MassVentures is a Massachusetts venture capital firm founded in 1978 and one of the world’s oldest funds of its kind. As an evergreen fund, it reinvests proceeds from successful exits to support new ventures and foster economic growth across the state. Over nearly five decades, the firm has backed early-stage innovators with capital, mentorship and strategic guidance, particularly those emerging from academic research and engineering breakthroughs. Headquartered in Waltham with a secondary office in Worcester, MassVentures engages with innovators from every region of the Commonwealth.
The firm focuses on deep tech sectors that rely on substantial scientific advances and engineering innovation. Target areas include quantum computing, clean energy, life sciences, advanced materials and agricultural and food technologies. Investments typically range from $1 million to $5 million at seed and early stages, and by 2024 MassVentures had deployed over $112 million across 186 startups. Support extends beyond funding to operational advice and connections to its network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts. Through MV Capital, the firm offers both equity investments and non-dilutive grants for academic spinouts. MV Accelerate delivers technical assistance and mentoring via accelerator programs and workshops, and MV Spinouts partners with local universities to translate research into commercial ventures and job creation.
Programs such as SBIR START and Catalyst grants have delivered more than $25 million in non-dilutive funding to over 85 companies, many working on environmental and sustainability solutions. Battery technology investments include Adden Energy, a developer of solid-state lithium-metal cells with ultra-fast charging and long cycle life; Imperia Batteries, known for high-energy lithium-ion systems; and Solid Energy Systems, a specialist in advanced cell architectures. The portfolio also features companies focused on waste-to-energy conversion, landfill gas optimization and energy-saving materials for buildings.
