(From Mainebiz) ReachMyTeach, an app that connects teachers with students and families, recently won the Top Gun business-pitch competition. The Top Gun Showcase is the culmination of a 15-week program for competitively selected entrepreneurs from across the state. The $25,000 prize was sponsored by MTI. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Dirigo Labs was recently recognized as a stage-one winner of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. The Waterville-based startup accelerator was one of 40 awardees out of a pool of 355 applicants and will receive a $50,000 cash prize to create a media lab for small business innovation research and small business technology transfer. MTI is a supporter of Dirigo Labs. Read more »
(From Minor League Baseball) MTI portfolio company, Pumpspotting, has partnered with the Portland Sea Dogs to provide a welcoming and comfortable ballpark experience for all baby-feeding parents and their families. Pumpspotting offers a virtual breastfeeding and baby-feeding platform to give parents access to an inclusive community, lactation consultants, wayfinding, and encouragement. Sea Dogs fans can download the app for free using a custom access code that will be posted around the ballpark. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Bixby Chocolate took home four sofi awards from the Specialty National Food Association. The awards put Bixby in the running for the 2023 sofi Gold Product of the Year Award, which will be announced in June. The Rockland-based company received support from MTI for early-stage research and development. Read more »
(From centralmaine.com) Recently, the Dirigo Labs Accelerator Program awarded a $25K prize and a membership to Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space to the Rockland-based business, Crofts. The 12-week program guides startups through a targeted curriculum to execute their project plans. SledTRX was presented with the audience choice award. MTI is a supporter of the pitch competition. Read more »
(From The Times Record) MTI portfolio company, bluShift Aerospace, recently exceeded expectations by reaching 21,500 pounds of thrust when it fired its MAREVL engine for 10 seconds. The Brunswick-based company is the first in the world to launch a commercial rocket powered by biofuel. The next major test is a 60-second burn of the MAREVL engine, which would be enough to power the company's Starless Rogue rocket to space. Read more »
(From EIN Presswire) Peregrine Turbine Technologies and Our Katahdin have announced a Memorandum of Understanding outlining their plan to pilot a Peregrine biomass combined heat and power (CHP) generation system. The sCO2-enabled system will provide renewable electric power and district heating to Our Katahdin's One North Industrial campus. The CHP system will demonstrate the Peregrine sCO2 system's commercial capabilities. MTI is an ongoing supporter of the Wiscasset-based company. Read more »
(From Offshore Energy) Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) recently signed a contract with Shell Technology – Marine Renewable Program to initiate a modular RivGen power system demonstration project in the Lower Mississippi River. The product is being developed in Millinocket and can potentially provide power to EV chargers and support alternative fuels production. MTI has been a consistent funder and supporter of ORPC since its inception. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Ocean’s Balance is importing a kelp dryer that could process 30,000 pounds of seaweed in a single day. The Biddeford-based company makes edible seaweed products, and the ability to increase the drying capacity could position Maine's seaweed industry to become a major economic driver. MTI provided Ocean's Balance with early-stage support. Read more »
(From Mainebiz) Sea Bags designs and makes totes and accessories crafted from recycled sails. This spring, the company is adding shops to its multi-state retail footprint, bringing the grand total to 50 Sea Bags stores with a presence in 15 states. MTI has provided the Portland-based company with ongoing support. Read more »