Behind the Scenes with Maria Forney: Building Maine’s Tech Future 

Maria Forney has spent her career helping technology companies grow—from supporting startups at Oracle to leading strategic partnerships and sustainability initiatives. Today, as Chair of the IT Technology Board at the Maine Technology Institute (MTI), she brings that experience to one mission: helping Maine’s innovators turn ambitious ideas into thriving businesses.

Forney has always been drawn to people who are building something that doesn’t exist yet.

“I’ve always been inspired and energized by people who are creating something new,” she says. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how the right advice, connections, and funding at the right moment can completely change a company’s trajectory.”

That belief is what brought her to MTI.

“Maine has an incredible concentration of talented innovators solving meaningful problems,” she says. “MTI gives me the opportunity to help entrepreneurs turn great ideas into companies that create jobs, strengthen our economy, and improve lives.”

Looking Beyond the Technology

As Chair of MTI’s IT Technology Board, Forney works alongside fellow board members and MTI staff to evaluate funding applications and help guide investment decisions.

While board meetings are an important part of the process, much of the work happens beforehand.

“I spend a lot of time reviewing proposals, researching markets, understanding technical risks, and preparing questions,” she explains. “Our goal is to fully understand each opportunity before making thoughtful investment decisions.”

Her career has taught her that successful companies are built on much more than innovative technology.

“I’ve learned that companies rarely fail because of technology alone,” she says. “Market timing, leadership, customer discovery, partnerships, and execution often matter just as much.”

That perspective helps her evaluate not only whether an innovation is exciting, but whether it has a realistic path to becoming a sustainable business.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

When reviewing proposals, Forney is especially energized by founders who pair creativity with a deep understanding of the problems they’re trying to solve.

“The strongest applications don’t simply present an interesting technology,” she says. “They clearly explain the customer need, demonstrate why their solution is different, and show they’ve listened carefully to the market.”

Her advice to entrepreneurs reflects that philosophy.

“Spend as much time talking with customers as you do building your product,” she says. “Great technology matters, but customer validation is what turns innovation into a successful business.”

Watching Maine Companies Grow

One company that stands out for Forney is Bookclubs, whose application immediately caught her attention.

“As an enthusiastic reader, I immediately understood the problem they were solving,” she says.

Since then, she’s enjoyed watching the company grow from an early-stage Maine startup into a globally recognized platform helping millions of readers organize book clubs, discover new books, manage discussions, and build reading communities.

“It’s a great reminder that innovative companies can start in Maine and have worldwide impact.”

Looking Ahead for Maine Innovation

Forney sees tremendous opportunity as emerging technologies continue to intersect with many of Maine’s traditional industries.

“We’re entering an exciting period where AI, advanced manufacturing, climate technology, life sciences, and Maine’s strengths in forestry, marine science, and agriculture increasingly overlap,” she says. “Maine is building a reputation for applying advanced technology to solve real-world problems, particularly those connected to our natural resources and rural economy.”

If she could solve one challenge for Maine entrepreneurs overnight, however, the answer comes quickly.

“Access to growth-stage capital,” she says. “Helping more companies secure the funding they need to scale without leaving the state would have a tremendous impact on Maine’s innovation economy.”

Outside the Office

When she’s not supporting Maine’s innovation ecosystem, you’ll likely find Forney outdoors.

Swimming tops the list.

“As much time as possible swimming,” she laughs. “Sharks be damned.”

Her ideal Maine weekend also includes hiking, sailing on Penobscot Bay, gardening, coffee on a favorite rock overlooking the water, and ending the day watching the sunset with family and friends.

She’s currently reading All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, listening to How I Built This, SmartLess, or workout playlists, and is always looking for new podcast recommendations.

Whether she’s reviewing funding applications or enjoying time on the Maine coast, Forney remains inspired by the same thing that first drew her to MTI: helping bold ideas become lasting impact for Maine communities.