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MTI Blog

7/28/11 - Maine is Innovationland!

Early this summer, MTI was invited to participate in a panel discussion on Regional Clean Tech Initiatives at the global Clean Tech Expo in Boston, a conference that drew 3,000 companies and technology experts from around the world to Hynes Auditorium in Boston. I joined the Honorable Jennifer Granholm, Former Governor of Michigan, Larry Peterson of the Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities, Rebecca Bagley from Nortech in Ohio, and Liz Reynolds from MIT’s Industrial Performance Center for a lively discussion on what’s happening at the regional level to support innovation and entrepreneurship. For MTI to be among the participants is notable. It puts Maine on the map as a leader supporting innovation and entrepreneurs and it gave MTI the distinct opportunity to share some of the great news from Maine – news about advances in companies that are working in tidal power, biofuels, composite materials, renewable plastics, and aquaculture that are making enormous strides IN Maine FOR the global marketplace.

That same week, Maine hosted the 8th annual International EnergyOcean Conference, where delegates from over 10 countries and 20 states joined 500 attendees in Portland for three days of exploring and sharing the industry’s newest technological breakthroughs. And a couple weeks later, as sponsors of the CleanTech Venture Capital 101, MTI, the E2Tech Council and the New England Clean Energy Council helped connect Maine entrepreneurs from across the state with venture capitalists in Falmouth to learn how to best secure equity investment to fuel the growth of their companies.

The innovations were not only found in the clean and renewable tech sector. At TechMaine’s annual gala, congratulations went to MTI-funded Biovation’s biopolymer line, which won Best New Technology, and to Ocean Renewable Power Company, which scored Technology Company of the Year for 2011, as well as to Digital Research and to Stuart Rich from Pen Bay Solutions.

Finally, MTI hosted its Small Business Innovation Research Summer Session together with New England partner states to connect 140 companies with 10 federal agencies looking to fund small businesses in industries as wide ranging as agriculture to biotechnology with cutting edge product ideas that match national and global demand.

While we celebrate the summer season for which Maine has become so well known, it is worth remembering, and sharing with friends, family and neighbors from “away”, that Maine is also becoming known for our top-mark technology innovations. Share the news! Learn which companies are innovating and growing in your community and take the time to remind folks that in addition to the distinctive landscape and fantastic food they find in Maine, they can also find state-of-the-art technology tucked away in many of the same communities. From University of New England in Biddeford to Biovation in Boothbay to Echoheart in Damariscotta and Mook Sea Farm in Walpole to WindFloat in Camden to Maine Blue Stream Power in Blue Hill to the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor and ORPC in Eastport, MTI-supported companies and organizations dot the coast all the way downeast. From Pepin Associates in Greenville to Maine Standards in Windham, the mountains and lakes regions are home to some of Maine’s accomplished technology entrepreneurs as well. Not to mention the strong and growing communities of innovation in greater Portland and the Orono/Bangor region.

Take a minute to visit http://www.mainetechnology.org/results/list-of-awardees to familiarize yourself with MTI companies around the state, maybe close to your favorite lake, beach or harbor. Point people to the MTI’s Innovators in the News section which is constantly updated with MTI companies making news in Maine and nationally. And help us share the news that Maine is innovationland!

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