Connecting with State's Innovation Future

Last month I had the pleasure of representing the Berkshires on a panel at an event in Boston hosted by the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP), a non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(4) public policy group comprised of chief executive officers of some of the Commonwealth's largest businesses.  The organization, led by former Secretary of Economic Development Jay Ash, seeks to promote job growth and competitiveness by working in collaboration with public officials and business and civic leaders across the Commonwealth. 

The event was focused on Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)—the incubators, accelerators, and innovation centers that help entrepreneurs turn ideas into companies – and served as an opportunity to release a new report from MACP that makes a strong case that while Massachusetts boasts a wealth of ESOs across all regions, the system supporting them is overdue for modernization and coordination.

The report, “Entrepreneurial Support Organizations in Massachusetts: Assessing Impact and Investing for the Future,” offers a roadmap for how the Commonwealth can strengthen its position as a national leader in entrepreneurship. The core message is clear: Massachusetts has the talent and infrastructure to compete—but it needs a more cohesive, well-funded strategy to support the organizations working with startups every day.

For the Berkshires, this is a moment of opportunity. Not only are we part of this broader network, we’re helping to shape what it could become.

A Fragmented but Powerful Network

From Cambridge to Worcester, New Bedford to North Adams, ESOs are doing vital work—often with limited resources. These organizations serve as first responders for entrepreneurs, offering space, mentorship, technical support, and access to funding and markets. That said, MACP noted that the Commonwealth’s support for these organizations is inconsistent, siloed, and difficult to navigate.

Other states are moving faster. New York’s NYSTAR initiative provides certified ESOs with consistent funding and recognition. Michigan has created “SmartZones” that cluster ESOs around regional strengths, distributing millions in support. Kansas and Ohio have taken similar steps. By contrast, Massachusetts relies on a patchwork of programs that vary in focus and accessibility.

The risk isn’t theoretical. States with coordinated ESO networks are winning the race to attract startups, investors, and talent. Massachusetts, despite its many advantages, is losing ground.

Investing in Infrastructure—and in Community

MACP recommends that Massachusetts commit $200 million over the next decade to create a coordinated ESO network. The proposal includes operational funding, infrastructure investment, and a centralized platform for entrepreneurs and support organizations to connect.

This is not just a policy fix—it’s a strategy for inclusive economic development. Stronger ESOs mean more companies, more jobs, and more innovation reaching the market. And it means communities like ours have a reliable pipeline for accessing the state’s resources and contributing to its success.

The BIC’s Role in the Broader Ecosystem

Here in Berkshire County, the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) serves as a regional ESO supporting startups and entrepreneurs, and partnering with a local ecosystem of organizations serving various small businesses in our region.  BIC is primarily focused on advanced manufacturing and technology focused businesses, but every year we find ourselves serving more and more industries and reaching startups further from our primary location in Pittsfield.  

Critically, the BIC is more than simply a local initiative—it’s a participant in the Commonwealth’s broader innovation network.  We collaborated constantly with quasi state agencies such as the Mass Tech Collaborative, the Mass Clean Energy Center, and the Mass Life Sciences Center, and through those agencies we have developed strong ties with incubators and innovation centers all across the Commonwealth. 

These bonds with other incubators and accelerators, however, are informal and almost entirely reliant on personal relationships we have built over the years.  The MACP report envisions a far more coordinated and interconnected role for ESOs across all of Massachusetts. The idea is not to elevate a few flagship organizations, but to knit them together into a network where each plays a role based on its unique assets. That’s how we ensure that the next generation of successful companies comes not just from Boston or Cambridge, but from Springfield, Lowell, Fall River—and Pittsfield.

Equity, Access, and Economic Development

Beyond funding and structure, MACP calls for a cultural shift. ESOs should be recognized and celebrated for the critical work they do, and entrepreneurs across all regions and backgrounds should have clear, equitable access to their support.

This is especially relevant in rural regions like ours. The BIC—and other ESOs in Western Massachusetts—serve entrepreneurs who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional venture ecosystems. With better coordination and investment, these organizations can help ensure that the innovation economy reaches every corner of the Commonwealth. 

A Path Forward

The MACP recommendations offer a blueprint, but they will require political will and public-private collaboration to implement.  There is a lot of potential, but there needs to be a statewide agency or organization that acts as the hub for the ESOs and helps to bridge and coordinate.  If the right organization is identified, and the existing ESOs are brought together in a thoughtful and meaningful way, this new network could make Massachusetts more competitive, more inclusive, and better prepared to support entrepreneurs wherever they are.

Final Thought

The Berkshires have long been seen as outside the state’s major innovation corridors. But that perception is changing—and it should. With organizations like the BIC serving as regional nodes in a larger system, our community is not just included in the conversation about economic development—it’s helping to lead it.

As state leaders consider how to build the next generation of startup infrastructure, they would do well to look west—to see what’s already working, and to invest in building on that momentum.