MTI Funding FAQs

Maine Technology Institute (commonly referred to as MTI) is a nonprofit that supports Maine’s innovation economy. Founded and funded in 1999 by the Maine State Legislature, MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to businesses and organizations across the state. To learn more about MTI, visit our About page.

MTI has four programs that it runs continuously: Business Innovation Funding, the Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corp, Event Sponsorship, and Federal Funding Assistance. MTI also occasionally runs other programs or competitions to support specific initiatives.

While all MTI programs are focused on growing Maine’s innovation economy, each program has slightly different criteria. Visit the specific page for each program to learn more about their criteria. If you believe you are eligible or have questions after reviewing the program page, please submit an Interest Form request (the link is on every program page) to speak with an MTI representative.

MTI’s four core programs (Business Innovation Funding, the Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corp, Event Sponsorship, and Federal Funding Assistance) do not have deadlines to apply – applicants may apply at any time. If MTI is currently running any additional programs, you can find the deadline to apply on that page.

For all MTI core programs (Business Innovation Funding, Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corp, Event Sponsorship, and Federal Funding Assistance), the first step is to submit an Interest Form. The link to the Interest Form can be found on the pages of these programs. Once you submit an Interest Form, an MTI representative will reach out to set up an initial phone or video call to discuss your eligibility and answer any questions.

MTI has a guidance document with instructions and troubleshooting for using our online portal. Please review this guidance document if you are encountering any issues. If you are still unable to answer your question, please reach out to MTI at [email protected]

MTI seeks to support products, services, and processes that are substantially differentiated from existing alternatives. The context for innovation varies sector by sector and business by business, but all applicants will need to demonstrate that their innovation provides them with a competitive advantage and positions the business to scale. Ultimately, MTI is looking for businesses to grow as a result of their innovation and create additional economic impact in Maine.

All businesses that receive MTI funding must be registered with Maine’s Bureau of Corporations and in “Good Standing.” Additionally, all businesses must demonstrate that they are predominantly based in Maine. MTI considers several factors when assessing if a business is predominantly Maine-based, including the location of the leadership team members, the number of employees in Maine vs. other locations, whether the business has physical headquarters in Maine, as well as other factors. If you are unsure whether your business qualifies as being Maine-based, you may submit an Interest Form to speak with an MTI representative, who will be able to assist on this assessment. Businesses participating in an approved Maine-based accelerator or incubator may also be eligible for MTI funding if they can demonstrate that the business plans to remain in Maine beyond the duration of the program.

MTI supports projects that help a business move their innovation forward. MTI representatives collaborate with potential applicants to determine what project is the best use of MTI support. Common project activities include research and development, intellectual property protection, and commercialization efforts such as sales or marketing campaigns. Applicants may focus their project on one singular activity or multiple activities that move the innovation forward.

MTI is bound by its governing legal statute that emphasizes confidentiality in all its dealings with clients.  To view the confidentiality portion of the statute, click here. MTI staff, technology reviewers, and board members all sign confidentiality agreements and conflict of interest policies. MTI staff do not sign individual NDAs, but if businesses have concerns beyond the scope of the protections offered in our existing documents, they may reach out to MTI to explore additional options.

MTI’s statute requires that all applicants have at least a 1-1 match for an MTI funding request. Applicants for MTI funding will need to demonstrate that they have secured sufficient funding to match their MTI request. MTI is flexible as to the source of this funding, as long as it is not from another State of Maine funded entity (such as the Maine Venture Fund). On occasion, MTI is also able to accept a portion of the founder’s sweat equity (unpaid time on the project) as part of the match. To learn more about match options, applicants should speak with an MTI representative.

On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier used across the federal government changed from the DUNS number to the Unique Entity ID number generated by SAM.gov. The Unique Entity ID (UEID) number is required and free to obtain. We will need to report all awards to the federal government and include the UEID number for that account.

• The Unique Entity ID number is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by SAM.gov.
• As part of this transition, the DUNS number has been removed from SAM.gov.
• Entity registration, searching, and data entry in SAM.gov now require use of the new Unique Entity ID number.
• Existing registered entities can find their Unique Entity ID number by following the steps here.
• New entities can get their Unique Entity ID number at SAM.gov and, if required, complete an entity registration.
• The SAM.gov website has a video and a list of FAQs. (Videos can be found halfway down the SAM.gov page.)
• Please note — the registration process allows you to obtain just a Unique Entity ID (UEID) number or also to register your business so that you can bid on government contracts. The video indicates that you need to register your entity to get federal awards. The award you are applying for through the PRIME Ecosystem Fund is NOT a direct federal award. Unless you plan to bid on government contracts most applicants for the PRIME Ecosystem Fund only need to sign up for the UEID number. (Easier and faster.)
• If you have attempted to register your UEID number with SAM.gov but have received a message stating your request requires further review, you can still proceed with MTI’s online application for the PRIME Ecosystem Fund. Click here to learn more. However, please note that we cannot make any award payment if the UEID number has not been assigned to the organization from SAM.gov.