Innovator Spotlight
From potato vodka to gene sequencing, MTI fuels Maine’s legendary ingenuity. Since 1999, we’ve propelled innovators from brilliant ideas to market success, amplifying their economic impact across the state.
Electrifying Maine's Marine Economy
The MTI network has also helped amplify Island Institute’s efforts and spread awareness throughout Maine’s broader community. –Lia Morris, Senior Community Development Officer, Island Institute Leading the Charge Toward Cleaner Waters For 41 years, Island Institute has worked with island and coastal communities in Maine to address their most pressing economic and environmental…
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Ethical Digital Stewardship
MTI has been a multiplier for our team’s efforts. Their funding and guidance were key in helping us progress from proof-of-concept to MVP to enterprise partnerships. By staying grounded in Maine while building for the world, we’re demonstrating that global impact doesn’t have to come at the expense of local connection. –Thomas Law,…
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Earth-Friendly Prefab Building Panels
We see a future where buildings regenerate rather than deplete; where construction is a force for climate restoration, economic resilience, and human well-being. –Croft Team A Prefab Revolution Rooted in Maine’s Forests and Fields In the face of Maine’s 84,000-unit housing deficit, Croft is pioneering a revolutionary approach to construction that’s environmentally regenerative, cost-effective,…
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Advancing Sustainable Marine Protection
MTI’s support played a key role in helping us scale operations, hire a sales consultant, connect with key industry stakeholders, and develop our marketing and distribution strategy. –Bernard Hidier, Innovation & Business Development Pioneering Eco-Friendly Solutions for Marine Protection Maine’s extensive coastline and maritime heritage make it the perfect launching point for Finsulate USA,…
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CIVA | Civic Intelligence Virtual Assistant
Revolutionizing Civic Technology
MTI played a crucial role in our growth by funding a pilot project with MaineHealth in early 2024.” –Jermaine Hartsfield, CIVA’s COO Making Government Resources More Accessible with Smart Technology An estimated 40% of federal aid goes unclaimed each year due to bureaucratic barriers and inefficient systems. Portland startup…
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Creating a plastic-free future
Maine’s population of just over 1 million fosters a uniquely accessible business environment. Decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers are approachable and collaborative. People here tend to follow through on commitments and embody a strong work ethic. –Melissa LaCasse, CEO, Tanbark Molded Fiber Scaling Sustainable Solutions for a Plastic-Free Future In an era where industrial innovation…
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Portable medical simulation training
Not only has MTI helped a business grow in Maine, but it has helped improve the safety of its residents, and patients across the country.. –Jason Hine, MD, Founder of SimKit Revolutionizing Emergency Medicine Training with MERC Support In the fast-paced world of emergency medicine, maintaining procedural skills for rare, life-saving interventions is crucial….
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Healthy Savory Snacks from Maine
The MERC process was easy to navigate and allowed for us to respond to an important need in a timely fashion. –Toby Ahrens, Founder, Diggables From Maine Fields to National Shelves: Diggables’ Savory Success Story In the competitive $30 billion savory snack market, one Maine-based company is carving out its niche with a unique…
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Self-Soothing Tools for Children
I’m incredibly thankful to be running a business in Maine. The abundance of resources here makes it easier for entrepreneurs to thrive. –Julie Campilio, Founder, Roots Up MERC Helped This Emotional Wellness Entrepreneur Scale Her Business and Reach New Markets Roots Up, founded by Julie Campilio, has been equipping children with techniques to…
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Bean to bar chocolate in Maine
We largely attribute our outstanding performance for the 2024 audits to the generous grant from MTI and our work with Maine MEP. Kate McAleer, CEO and Founder, Bocby & Co MERC helped this local chocolatier gain a presence in Maine’s first Costco Bixby & Co is Maine’s first “bean to bar” chocolate…
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Mapping snowmobile and ATV paths
SledTrx MERC and MTI have been one of our key supporters in moving this project along. MERC funding has allowed us to reach a market where we can now charge a user subscription – a revenue stream that is critical for the growth of our business. –Jake Warn, Founder of SledTRX Charting the Path Toward…
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Traditionally crafted oars since 1858
Shaw & Tenney Working with MERC ended up being a great team-building exercise that also helped maximize our efficiency. –Neil Gutekunst, Shaw & Tenney A Traditional Oar Maker Expands Production Shaw & Tenney have been making traditionally-crafted oars, paddles, and poles from their storefront in Orono, Maine since 1858. They are the 2nd oldest manufacturer…
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Mix medicinal plants with scientific research
Success is where inspiration, preparation and opportunity meet. –Edie Johnston, Founder & Owner of Eldertide, LLC Optimizing human health by integrating herbal traditions with scientific research. From the moment scientist Edie Johnston had the vision to use native elderberries for medicinal purposes, she knew she had to further explore the idea. Her initial…
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Empowering literacy educators
I cannot imagine what our business would be like now without this support from MERC. Even though these appear to be small projects, they made a huge difference in the sustainability of our company. –Michelle DeBlois, Founder and CEO, ReMo Helping a EdTech Company Invest in Business Development ReMo is a SaaS-based ed-tech company…
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Innovative malting keeps brews local
Maine has a wealth of programs and resources—MTI included—that really make it possible for first time entrepreneurs and small businesses to go from an idea to a fully fledged commercial business. –Joel Alex, Founder, Blue Ox Malthouse Connecting Local Brewers And Farmers For More Sustainable Food Systems Joel Alex founded Blue Ox…
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Smokeless, all-natural campfires
Annually, we’ve increased our revenue significantly and we attribute a part of that success to the help we’ve received through MTI. –Dylan Veilleux, Founder of Juneberry Tabletop Campfires You Can Take Anywhere Dylan Veilleux founded Juneberry (formerly known as Tree Free Fire) with the goal of making it easier for people to safely experience…
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Unlocking our innate regenerative powers
MTI has always been there for help, advice and early-stage funding when no one else was. I could not have launched Revidia without MTI and I continue to maintain close contact with Brian and other MTI leadership. –Dr. Kevin Strange, Founder and Principal Scientist, Revidia Therapeutics Regenerating Injured Tissue and Slowing Down…
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Technology for treatment programs and courts
MTI’s support has enabled us to fulfill our mission of aiding an underserved, vulnerable population. –Pete Andrews, CEO, Reconnect Technology empowers case managers and fights recidivism, incarceration, and substance use disorder The courts work hard to help people, but often grapple with cumbersome bureaucratic procedures and resource limitations. Reconnect was built to…
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Enabling information access for everyone
“The majority of accessibility challenges faced by blind folks are due to information loss, not vision loss” says Giudice, who is himself congenitally blind, “what we are developing at UNAR will go a long way to solving these challenges.” Changing the lives of visually-impaired people by enabling digital information access Everyone should have…
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Innovating manufacturing in Southern Maine
Our Advanced Manufacturing Center in Sanford didn’t exist prior to the grant award. It now stands as one of the most innovative manufacturing facilities in the State of Maine. –Brian Deveaux, President & CEO Hussey Seating Company Innovating Manufacturing to Scale Production and Create More Maine Jobs Hussey Seating Company designs and…
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Grow food from wood
MTI understands and supports us in the business ecosystem we function within, from spawn distribution to sourcing sawdust to Swedish autoclaves and HEPA filtration for sterile processes. –Michael Kersula, Director of Operations, North Spore LLC Providing Education and Equipment to Grow Sustainable and Nutritious Mushrooms North Spore is on a mission to…
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Peregrine Turbine Technologies, LLC
Making green energy a reality
Maine Technology Institute is the sole entity in the state of Maine whose purpose is to promote and advance the objectives of technology companies like Peregrine. MTI is a much needed and vital organization for the future health of technology companies in the state. –David Stapp, CEO and CTO, Peregrine Turbine…
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web-based team building games
MTI’s investment has helped to expand our product and feature offerings, increase our revenue, enter new markets and grow our team. MTI funding has given us time to better identify our product/market fit as well as try out numerous marketing strategies to more effectively target our market. –Daniel G. Stephens, CEO/founder GoodGames Combatting zoom…
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Revolutionary building material system
MTI has been a critical partner in the early stage growth and development of our building product technology. Having a vote of confidence from MTI has opened doors to a network of like minded entrepreneurs, investors and resources that have played a key role in bringing our technology to market. –Ben Davis,…
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Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Empowering Maine entrepreneurs
Our business support services are very symbiotic with Maine Technology Institute’s mission in that we are both focused on advancing targeted industries in Maine, creating jobs, and scaling businesses. –Thomas Rainey, Executive Director Providing Maine entrepreneurs with tools and resources to accelerate their businesses For over 25 years, the Maine Center…
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Innovative global animal health company
Advancing the world of veterinary medicine Covetrus, a global business that provides products, services, and technology to veterinarians so they can run their practice and deliver care more effectively, has worked with MTI since their startup founding. Through name changes—from FetchDog to Vets First Choice and now Covetrus—and growth phases, the business has used…
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A better book club experience
MTI’s support took Bookclubs from a personal passion project to a high-growth consumer SaaS platform with elevated branding and a sophisticated product development and marketing strategy. –Anna Ford, Co-founder & CEO, Bookclubs Innovative online platform simplifies the book club experience While reading has always been a popular hobby, the discussion of books has grown…
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Helping Maine join the new space economy
MTI’s investment in the market demand study in 2018 was instrumental in increasing awareness inside and outside of Maine that the state was interested in participating in the new space economy, and equally important, in doing so by creating a space complex. –Terry Shehata, Ph.d., Executive Director, Maine Space Grant Consortium…
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Heat pump-driven, energy-saving products
Nyle is just getting started. The company has been doubling every three to four years and is accelerating. –Ton Mathissen, Founder and CEO Nyle Systems Innovative manufacturing company helps customers transition towards a more sustainable energy system Nyle Systems is on a mission to make a meaningful impact and build a more…
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High-end acoustic guitars
MTI has been a key player in helping Dana Bourgeois turn his dream from a single guitar built by hand in his Bowdoin College dorm room, into the internationally celebrated authority in high-end acoustic guitar innovation and construction it is today. –Christopher Fleming | President and C.O.O., Bourgeois Guitars LLC Automated technology…
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Durable police bikes
MTI has been foundational to DuraBike’s success. MTI’s support of MCE’s Top Gun program, their 50/50 grant funding programs and network of resources have all been key to DuraBike’s development. –Brenden Westin, Founder, DuraBike Low-maintenance, high-durability bikes for law enforcement, military and commuters DuraBikes are engineered to be the most reliable, highest performing,…
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Renewable Natural Gas Facility
I am appreciative of the support our project has received from the Maine Technology Institute. MTI has been a critical partner in helping to deliver this innovative solution to our climate challenge, and we’re lucky to have a resource like that here in Maine. –Angus King III, President Peaks Renewables Converting Cow Manure…
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Pasture-raised pork and meat sticks
We are very grateful for the support we have received through MTI, and other organizations in Maine, that have been instrumental to the growth of our farm and brand. Practicing regenerative agriculture and launching a consumer brand John Arbuckle, a 9th-generation farmer originally from Illinois, along with his wife Holly moved to Maine…
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Rechargeable heated cushions
We are so incredibly lucky to have an organization like MTI supporting small business growth in Maine. Our baby company would be nowhere near the scale that it is today without their support and guidance. –Jocelyn Olsen, co-founder, Hüga Heat Rechargeable, heated cushions help you comfortably sit outside even during a cold…
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Made-in-Maine blast-proof military walls
MTI’s support led to the creation of new advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs in Brewer, Maine that never existed in the region. Throughout Compotech’s journey, MTI played a key role in awarding multiple grants to support business development activities related to R&D proposal preparation, equipment purchase, and international sales. –Paul Melrose, co-founder, Compotech Manufacturing…
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All-in-one cybersecurity platform
MTI plays a vital role in the Maine innovation community and economy. Defendify would not be where it is today without MTI’s early and ongoing support, financially and strategically. –Andrew Rinaldi, Co-founder, Defendify Democratizing cybersecurity When you consider email phishing scams, the growing distributed workforce, and the continuous exchange of data between businesses and…
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Converting forestry waste into Biochar
The support from MTI, together with investment and encouragement from the broader Maine community, has been instrumental in bringing this new business to Maine. –Fred Horton, President & CEO, Standard Biocarbon Bringing Biochar—a clean, sustainable industry—to Maine What if you could pick up timber waste and turn it into something that can fertilize…
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Innovating boatbuilding craftsmanship
MTI’s support of the innovation ecosystem has reinforced Maine’s reputation as the home of bold thinking, dedicated craftsmen and craftswomen, and the finest quality products in the world –Joshua Moore, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Innovative boatbuilder pushes the envelope Since 1978, Lyman-Morse has been designing, building and servicing the finest boats such as luxury power…
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Diversified seaweed products
MTI provides a unique range of funding opportunities that have enabled investments in essential infrastructure, research, development, new partnerships, and non-profit educational and training efforts to accelerate the development of seaweed aquaculture in Maine and beyond. –Andrea “Trey” Angera, General Counsel, Springtide Seaweed, LLC Research and technology diversifies this seaweed business The ocean…
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Maine’s first land-based eel aquaculture facility
MTI and I have shared goals. I want to be involved with growing the aquaculture industry as a whole and MTI has a similar drive. –Sara Rademaker, Founder, American Unagi Helping grow elvers and aquaculture right here in Maine For years, local fishermen caught elvers in Maine, then sold them to China where…
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Aquaponic lettuce farming
MTI has been a source of inspiration since Springworks’ creation. We feel so lucky to be a part of its ecosystem of businesses. –Trevor Kenkel, Founder and President Growing lettuce year-round right here in Maine There’s a high probability that the lettuce you eat comes from thousands of miles away. In the United…
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Industrial DataOps Software
MTI has been a critical component to funding our business and commercializing our idea. –Torey Penrod-Cambra, CMO & Co-Founder Sparking the next industrial revolution Industrial companies have always looked for ways to be more productive and efficient. In recent years, automation has been key to reaching this goal. However, manufacturers must deal with numerous…
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Skincare products
Treating skin conditions with Maine-caught lobster Like millions of people across the country and around the world, Amber Boutiette battled with clinical skin issues for most of her life. While there are numerous treatments, there are few quality options — steroid creams can further damage the skin and over-the-counter medications are often ineffective….
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Biofuel rockets
I’m not aware of other organizations in other states that are so open to innovation as MTI. –Sascha Deri, CEO, bluShift Aerospace Making Maine a space travel destination Sascha Deri was trying to get his aerospace company off the ground — literally and figuratively — but was having issues. At the time, he…
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Gourmet meals for the great outdoors
The grant is instrumental to our continued growth and success. –Jennifer Scism, Co-Founder & Chef, Good To-Go Gourmet meals for the great outdoors A few years ago, Good To-Go applied for funds from MTI’s $45 million MTAF2.0. At the time, the Kittery-based company was experiencing a bottleneck in their production of gourmet dehydrated…
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Skincare made with fresh ingredients
People are super encouraging of entrepreneurs in Maine… so many people who are happy to sit down and have coffee and help you and support you. I think that is a unique environment. Nisha Dearborn, Founder & CEO, Fresh Chemistry Breaking out of the beauty industry’s stale approach For years, Nisha Dearborn worked…
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Data management for educators
MTI was instrumental in helping us build a strong foundation for our startup. [They helped] guide us through the difficult decisions we had to make as a startup. –Michelle DeBlois, Co-Founder & CEO, LiteracyTech From teachers to Top Gun winners Michelle DeBlois and Kathryn Lariviere are educators, but oftentimes, they feel more like data…
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Improving rapid testing for rare diseases
I have been able to purchase more supplies and reagents with the support of MTI. At this point, I am ready to begin preparing my products for validation and possible sales in the near future. –Christine Soto, Founder, Monoclonals Inc. Finding a welcoming home for innovation Part of MTI’s goal to create and retain…
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Building small, local grain economies
In receiving MTI‘s generous support for our project, our organization has been able to address one of the most important enhancements needed for growth in our regional grain economy. –Tristan Noyes, Executive Director The new movement in a millennia old industry You may not think there is much room for innovation in…
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Pioneering the treatment for brain injuries
MTI has been instrumental to our growth and development as a company across every stage. It is an important reason for why we moved MedRhythms HQ from Boston to Maine. –Owen McCarthy, President Harnessing the healing power of music Each year, over 2.5 million people in the United States suffer a stroke or traumatic…
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Innovating to help during COVID
MTI pushed us to become a better company, better leaders, and better community members. –James Morin, Co-owner & COO, Flowfold Using innovation & ingenuity to help during the COVID-19 pandemic When you start an outdoor apparel company in Maine, you can’t help but invite comparisons with the state’s famous outdoor brand — L.L. Bean….
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Helping get pharmaceutical drugs to market faster
This innovation can literally save lives. Some people can’t wait an extra year or two for a treatment to be approved. They can’t afford to be on a clinical trial that fails. That’s what motivates us — and we wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the SBIR program and MTI….
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Improving our information infrastructure
Driving innovation by building networks on which ideas move Infrastructure has always been critical to economic prosperity and the exchange of goods, services and ideas. Ships need ports, trains require rails and trucks must have roads. Our innovation economy is no different. For it to thrive, it needs the right infrastructure to support it….
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Technology to help small farms compete
We wouldn’t have our business without that technology. You can’t manually control conditions to a great enough degree of accuracy to produce the kind of yield you need to be commercially viable. –John Sharood, Owner, Mousam Valley Mushrooms Combining mycology and technology to improve agricultural growth in Maine By breaking down organic…
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Reducing the risk of athletic injury
Having watched the company emerge as the winner of Greenlight Maine’s first collegiate series and engage in various business accelerators to help scale the company, it’s clear that KinoTek’s impressive multidisciplinary team is well-positioned to make an impact in the market. –Brian Whitney, MTI President Racking up as many wins as the athletes they…
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One of MTI's first clients continues to innovate
Maine Technology Institute allowed us to develop new product lines and fund our research and development. –Bill Keleher, Co-Founder How an original awardee found lasting success Back in 2000, then-Governor Angus King helped hand out the very first MTI awards to 37 innovative Maine businesses. One of those recipients was Kennebec River…
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Bringing Maine's entrepreneurial community together
MTI has been a longtime financial supporter and champion of Startup Maine. Without their dedication and commitment, we would not be able to achieve our goals, attain top notch speakers, or reach the audiences who benefit from our programming. –Katie Shorey, President It takes a village to raise a startup Community support is…
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Utilizing Maine lobster in new, innovative ways
The new facility that we are building in Saco would never have happened as quickly as it has had it not been for MTI funding. These awards gave us the confidence we needed to grow our business right here in Maine. –Curt Brown, Marine Biologist, Ready Seafood Helping the lobster industry live up…
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Helping people access educational opportunities
MTI has been instrumental in helping us grow the company—the connections, the encouragement and the mentoring has been a huge benefit. I tell a lot of people about MTI. –Brian Rahill, CEO Bringing Classes to the Masses Learning isn’t limited to just schools — art programs, workforce training, community centers and kids camps all…
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Developing clean energy solutions
The Maine Technology Institute has been incredibly helpful to Pika, and in fact were a big part of why we felt comfortable building the company here in Maine. –Ben Polito, President and Co-Founder From energy startup to industry innovator For generations, Mainers have made a living from the rich abundance of natural resources…
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Creating quality jobs in rural Maine
A grant from MTI helped us improve our product and scale our business. Our business growth means job security and higher wages for employees in rural, Western Maine. –Beth Weisberger, Owner Spicing Up Jar Design in Western Maine Gneiss Spice, founded in 2009, produces magnetic spice jars in Albany Township and sells primarily…
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Innovation for Maine's shipbuilding industry
Our core employees are craftspeople who view Front Street Shipyard as an opportunity to demonstrate and enhance their skills while providing a quality product that is revered globally. High Tech Boatbuilding in Maine Boat building is a “classic” Maine business—the opportunities afforded by our coastline and lumber industry have kept Maine boat…
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Leading Maine's textile revival
We need to develop the most efficient and effective American-based manufacturing operation we can in order to be the most competitive we can. –Dan St. Pierre, Co-Founder & CFO Outdoor gear that stands up to the conditions and overseas competitors There may be no better word to describe Maine than “rugged.” It’s…
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Proving manufacturing can thrive in Maine
MTI helped us with both funding and connections. MTI is really putting a stake in the ground around innovation. –Bruce Bickford, Co-Founder & COO Innovative building materials manufacturer in Brunswick STARC Systems is a fast-growing, innovative building materials manufacturer in Brunswick. MTI has been part of the STARC Systems story from the beginning….
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Leveraging federal funding to fast track R&D
Know your market as well as you know your technology. One of the common reasons companies fall short is they are focused too much on the technology and not nearly enough on the market. –Robin Goodwin, CEO Web Tension Control Leads Beyond Maine The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business…
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Commercializing healthy seaweed-based products
The best advice for anyone thinking of applying for an SBIR/STTR grant is to make sure you’re focused, have a different idea, and not a cookie cutter project. –Kelly Roth, Owner Expanding Uses of Seaweed The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide competitive awards-based resources…
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Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Discovering new uses for marine microorganisms
Since its opening in late 2012, the Ocean Science Campus has generated tens of millions in financial and economic impact activity in the State of Maine. 85% of those funds are spent in Maine, primarily in rural Lincoln County. Research Equipment Attracts Dollars and Talent Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences…
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