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Eight entrepreneurial teams, working with cutting-edge climate technologies, pitched solutions aimed at advancing Massachusetts' climate innovation economy
SOMERVILLE, Mass. – Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and FedTech are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Massachusetts Climatetech Studio Showcase, held yesterday at Greentown Labs in Somerville. The event marked the culmination of the inaugural Climatetech Studio cohort, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering climate and energy innovation through entrepreneurship.
24 entrepreneurs, organized into eight teams, pitched their cutting-edge climate technologies to a distinguished panel of judges. These teams were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 170 applicants to participate in the Climatetech Studio program, which was launched in collaboration with FedTech. The cohort includes entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, with 70% of participants being Massachusetts residents, 38% women, and over 50% from environmental justice communities.
The winning teams were chosen based on their innovative solutions, market potential, and ability to help the Commonwealth meet its climate goals. Each team was paired with groundbreaking climate-related intellectual property (IP), seven of which originated from Massachusetts-based research institutions.
Winning Teams
- H2Everywhere – Alice Wang, Alfredo Galvan, Marty Cissell
Tech Source: UMass Lowell
This technology uses a thermal catalytic process with a nickel-based catalyst to convert carbon dioxide and water into formic acid under mild conditions. This method is more energy-efficient than traditional hydrogen production techniques. Formic acid serves as a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier, usable as an energy source in Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells or decomposed into hydrogen and CO2 for hydrogen fuel cells.
- Respire Energy – Candy Wong, Dave Hsu, Xiaowei Teng
Tech Source: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
This novel battery design uses aqueous electrolytes and non-toxic electrode materials to provide a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional batteries. Key features include water-based electrolytes that reduce fire risks and abundant, cost-effective materials like aluminum, avoiding supply chain limitations. The technology improves ion movement efficiency, expands the operational voltage range through strategic salt addition, and enhances safety, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from marine vehicles to large-scale grid storage systems.
- CoBon Technologies – Joan Barcelona, Tim Cunningham, Carter Racine
Tech Source: Texas A&M
This technology transforms CO2 into valuable CO using a special catalyst made from pharmaceutical waste and carbon nanotubes, achieving high efficiency and effectiveness. It performs well in both small-scale and large-scale setups, making it a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions and integrating with renewable energy sources.
The first-place team will receive $50,000, with second and third places receiving $30,000 and $20,000 respectively. All eight teams will be eligible for FedTech Alumni Services regardless of whether they win a showcase prize. Alum services include access to a pool of grant money, Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), custom workshops, consulting services, and a tailored menu of services, opportunities, and programs for startups in Massachusetts.
“The Massachusetts Climatetech Studio shows just how serious the state is about tackling the climate crisis,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We’re putting our money into innovative technologies and supporting a diverse group of entrepreneurs. This not only boosts our climate and clean energy goals but also helps Massachusetts shine as a global leader in climatetech innovation. Congratulations to all the participants and winners of the showcase.”
“As we continue to feel the accelerating impacts of climate change here in Massachusetts, it’s clear that breakthrough technologies are critical to meeting our state’s ambitious clean energy targets,” said Emily Reichert, MassCEC CEO. “The Climatetech Studio is designed to fill a crucial gap, bringing promising climate technologies from the lab to market by pairing them with diverse entrepreneurs who have the vision to scale these solutions. By supporting early-stage innovation, we are advancing our climate goals and positioning Massachusetts as the world’s climatetech leader.”
Over the past 16 weeks, participants underwent an intensive curriculum designed to validate their technology and market fit. In addition to the pitch competition, the Showcase featured a panel of climate industry experts and a networking session, fostering further collaboration in the rapidly growing clean energy sector.
"The Massachusetts Climatetech Studio pairs lab technologies with entrepreneurs through FedTech’s proven startup studio model. With MassCEC and the state’s vibrant climatetech ecosystem, we are advancing Massachusetts' climate goals together,” said FedTech Chief Deliver Officer, Robyn Brazzil. “Following a rigorous program, our first cohort is poised to launch exciting ventures, and we look forward to expanding to 10 technologies and 30 entrepreneurs in 2025!"
The Massachusetts Climatetech Studio, funded by the American Rescue Plan, was created to drive innovation and investment in early-stage climate technologies—especially in sectors that are challenging to decarbonize. This initiative is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, actively assembling talented teams, providing them with expert guidance and education, and facilitating the commercialization of climate-related IP. By offering this level of support, the Studio is addressing a critical gap in Massachusetts' efforts to accelerate the development of breakthrough solutions.
As the Studio’s first cohort wraps up, MassCEC is excited to announce the launch of applications for the second cohort, building on the success of this year’s program. Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
For more information on the Massachusetts Climatetech Studio and the Showcase, visit www.masscec.com/program/climatetech-studio.
About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.