Boston – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center( MassCEC) announced the first awardees of its CriticalMass program, a new initiative that provides support to climatetech companies advancing solutions from pilot demonstration to commercial deployment. The program focuses on startup projects that demonstrate strong market potential and measurable climate impact.

“ CriticalMass helps founders take the final steps to commercial operation,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.“ These awards support real projects, new customers, and future jobs across the state. They also reinforce our dedication to bringing a clean energy economy to every region of Massachusetts.”

“ Massachusetts has built one of the strongest pipelines for successful emerging climatetech businesses. CriticalMass is the next step in bolstering that pipeline,” said MassCEC interim CEO, Dr. Jennifer Le Blond.“ It gives growth-stage companies the capital, partners, and technical support they need to reach customers and operate at scale. This program reflects our goal of helping innovators turn deployment projects into

Hoffman Porsche Dealership in East Hartford, Connecticut

The Aeroshield Materials team

durable businesses that advance the state’ s economy and leadership in climatetech.”

In addition to grant funding, each awardee will receive partnership-focused support from The Alliance for Climate Transition( ACT). This includes access to an expert in residence, a support service advisor, and a deployment partner matchmaking system that connects companies with universities, municipalities, corporate

partners, and other entities essential to executing commercial deployments.

“ Massachusetts can continue to be a global leader in climatetech with the support of MassCEC’ s CriticalMass program,” said State Senator Barry Finegold( D-Andover).“ This initiative not only provides critical funding but also connects startups with established organizations to deploy new clean energy technologies here in the Commonwealth. Programs like CriticalMass help drive innovation and propel long-term economic growth in Massachusetts.”

The CriticalMass awardees:

• Aeroshield Materials( Waltham, Mass.) – $ 1,000,000: Aeroshield will partner with WinnCompanies to deploy and validate a full-scale, aerogel-insulated window installation at two upcoming affordable housing communities in Boston.

• Luminous Robotics( Boston) – $ 994,369: Luminous Robotics will deploy and validate a fleet of advanced LUMI autonomous robots at the Nexamp

Russell Solar PV site in Massachusetts.

• Embue( Worcester, Mass.) – $ 973,880: Embue will partner with the Preservation of Affordable Housing( POAF), WorcLab, and others to deploy its Multifamily Virtual Power Plant( VPP) platform at affordable and workforce multifamily housing sites and buildings across Massachusetts, including Kenmore Abbey Apartments in Boston, WorcLab in Worcester, and a third site to be determined.

• SparkCharge( Somerville, Mass.) – $ 1,000,000: SparkCharge will partner with Global Partners L. P. to deploy their mobile, off-grid DC fast-charging hubs at high-traffic retail sites in Worcester, Ayer, and Pittsfield, with a focus on Environmental Justice communities. CriticalMass builds on MassCEC’ s long-standing Technology to Market programs— including InnovateMass, AmplifyMass, Catalyst / DICES, and the Innovation Ecosystem Program— by supporting companies as they transition from demonstration to commercial operations.