Active Surfaces Awarded $200,000 Grant from Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program
Woburn, MA – May 5, 2025 – Active Surfaces Inc., an MIT spinout pioneering ultra-light, flexible solar technology, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP), a flagship initiative of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech).
The funding will enable Active Surfaces to acquire advanced, automated manufacturing equipment to scale production of its next-generation thin-film solar modules. These innovations support seamless integration of solar power into the built environment—from commercial rooftops to facades—addressing a key gap in urban solar deployment and strengthening Massachusetts’ leadership in clean energy manufacturing.
“This award represents more than new equipment—it’s an investment in the future of clean energy manufacturing right here in Massachusetts,” said Shiv Bhakta, Founder & CEO of Active Surfaces. “With MMAP’s support, we’re accelerating the shift toward scalable, locally produced solar that can power cities and infrastructure in ways traditional panels can’t.”
Active Surfaces’ roll-to-roll thin-film platform uses lightweight, flexible materials to dramatically reduce installation costs and enable solar deployment on rooftops that cannot support conventional glass panels. The MMAP grant will help the company strengthen its Industry 4.0 capabilities, enhance in-state production, and drive the creation of clean energy manufacturing jobs in the Commonwealth.
The grant was formally announced at the MMAP Award Event in Worcester on April 24, where Active Surfaces was recognized alongside other innovative Massachusetts manufacturers. Kerry Bowie, Executive Director of Browning the Green Space, attended the event as a nonprofit partner to Active Surfaces, celebrating the company’s commitment to building an inclusive and resilient clean energy ecosystem in Massachusetts.
“Massachusetts continues to be a hub for climate innovation and advanced manufacturing,” Bhakta added. “We’re proud to contribute to that ecosystem and grateful to the MMAP, MassTech, and Browning the Green Space teams for their partnership.”
About Active Surfaces
Active Surfaces is redefining where solar can go. Spun out of MIT, the company develops ultra-light, flexible solar modules that install like a mat—no racking, no penetrations, and minimal labor. Manufactured in the U.S. using scalable roll-to-roll processes, Active Surfaces’ technology cuts soft costs, expands solar access, and strengthens domestic energy resilience.
About the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP)
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program, managed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, supports manufacturers in adopting advanced technologies, enhancing productivity, and expanding local innovation capacity. MMAP fosters Industry 4.0 development and helps position Massachusetts as a leader in next-generation manufacturing.
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