Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD)
In October 2025, the Healey-Driscoll administration signed the Executive Order Establishing a Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange, and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD). The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) has initiated the formation of the SHIELD Working Group in collaboration with the following members:
- Executive Director of the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force,
- Secretary of Economic Development,
- Secretary of Education,
- Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development,
- Director of Federal Funds within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance,
- Executive Director of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center,
- Executive Director of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, and
- Executive Director of Mass Ventures.
The SHIELD Working Group will engage and activate defense sector leaders to catalyze collaboration amongst the broader technology and innovation ecosystem in support of economic and national security while addressing critical challenges. This Working Group shall:
- Promote research and development initiatives and partnerships that advance emerging technologies that are critical to economic and national security;
- Build upon partnerships between military institutions, private industry and academic research centers to strengthen public-private relationships, ensure access for small and medium businesses to opportunities, drive innovation and ensure the integrity of critical domestic supply chains;
- Support initiatives that enhance STEM education, workforce training and talent retention in defense-related fields in alignment with the Massachusetts defense sector’s current and future needs; and
- Identify and pursue federal and state funding opportunities that support research, prototyping, development, technology commercialization, adoption and deployment of technologies for defense applications and defense industrial base adoption.
Engage:
Please engage by completing this survey. Let us know how you are participating in the defense sector, if you would like to participate in follow-on discussion or if you would like to be updated on SHIELD’s progress.
All submitted survey responses are subject to public disclosure according to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (set forth at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10).
Additional Resources:
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Economic Development are excited to partner with you as you look to start, scale or grow your business in Massachusetts. Whether you are a well-established business in the state or considering moving and/or starting a business here, the Business Front Door is Massachusetts' newest platform to ensure that you receive the most up-to-date and relevant information about the state’s resources for businesses.
The Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) was launched to foster the most complete, most connected and fastest manufacturing ecosystem from innovation through production.
Workforce development is a major tenet of CAM’s work. Building and investing in talent across the state’s manufacturing industry is reflected in many of their programs, including:
- MassMakes: Helps companies across the state grow and create jobs by connecting them with a comprehensive range of services, including financial incentives, equipment grants, workforce training programs and talent acquisition
- MassBridge: Trains community college students to meet industry needs for today and beyond
- Makers of a Better Future: Introduces high school and grade school students to cutting-edge technologies and associated careers in advanced manufacturing including robotics, photonics, advanced functional fabrics, flexible hybrid electronics, additive manufacturing and semiconductors
- MassTech Intern Partnership: Offers students a concrete pathway into the industry and strengthens the state’s tech talent pipeline
Connecting Massachusetts-based manufacturers with capital is key to the success of the industry. CAM does this by offering funding via:
- Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2): Supports innovators across sectors as they begin manufacturing hardtech technologies
- Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP): Helps small- to medium-sized manufacturers prepare to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 and the manufacturing of new technologies and innovations that align with key industries in the state
The MassCyberCenter helps sustain a diverse, vibrant and competitive cybersecurity ecosystem that enhances resiliency for public and private entities, provides workforce development opportunities and elevates public cybersecurity awareness.
Businesses across all industries, of every shape and size, from startups to legacy brands, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The MassCyberCenter strengthens economic resiliency statewide by offering:
- Critical Infrastructure Toolkit: Raises awareness and shares guidance, frameworks, tools and best practices for critical infrastructure cybersecurity — especially for smaller organizations with limited resources
- A list of cyber resiliency resources
Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program: funding is available for municipalities, small businesses and nonprofits to receive a grant from the MassCyberCenter for up to $25,000 to fund Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services from CyberTrust Massachusetts for up to three years
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- The PROPEL Program gives NEMC Hub members with 100 or fewer employees access to grant funds to cover up to 75% of the costs associated with the utilization of lab-to-fab manufacturing services and third-party operations services as outlined below.
- The SCALE Capital: Massachusetts Lab-to-Fab Grant Program provides grant funding opportunities to Massachusetts-based projects in support of the NEMC mission to build-out a thriving microelectronics innovation ecosystem, bridging the gap between cutting-edge proof-of-concept devices and production readiness.
The Innovation Institute is the division of MassTech created in 2003 that advances innovation and cluster growth across the state in four ways:
- Conducts research and analysis that improves the state's understanding of unmet needs and opportunities in the innovation economy
- Serves as a convener and key strategic broker within various sectors
- Manages high-value projects on behalf of the state
- Makes strategic investments in support of innovation-based economic development
Anchored at the intersection of public sector priorities, world-class academic institutions and a vibrant innovation ecosystem, the Massachusetts AI Hub operates as a neutral convener and catalyst to translate AI leadership into broad-based economic and societal benefit. The Hub's efforts focus on connecting, accelerating and scaling AI initiatives that advance innovation, economic growth, workforce development and the public good across Massachusetts.