Maine Technology Institute Awards $15,000 in Three Grants to Maine Companies

Awards support innovative technology projects in three targeted technology sectors and two counties

(BRUNSWICK, MAINE) – The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) approved 3 new grant applications in August 2015, totaling $15,000 in awards to entrepreneurs from across Maine to advance new product and process development in biotechnology and advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture.  This round of MTI awards leveraged $18,910 of matching contributions from the award recipients.

Awards from this round include:

• Two (2) TechStart grants totaling $10,000
• One (1) Phase 0 Kickstarter grant of $5,000

“The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is pleased to make these early investments to establish the basic business groundwork that will allow these entities to move their innovative projects along the path to commercialization,” said Brian Whitney, MTI’s President.

Summary of awards:

TechStart Grants – Two organizations received TechStart Grants totaling $10,000

Stirling Development Maine, LLC                                                           Award Amount:  $5,000

Yarmouth                                                                                                      Match Amount:  $5,320

University of Maine                                                                                   Award Amount:  $5,000

Orono                                                                                                            Match Amount:  $8,590

TechStart Grants are available to entrepreneurs and companies across Maine who are seeking to develop their inventive ideas into new, innovative products or services.  Grants are awarded monthly and may be used to support specific activities such as business plan development, intellectual property filings, market analysis, or technology transfer activities out of research institutions.  The next application deadline for MTI’s TechStart Grant program is October 6^th, 2015.  Applications are due by 5 PM. 

Phase 0 Kickstarter Grants – One company awarded $5,000

Healthier Wines, LLC                                                                                  Award Amount:  $5,000

Portland                                                                                                         Match Amount:  $5,000

The Phase 0 KickStarter is a funding opportunity offered to individuals and companies seeking to submit SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposals to one of the 11 federal agencies participating in the program.

Awards of up to $5,000 are offered to foster and support competitive federal proposal submissions from Maine applicants. Funds can be used for external direct costs associated with preparing an SBIR/STTR proposal, such as hiring grant writers, subject matter experts, other consultants or purchasing market research reports needed to inform your proposal.   Phase 0 KickStarter applications are accepted on a rolling basis and at least 30 days in advance of solicitation due date.

For more information on MTI funding programs, please visitwww.mainetechnology.org.

MTI is a publicly financed, private, nonprofit organization created by the Legislature in 1999 to stimulate research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products, processes and services in the state’s seven targeted technology sectors. MTI programs are either loans, equity investments, or grants designed to enhance the competitive position of those sectors and increase the likelihood that one or more of these sectors will support clusters of industrial activity and create quality jobs across Maine.