October Update: MTAF 3.0, Networking Opportunities, and Life Sciences Growth

It’s hard to believe it’s October with the warm weather we had earlier this month.  Nevertheless, fall is upon us, and so too are a myriad of exciting developments at MTI.

First, we officially launched MTAF 3.0 late in September, applications remain open until November 13th.  There is detailed information on our website.  In addition, we encourage everyone interested in applying for funding to attend one of our informational webinars, scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, October 15th at 11am Register HERE
• Tuesday, October 21st at 11am Register HERE
• Monday, October 27th at Noon Register HERE
• Thursday, November 6th at Noon Register HERE

In addition to MTAF closing on November 13th, on that same day, we are hosting a networking event in Rockport from 4:30-6:30 in collaboration with StartUp Maine.  The event is free, but please register in advance.  We’ll be providing tasty local treats and beverages and most importantly, a chance to talk to fellow entrepreneurs and innovators. If you’re interested in exhibiting, we have a limited number of tables available.  Please submit your request ici.

Finally, I’m sure you all saw Governor Mills’ announcement regarding the creation of the Maine Life Sciences Innovation Center designed to attract investment and foster innovation in life sciences, along with $2.7 million in grants by MTI for the Maine Life Sciences Incubator – a state-of-the-art laboratory to provide space, equipment, and resources to support emerging companies in the burgeoning life sciences industry.  Today, we are excited to welcome Sarah Delmar to MTI. Sarah has been named the Founding Director of the newly-created Maine Life Sciences Innovation Center. Sarah, of Orland, brings more than a decade of experience helping regions build stronger innovation economies. At the Cambridge Innovation Center, she led global expansion efforts to create hubs for entrepreneurship and job creation in cities around the world, including development of shared lab spaces for life science companies. More recently, she worked for FocusMaine on strengthening Maine’s homegrown life sciences sector and advancing the state’s shared lab infrastructure. Her official start date is October 14th. 

The Center and the Incubator together represent a significant investment in Maine’s growing life sciences sector, which today accounts for nearly 10,000 good-paying jobs and $2.3 billion in economic activity. The Center was officially established through an executive order signed by the Governor on September 19, and today has its first Director. You can read much more about Sarah in our Behind-the-Scenes segment, but we are pleased to have her on board and thrilled to have the opportunity to advance Maine’s Life Sciences industry.

We look forward to seeing many of you in person on November 13th.  Until then, enjoy these cool fall mornings and Maine’s abundant apple harvest.

BW