By Walther Morales Rios
Senior Program Manager, Boston Impact Initiative
[email protected]

Many Latino-owned businesses, especially those already offering construction, installation, maintenance, or technical services, are closer than they think to tapping into a new wave of business opportunities in the clean energy economy. This sector grows year after year, moves billions of dollars, and needs reliable contractors who already know how to get the job done.

In Massachusetts, clean energy is no longer just an environmental conversation. It’s an economic one. The state is investing heavily to make homes, buildings, vehicles, and systems more efficient, more affordable, and less polluting. Why? Because these efforts cut long-term costs, improve infrastructure, and help meet environmental targets that are already established in law. All of this is creating real demand for local businesses that can deliver effective solutions.

And when we talk about clean energy, we don’t just mean solar panels. We’re referring to a broad range of services and technologies that reduce energy use and modernize the way our cities function. This includes work that many Latino businesses are already doing: HVAC installation, electrical services, insulation, roofing, painting, construction, and more.

So why haven’t more of these businesses entered the market? Part of the reason is perception. For years, this sector has seemed out of reach, complicated projects reserved only for large corporations. But that is changing. Today, there are programs, resources, and procurement processes that aim to open the door to businesses that may not be corporate giants but have the experience and potential to grow. What’s still missing is clear information, trusted guidance, and a solid entry strategy. The good news? The path forward already exists.

Since 2010, Massachusetts has invested over one billion dollars in this transition. According to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the sector now generates more than $14 billion a year and supports over 100,000 jobs. And it’s not slowing down. While other states debate the future of these policies, Massachusetts continues to move forward with steady investments and strong public-private partnerships.

This is already transforming real businesses.

Valley Home Insulation, for example, provides energy efficiency services to families in Latino communities in Merrimack Valley, employing over 30 people and helping households reduce their energy bills. Eco Auto, one of the state’s fastest-growing electric and hybrid vehicle dealerships in the state, offers affordable cars, consumer education, and access to clean transportation in communities with limited access to this kind of technology. These businesses show that when your products and services help people save energy, cut costs, or meet new environmental standards, you not only create positive social and environmental impact, you also open the door to new revenue streams, contracts, and investment. Clean energy also opens the door to small businesses in a growing ecosystem of opportunities supported by both public and private investment.

This is where the GreenEdge Accelerator comes in.

GreenEdge is a business accelerator led by Boston Impact Initiative (BII), with support from MassCEC, designed to help Latino-, Black-, and women-owned businesses build a solid foundation in the clean energy space. It’s for companies that are already operating or ready to enter the sector and grow. The program targets businesses with at least two employees or $150,000 in annual revenue that are ready to scale with a clear and structured strategy.
Participants receive one-on-one advising, technical training, support for key certifications, and strategic guidance to help them approach real public and private procurement opportunities more effectively.

And because GreenEdge is housed at BII, businesses that demonstrate strong potential for growth, resilience, and alignment with BII’s mission may also be referred to BII’s Investment Team for consideration. This creates a real, though not guaranteed, pathway to capital that can power the next stage of expansion. In simple terms: if your business is ready and meets the criteria, you may be considered for investment.

Participation is free but selective. Applications for the first group close on July 31, 2025.
More information: https://greenedgema.org/apply/

This isn’t about buzzwords or trends. It’s about being ready when the next contract drops, the next client calls, or the next door opens. It’s about preparing, strengthening your business, and not missing an opportunity that’s already gaining momentum.

The companies that lead today’s industries got there because they understood, early on, where the market was headed. Now, that clarity is within reach for many Latino businesses too.

This time, there’s a path forward.
Will you take it?