(From Aquaculture North America) Located in Waldoboro, Maine Shellfish Developers is pioneering a non-coastal system to grow Eastern oysters year-round using recirculating aquaculture systems technology. The USDA supported exploration of this new frontier with two Small Business Innovation Research grants totaling $750,000. MTI was also an early backer. Read more »
(From Space.com) The world's first commercial booster powered by biofuel was launched from Maine. The Brunswick-based startup, bluShift Aerospace launched its first rocket prototype, called Stardust 1.0, despite freezing temperatures and two false starts. In addition to team members investing their own money into the project, the company received funding from MTI and NASA. Read more »
(From sbir.gov) Portland-based RockStep Solutions is one of the recipients of the 2020 Tibbetts Awards for exceptional successes achieved through SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. MTI helped them apply for SBIR funding, provided matching funding for their SBIR grants, and nominated the company for the prestigious award. Read more »
(From Specialty Food Association) CEO, Briana Warner rebranded Ocean Approved, Inc. as Atlantic Sea Farms and was the first commercially viable business to introduce domestic, fresh seaweed products to the marketplace. The Saco-based company fosters an underwater, regenerative crop that reduces the acidity of local waters and absorbs significant amounts of carbon. Ocean Approved, Inc. received SBIR support from the MTI TAP team. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Eleven Maine agribusinesses and farms will receive a total of $2.2 million in federal funding to help them grow their capacities and expand into new markets. The Value-Added Producer Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program will help the businesses enter into value-added activities related to processing and marketing of new agricultural products. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Paramount Planet Product was awarded a $225,000 National Science Foundation grant through the SBA's Small Business Technology Transfer program. MTI's technical assistance team, led by Karen West, helped with everything from choosing the right funding to completing the application. The startup aims to cut ocean pollution with low-cost, recyclable plant-based drink lids as an alternative to plastic. Read more »