Funding Opportunities from MTI Workshop to be Held

Aroostook companies interested in growing and commercializing their technologies are invited to attend an upcoming workshop to learn more about the funding and resources available to them to bring technologies to market.

Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is holding the session, held in partnership with the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and Maine PTAC, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at NMDC in Caribou.

The workshop will include information on funding and resources through:

• MTI’s Tech Start grants of up to $5,000 that can be used to conduct market research, develop a business plan and file for patent protections;
• Seed grants of up to $25,000 that can be used to develop a prototype, demonstrate proof of concept and conduct field trials;
• And a new initiative announced last month, MTI is responsible for soliciting proposals from Maine organizations looking to make investments in R&D equipment, infrastructure and technology upgrades to drive innovation in Maine.

Martha Bentley, Director of Innovation Infrastructure for MTI, will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Bentley has worked with MTI in a variety of capacities since 2002 including managing the Cluster Initiative Program and the Maine Technology Asset Fund Program, as well as Maine Accelerates Growth. She joined MTI in 2016 as Director of Innovation Infrastructure, coordinating MTI’s funding programs and partnerships that support the innovation and entrepreneurial environment in Maine.

While in Aroostook County, Bentley is also looking for companies that want to meet individually to discuss potential projects.

For more information and to register to the workshop, contact Dana Delano at NMDC at 521-1713, or by email at ddelano@nmdc.org. Reservations are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome, space permitting.