In its November Seed Grant Awards, the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Board of Directors awarded $139,031 in 12 new Seed Grants to innovative entrepreneurs across Maine to advance their innovative technologies. These MTI awards leveraged over $244,000 from other sources.
Entrepreneurs in this latest round represent technologies in the areas of advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, biotechnology, environmental technology, information technology and precision manufacturing in communities from Lisbon Falls to Portland to South Bristol to Orono. A complete list of November’s awardees follows.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well across Maine,” remarked Betsy Biemann, MTI President in announcing the awards. “From green insulation and smart energy-saving software to specialty foods to cutting edge manufacturing, entrepreneurs in Maine are making their mark developing technologies for today’s and tomorrow’s needs.”
Seed Grants of up to $12,500 are offered six times a year to support early-stage research and development activities for new products and services that lead to the market. A company may be awarded a total of up to $25,000 in multiple Seed Grants for a specific technology. All projects must fall under one of Maine’s seven targeted technology sectors including advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, biotechnology, composite materials technology, environmental technology, information technology and precision manufacturing technology.
The next deadline for application is December 9, 2010. Entrepreneurs with ideas of innovative technologies are encouraged to apply. A free webinar for information on how to apply for Seed Grant funding will be held on Tuesday, November 23 from 1-2pm. Reservations are required. For more information, go to www.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 technology-intensive sectors. Programs are designed to enhance the competitive position of those sectors and increase the likelihood that one or more of the sectors will support clusters of industrial activity and create quality jobs across Maine. More about MTI at: www.mainetechnology.org.
MTI Seed Grant Awards November 2010
Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture
Grow-Tech LLC in Lisbon Falls for a Semi-Automated Packaging Station
Grow-Tech will design, test, manufacture and install a first-of-its-kind Semi-Automated Packaging Station to be used to count and bag our FlexiPlugs – a hydrophilic media used by growers around the world – for lawn and garden wholesale market. Award: $12,500 Match: $20,050
Green Comfort Safe Inc. in South Bristol for a GCS IP Application
Green Comfort Safe Inc. will produce an innovative, cost competitive, ecologically beneficial cellulosic insulation product based on a new, patented production process. The new product, Green Comfort Safe™, is based on Celluborate™ fiber which is a safer, cleaner insulation with superior thermal insulating and health properties. Award: $10,600 Match: $10,600
Biotechnology
Wassail LLC in Portland for CFP Technology Development
Maine Mead Works has developed a continuous fermentation technology that enables the efficient production of mead and other alcoholic beverages. The MTI funded project enables the company to expand its R&D capabilities with key equipment and training in specific analytical techniques Award: $12,200 Match: $20,190
Environmental Technology
Bodark Engineering LLC in Gorham for a Smart Microgrid Prototype Development
Bodark Engineering is developing Smart Microgrid technology to make it easier for individuals and businesses to produce their own clean renewable energy. Seed Grant funding will support development of a prototype inverter and other microgrid system components. Award: $12,500 Match: $48,000
Precision Manufacturing
Pantheon Guitars LLC in Lewiston for High Efficiency Pilot Tooling for Guitar Bodies
Pantheon Guitar manufactures some of the most legendary acoustic guitars in the world. We propose to design and build the next generation of high efficiency pilot tooling for one of our many models in an effort to lead into product line wide improvements in production efficiency and corporate growth. Award: $12,500 Match: $15,688
Advance Electronic Concepts in Portland for a Refrigeration Alarm Panel
Our proposed product is a Cold Room Door Alarm, using proprietary software, for the purpose of alerting supermarket personnel of an open door to a cold room storage area. This project will be to develop, prototype, and test hardware and software. Award: $12,000 Match: $15,575
Zum Sport LLC in Yarmouth for a Zum Process Improvement Project
The Zum Process Improvement Project will focus on opportunities to improve manufacturing and packaging that will facilitate further commercialization of the Zumbitz product line. Process improvements will enable the company to increase output and reduce production costs. These improvements will allow Zum to expand production, distribution and grow the company. Award: $12,300 Match: $23,500
Jotul North America in Gorham for the Development of New Jotul Steel Front Load Woodstove
Jotul North America will create an innovative, more cost effective, front loading non-catalytic steel woodstove based on patented technologies to meet market demand of the western and Canadian consumer. The outcome will be a new clean burning, energy efficient stove that meets EPA Clean Air Act and UL safety standards. Award: $12,500 Match: $13,180
Information Technology
Allen Johnson in Newport for Legal Work for New Mobile Music Service
The proposed mobile streaming service solves two longstanding problems in the music industry: distribution and music discovery. This information technology proposal pays for legal services to protect intellectual property. Award: $12,500 Match: $12,500
Allen Johnson in Newport for Strategic Planning for New Mobile Music Service
The proposed mobile streaming service solves two longstanding problems in the music industry: distribution and music discovery. This information technology proposal pays for expert business consultants to assist with business plan refinement and investor presentations. Award: $11,250 Match: $13,000
VetEnvoy Inc. in Portland for Animal Identification Registration Automation
VetEnvoy has conducted research and market feasibility studies for developing technology to automate the veterinary clinic registration of animal identification microchip numbers to ensure greater success in the pet owner reunification process. The company has developed other electronic medical records transfer protocols on their communications platform; this project will focus on animal identification registration automation development and clinical trials. Award: $12,281 Match: $39,321
RainStorm Inc. in Orono for CourseStorm Market Research and Prototype Design
RainStorm Consulting is developing a new web service to provide small to medium-sized adult education programs throughout the country with affordable, convenient online course registration. The scope of the work is a market research study and prototype development. Award: $12,500 Match: $16,944
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