Manufacturing Champion – Advocate
Title: President & CEO
Company: Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, in Worcester
Locations: Three
Industry subsector: Biomanufacturing
Founded: 1984
Employees: 11
Other top executives: John Hallinan, board chair; Zu Shen, executive vice president, incubation
Primary product: Biomanufacturing leadership
Annual revenue: $5.3 million
Jon Weaver has focused his work on building Central Massachusetts’ biomanufacturing sector by coordinating efforts across government, industry, and education. Over the past three years, Weaver and MBI have worked with partners including Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, and state officials to position the region as a center for bioindustrial manufacturing.
That effort led to a $5.2-million state investment in 2025 to establish the Central Massachusetts BioHub, aimed at supporting production of bio-based materials, foods, and fuels.
The designation includes funding for workforce training, expansion of research programs, and the development of a prototyping lab at MBI. It supports outreach efforts to connect local residents with certificate programs and careers in the field.
MBI operates an incubator with more than 45 companies, helping startups access lab space and resources while working to retain them in the region. Weaver’s work centers on coordinating these efforts to build a regional industry cluster and expand manufacturing opportunities in Central Massachusetts.
Brad Kane is editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
