Innovation Ecosystem Development Details

¿Quién debe aplicar?

Am I Eligible for Innovation Ecosystem Development Funding?

The Innovation Ecosystem Development Program aims to spur projects and programs from new and established organizations serving innovative startup businesses in Maine. Organizations not currently based in Maine are eligible to apply; however, all grant awards must be directed toward Maine-based projects/programs that benefit entrepreneurs in Maine. Applicants need to demonstrate how their project/program will support innovation and provide a catalyst for startup companies as they scale and grow in the state.

Your organization may be considered eligible for an Innovation Ecosystem Development Program grant award if:

• You have developed or have plans to develop and implement a project/program that serves Maine’s startup business community.
• Your proposed project/program supports innovation in one or more of MTI’s seven technology sectors.
• Your organization has funding available to match 1:1 the amount requested from the Innovation Ecosystem Development Program Fund. 
• Your organization is – or will be – registered with the Maine Secretary of State corporate registry before award funds are disbursed.
• Your organization can describe how its proposed program complements existing resources in Maine.

¿Cuánta financiación puedo solicitar?

The maximum award amount will not exceed $500,000. MTI Funding requests must be matched at least 1:1 with additional funds committed on behalf of the applicant organization.

We encourage collaborative efforts on proposed projects/programs; however, any particular organization can only serve as the primary applicant for one Innovation Ecosystem Development Program application.

Multi-year awards will be considered, and MTI reserves the right to tranche awards based on project/program milestones and performance vs. plan.

What Can I Use Innovation Ecosystem Development Funds For?

Funds must be used to implement the proposed project/program identified in your Application Word document. Your plan should directly support innovation and startup businesses in Maine’s technology sectors.

All project funds (MTI and matching investments) should be directed toward efforts that have not yet been completed: these funds are not meant to serve as reimbursement for prior expenditures.

Suggested expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Payroll costs and expenses for existing or new hires
• Compras de equipos relacionados con el negocio
• Startup costs for new projects/programs

Paso 1-Complete su papeleo

Utilizar el Documento de Word de la aplicación para proporcionar toda la información solicitada. Descargue el documento de Word de la aplicación, responda todas las preguntas y luego guarde el archivo.

También debe compilar archivos electrónicos para todos los documentos requeridos en nuestra lista de verificación a continuación.

Lista de verificación de la aplicación

Antes de acceder al Portal de solicitud en línea de MTI, necesitará los siguientes documentos listos para cargar.

1. Documento de Word de solicitud completado
2. Formulario W-9 firmado y fechado (Acceda a un Formulario W-9 en blanco AQUÍ )
3. Income Statement (or NPO Statement of Activities) for 2024 & YTD-2025
4. Current Balance Sheet (or NPO Statement of Financial Position)
5. Supporting documents (optional): letters of support, market data, team resumes, etc.

Step 2: Submit your application documents online

MTI has recently upgraded to a new online application portal.  All applicants will be required to create a new online account with a valid email address and register their organization in our new online portal database.

Once you have completed your Application Word Document and compiled all required financial documents in the checklist above, you must submit your application information through MTI’s new online portal.

The link to upload your application materials to MTI’s Online Application Portal is on Page 1 of the Application Word document.

The online application form will require that you enter specific data regarding your organization and then upload all required electronic files. 

Calculamos que necesitará al menos 30 minutos para completar el formulario de solicitud en línea, ingresar todos los datos requeridos, cargar todos los archivos electrónicos requeridos, firmar las divulgaciones electrónicas, revisar su formulario en línea y completar el envío de su solicitud en línea.

Puede guardar un formulario de solicitud en línea incompleto y volver a completarlo más tarde; sin embargo, you must return to complete your online application submission by the application deadline date — incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

MTI recomienda completar la solicitud en línea de una sola vez, después de haber recopilado todos los elementos requeridos indicados anteriormente.

¿Qué sucede si necesito ayuda con mi solicitud?

For questions regarding this program, please contact Tom Kittredge at: [email protected].

We attempt to respond to all emails within 24 hours.

¿Qué sucede después de aplicar?

Debería recibir un correo electrónico de confirmación poco después de que se haya enviado su solicitud.

After the application deadline, each application will be evaluated by our ecosystem review team.

As part of the review process, MTI staff may contact applicants for additional information or clarification. The total amount of awards will be dependent upon the total number of Innovation Ecosystem Development Program Fund applications received and the aggregate scoring from all reviewers.

Scoring will be based on the following four categories of assessment:

1. Alignment with MTI mission:  Economic impact for Maine
2. Team
3. Value Proposition and Market Need for the proposed program here in Maine
4. Implementation plan

There will be two rounds of scoring. Applicants who advance to the second round of the competition will pitch to MTI’s Board of Directors during the month of August. MTI will work with these applicants to find a convenient time for this pitch session, which will take approximately thirty minutes, including Q&A.

All applicants will be notified via email regarding award determinations.  MTI plans to notify all applicants of funding decisions no later than September 30, 2025.

If your organization is selected for funding, MTI staff will work with you to compose the award agreement customized to specify measurable project deliverables, a finalized project budget, and an award payment schedule. We anticipate initial award payments will be made by Q4-2025.