Summer in Full Swing: Innovation Funding Deadlines, Life Science Growth & Community Highlights

The summer solstice is upon us, and though the weather this spring (and particularly the weekends) has been a little dismal, summer in Maine with all its offerings is, at long last, here. 

Applications for our Innovation Ecosystem Development grants are due July 1.  As I shared in last month’s enews, this program is intended to support partner organizations which seek to bolster Maine’s innovation economy.  Applicants can request up to $500k for their projects which will require matching funds. In order to provide applicants with as much information as possible, we hosted two webinars for an overview and a Q&A session. If you missed those webinars, they have been recorded and are available here.  Proposed programs should provide a catalyst for enhancing Maine’s innovation economy and supporting Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) as they scale and grow in Maine and beyond. The ideal applicant has a demonstrated track record of impact, backed by metrics. Additional consideration is given to applicants that strategically partner with other organizations to expand their strength and reach within sectors and across Maine. We encourage collaborative efforts amongst organizations on their proposed projects/programs. 

Also closing on July 1 is the Maine Life Science Wet-Lab Project.  The Maine Life Science Wet Lab project administered by MTI will provide funding of up to $2.7M to an experienced wet lab operator to create such a facility in the Portland region. Maine’s life sciences sector is growing, fueled by more than 500 organizations spanning biotechnology, diagnostics and medical devices, marine and aquaculture science, healthcare innovation, and fields like AI, data science, and bioinformatics. Strong institutional feeders and a steady rise in early-stage ventures are encouraging signs of momentum and this wet lab will attract businesses from across the region and help the burgeoning industry thrive in Maine.  Along with MTI’s Matt Hoffner,  earlier this week I was fortunate to attend the International BIO Conference in Boston with the purpose of promoting and discussing this exciting project.  The concept was well received by established businesses and entrepreneurs alike.

Central Maine Growth Council’s Dirigo Labs serves as Maine’s SBA FAST-designated organization. Its mission is to increase awareness of the SBIR/STTR programs and help researchers and founders assess technology fit, readiness, and commercialization potential. They work closely with MTI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to provide this support across the state.

In partnership with MTI and the APEX Accelerator, the Central Maine Growth Council is hosting a half-day Federal Funding Summit to help startups and small businesses explore and navigate SBIR/STTR funding opportunities on July 9 from 8:30-12:30 at Brunswick Landing.  It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the fabulous resources available and how to apply for them. Additional information and registrations can be accessed aqui. 

I would like to thank all of you who came out for our networking event as part of Startup Maine week, and we would like to extend both our gratitude and congratulations to the Startup Maine Week team for their extraordinary multi-day, multi venue event (40 separate events from coffee meetups, panels and sessions, company showcases, networking happy hours and evening events).  According to Startup Maine President Katie Shorey, MTI’s sponsorship and partnership enabled them to make it the biggest (and best) conference yet. She said the notes, emails, LinkedIn posts, etc., are pouring in, and they are all positive.  Building off the success of our own networking event, we anticipate hosting another in-person event outside the Portland region sometime in the fall. So, please stay tuned on that front (but don’t wish these precious summer months away!). 

Finally, you will see a new section added to our enews offering to promote MTI portfolio company and partner events and news via our social media platforms.  We’re excited to formally offer this opportunity. While we have done this informally for years, this is a more streamlined process to highlight your successes and events and we look forward to helping you share your news.

Until next time, enjoy these long light-filled days.

Brian