3 Worcester Orgs Get Grants From Collaborative Workspace Program

WORCESTER, MA—The Baker-Polito Administration recently awarded $1,257,592 million to 20 organizations in eastern Massachusetts, including three in Worcester, to strengthen community-based innovation and entrepreneurship in the Commonwealth’s cities and towns.

The second round of these Collaborative Workspace Program awards, managed by MassDevelopment, will build physical infrastructure to support new entrepreneurial ventures while spurring innovation and job creation at the local level.

The MassDiGI New Ventures Center at Becker College received $35,000 to create the first-ever augmented and virtual reality lab of its kind in central Massachusetts. MassDiGI is a community-facing business assistance center and incubation laboratory for students and novice entrepreneurs, said the announcement. The Center also functions as a virtual incubation host for interactive media, game development, and technology-centric undergraduate and graduate students and novice entrepreneurs from across the state with a focus on Gateway Cities.

Technopia in Worcester received $85,808 to help fund new workspaces, complete spaces that are in progress, expand community outreach, and increase class offerings. Technocopia is a nonprofit that offers training classes and workshops in its woodshop, computer lab, classroom, glass shop, metal shop and design studio.

Another Worcester collaborative space, Worcester Idea Lab, received $104,275 in grant money to enhance the Worcester Idea Lab’s space offerings and improve member access with additional classroom space that will elevate activity in the space.

“Massachusetts is home to an unrivaled innovation economy that has made us a destination for cutting-edge, world-class companies,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “These awards will lay a strong foundation for entrepreneurs collaborating to research and develop their ideas and businesses, driving job creation, economic growth and next generation advancements.”

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash announced the funds at an event at the Fairmount Innovation Lab in Boston, the second in a series of announcements for the Collaborative Workspace Program awards. Secretary Ash previously announced more than $340,000 in funding through the program for seven Western Massachusetts organizations. The awards awards include funding to support fit-out and feasibility work to grow collaborative spaces, innovation centers, maker spaces, artist spaces, collaborative kitchens, and cowork spaces.

The Collaborative Workspace Program provides grants for community-based organizations seeking funding to advance locally-based innovation and entrepreneurship. Collaborative spaces often feature open floor plans, community meeting spaces, and shared tools or equipment with emphasis on common and shared spaces.

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