RISE Robotics Awarded $100,000 MassVentures Grant to Accelerate Commercialization of Beltdraulic Technology
Somerville, Massachusetts, USA, September 1st, 2026, FinanceWire
RISE Robotics, a developer of electric actuation technology for heavy machinery and defense applications, today announced that it has been awarded a $100,000 START Grant from MassVentures, a competitive, non-dilutive program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts supporting the commercialization of advanced technologies. As a Stage I awardee, RISE is also eligible to compete for up to $800,000 in total START funding as it advances through subsequent stages of the program.
The award provides additional support for RISE's efforts to expand commercialization of its Beltdraulic technology. Beltdraulic is a high-force electric actuation system designed to replace traditional hydraulic systems with a fluid-free architecture, delivering hydraulic-class force with greater digital control, improved efficiency, and precision.
Hydraulics have been a foundational technology in heavy machinery for decades, powering equipment ranging from construction machinery to agricultural and industrial systems. RISE is developing an alternative architecture based on electric motors, belts, and pulleys that is designed to deliver high force without hydraulic fluid.
The MassVentures START award adds to RISE's growing track record of government-backed technology development.
In February 2026, RISE received a $3 million U.S. Air Force Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award to advance SuperJammer, its fluid-free munitions handling system, toward testing and evaluation. SuperJammer applies RISE's electric actuation technology to demanding defense environments where precision, reliability, and the elimination of hydraulic fluid can provide significant advantages.
The two programs support complementary stages of RISE's commercialization strategy. The Air Force award supports development and productization of the technology for defense applications, while the MassVentures START Grant supports efforts to translate the underlying technology into broader commercial markets.
“This award is a strong validation of the progress we’ve made translating advanced engineering into real-world systems,” said Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics. “Massachusetts continues to be an important partner in helping companies like ours move from breakthrough technology to commercial deployment.”
RISE is targeting the broader heavy machinery market, where the company estimates the opportunity at approximately $750 billion. Its Beltdraulic platform is designed to enable equipment manufacturers to replace conventional hydraulic systems with electric actuation while also creating a foundation for digital control, teleoperation, and autonomous operation.
RISE Robotics has generated more than $9 million in total revenue to date and is currently conducting a Regulation Crowdfunding offering that is open to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
About the MassVentures START Program
The START Grant Program, administered by MassVentures, provides non-dilutive funding to Massachusetts-based companies with active SBIR/STTR Phase II awards. The program is designed to help companies transition federally funded innovations toward commercialization, product development, and job creation within the Commonwealth.
About RISE Robotics
RISE Robotics is a deep technology company developing electric actuation systems for the heavy machinery and defense markets. Its flagship Beltdraulic technology uses a belt-and-pulley architecture to deliver high-force linear motion without hydraulic fluid.
RISE's technology is designed to provide a pathway from conventional hydraulic systems to electric, digitally controlled machinery, with potential applications across construction, agriculture, industrial equipment, and defense.
RISE has generated more than $9M in total revenue and is a Reg CF company, allowing both accredited and non-accredited investors to own a piece of its innovative technology.
Contact
Lauren DamonRISE Robotics
lauren@riserobotics.com
(617) 863-2521
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