Briana Warner, Atlantic Sea Farms, Wins 2021 Leadership Award for Business Leadership

(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 »

$2.2M in USDA funds awarded to help grow 11 Maine small businesses

(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 »

After winning $225K grant, Orono startup moves ahead with ocean-friendly drink lid

(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 »