FAQ

Anyone whose company/organization is based in Massachusetts, has a revolutionary product, technology or process, and does not employ over 150 people.

Of course; if you have a new product or technology, you are welcome to apply again.

Absolutely! Previous applicants are encouraged to apply again. Our team is here to help you submit a strong application pitch.

Tracks are updated every year, to reflect current market trends; for 2026, the tracks are: Biotech Deeptech & AI Greentech & Climatech Healthy Living & HealthTech Medical Devices Minority-Owned

Contact us directly (contactus@MassInnov.org) and we will be happy to discuss with you and offer suggestions.

There is a $85 non-refundable fee to submit your application.

Yes, you can apply for more than one Tracks/Categories, but only ONE product entry per applicant is accepted within each Track.

Attendance is not required to enter the competition. If your company/organization is selected to be a Finalist, you MUST have a representative attend the following events: - Finalist Information Meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 (4-7 pm); - The Eddies Innovation Showcase, Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 (5-8:00 pm), - set up will start at 2pm for startups, so please block half your day for this event, and - Evening of Innovation/Award Ceremony, Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 (5-8 pm) Failure to send a representative to attend these events will disqualify the applicant; the runner up will be offered a place in the competition. No exceptions will be made.

All Winners will be announced at the Evening of Innovation/ Eddies Award Night which will take place on November 18th 2026; NO Winner will be notified ahead of time; no exceptions will be made.

All entries are judged on a 150-point system, which is comprised of the following parameters: 1. Degree of Innovation: Maximum Value: 70 points 2. User Benefits/Problem-Solving: Maximum Value: 30 Points. 3. Future & Sustainability of the Venture: Maximum Value: 20 Points 4. Clarity & Effectiveness of Application Presentation or Video: Maximum Value: 15 Points 5. Team Complementary Skills and Abilities/Commercialization Experience: Maximum Value: 15 Points

Mentors and Finalists meet one another during the Finalist Information Session on June 3rd. After they discuss and ask questions in an open-format, they usually get matched with one another by the end of the night. Those not matched are matched by the MassInnoV teams (based on their intake questionnaire requirements). Oftentimes, Mentors ask to be matched with Innovators from a particular industry, so they can best leverage their own knowledge and experience during the Mentoring period. Their requests are very seriously considered.

A specific request will be considered, but it may not always be granted (depending on a number of factors that affect final matching decisions at the time).

The Mentorship program is optional, but strongly recommended. It is an added benefit of the program, that a start-up may not be able to afford at the time, as consulting services tend to be pricey. Even if no systematic meetings are arranged over the 20-week mentoring period, each Finalist team has to meet with their Mentor at least 4 times, from June to September. Mentors can also provide a useful source of guidance and support well after the innovation competition is over; their experience can prove to be a valuable asset for a young startup.