MassRobotics2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Nonprofit robotics hub in Boston's Seaport with lab and office residency for robotics, AI and connected-device startups. No equity taken; residents pay monthly for space.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- No equity
- Equity
- Residency minimum 3 months
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About MassRobotics
MassRobotics is an independent nonprofit robotics hub at 12 Channel Street in Boston's Seaport Innovation District. It calls itself the world's largest independent robotics hub. Its main offer is a residency: startups rent office, lab and test space and use shared robotic platforms, sensors, components, prototyping equipment and testing facilities. It is not a funded accelerator for residents. MassRobotics states that it does not fund or take equity in resident startups.
MassRobotics opened its doors in 2017. Its resident startups have raised more than $1 billion since then, and a 2024 report said it hosted over 85 robotics startups. Residents work on robotics, AI and connected devices, from concept through prototyping, testing, scaling and manufacturing.
There is no annual membership fee. Residents pay monthly based on the space they choose and the number of people on site, with no extra charge for equipment. The minimum stay is three months.
MassRobotics also ran an equity-free accelerator powered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. It was a 13-week, in-person program with $100,000 in non-dilutive funding per startup. It ran as a two-year, two-cohort program in 2024 and 2025 and is now listed under past challenges. Current programs include the Physical AI Fellowship with AWS and NVIDIA, an eight-week virtual program, and the Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst, which named 11 startups to its 2026 cohort.
What MassRobotics looks for
MassRobotics selects residents at its discretion. Its application page lists the technology, the market served, team fit and whether the company competes with current residents. The technology must be in robotics, connected devices or AI. Stage is flexible: residents range from concept and design through prototyping, testing, scaling and manufacturing. Startups that need real lab and test space for physical products get the most from the residency.
How the MassRobotics program works
The residency has no fixed curriculum. Startups move into the Seaport space for a minimum of three months and stay as long as it helps. They pay a monthly fee set by space type and headcount, and they can use shared equipment at no extra charge.
Residents get access to MassRobotics events, programming and industry connections. Separate programs run on their own schedules. The MassRobotics Accelerator ran 13 weeks in person, with content Tuesday to Thursday, $100,000 in non-dilutive funding and office space, but it finished after its 2025 cohort.
The Physical AI Fellowship is an eight-week virtual program with AWS and NVIDIA; applications for its 2026 cohort closed January 30.
How to apply to MassRobotics
- 1Check that your company works in robotics, AI or connected devices.
- 2Fill in the Resident Startup Application at massrobotics.org.
- 3Describe your technology, target market, team and space needs; MassRobotics also checks for overlap with current residents.
- 4Get a quote for your space and headcount, then commit to at least three months.
- 5For funded programs, watch for calls such as the Physical AI Fellowship and the Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
MassRobotics vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MassRobotics | No cash investment | No equity | Boston | Rolling admissions |
| MassChallenge | No cash investment | No equity | Boston, MA | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) | No cash investment | No equity | Boston, MA | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Techstars | $220K | 5% | Boston, Chicago, New York City, London, Baltimore, Los Angeles | November 18, 2026 (22 days left) |
| LearnLaunch Accelerator | $50K | Not published | Boston | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Greentown Labs | No cash investment | Not published | Boston | Rolling admissions |
MassRobotics FAQ
When is the MassRobotics application deadline?+
MassRobotics reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
Does MassRobotics take equity?+
No. MassRobotics states that it does not fund or take equity in its resident startups. Residents pay a monthly fee for space instead. The past MassRobotics Accelerator was also equity-free and gave each startup $100,000 in non-dilutive funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
How much does MassRobotics residency cost?+
There is no annual or membership fee. Residents pay monthly, and the amount depends on the space type and how many people work on site. Equipment use has no extra charge. MassRobotics does not post dollar prices, so request a quote. The minimum stay is three months.
Is the MassRobotics Accelerator still running?+
No cohort is open. The accelerator ran as a two-year, two-cohort program in 2024 and 2025, funded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and MassRobotics now lists it under past challenges. The two cohorts shared about $2 million in non-dilutive funding across 20 startups.
Where is MassRobotics?+
MassRobotics is at 12 Channel Street in Boston's Seaport Innovation District. The building has offices, labs, test areas and shared equipment for robotics startups. The past accelerator was also held in person at this location, with sessions running Tuesday to Thursday.
Sources: massrobotics.org, massrobotics.org, massrobotics.org, massrobotics.org, robotics247.com, innovation.masstech.org