetts small business deserves the support.
