Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY25 Mentorship Program- Sector Spark

NOFO No. 2025-JAII-02

The Innovation Institute, a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is issuing this Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY25 Mentorship Program - Sector Spark (NOFO No.2025-JAII-02) to solicit responses from qualified Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) interested in receiving grant funding to enhance their capacity to support tech-based startups operating in industries of regional importance. 

This funding opportunity aims to provide ESOs with the resources they need to build or scale specialized mentorship, accelerator or other startup support programs tailored to the unique needs of tech-based entrepreneurs within a targeted industry sector. Funded programs will help startups develop and commercialize innovative products and technologies, protect intellectual property, fundraise and ultimately scale their teams and customer bases.

This solicitation provides an opportunity for Respondents to access operating funds to design and deliver high-quality entrepreneurial programming as well as an opportunity to access capital funds to build or procure new and novel infrastructure, equipment or other capital resources that directly aid in the execution of proposed programming and acceleration of sector-specific startups.

1.Programming Grants

• Funding range: Up to $200,000
• Purpose: Operating funds to enhance existing or develop new startup program(s) that provide targeted support to tech-based entrepreneurs in key industry sectors.

2. Programming + Infrastructure Grants

• Funding range: Up to $200,000 for programming plus up to $2,000,000 for critical infrastructure to allow Respondent to better support startups
• Purpose: Operating funds to enhance existing or develop new startup program(s) plus capital funds to build or improve the infrastructure, equipment, or resources necessary to effectively support the programming and the sector-specific entrepreneurs served.

Full details included in the NOFO linked below.

Download Application Documents:

• Download NOFO No. 2025-JAII-02 (PDF) 
• Download Attachment C Budget Spreadsheet (EXCEL)
• Download Questions & Answers Document (PDF)