On Earth Day 2021, I was honored to join Governor Janet Mills at ReVision Energy in Montville to commemorate the 51st annual Earth Day celebration – – a global phenomenon where over a billion people worldwide are mobilized to highlight environmental issues and action – – and to launch the Maine Clean Energy Innovation Challenge.
MTI is collaborating with the Governor’s Energy Office, the Office of Innovation Policy & the Future, and E2Tech to launch the challenge to seek innovative clean energy solutions with growth potential that will help meet the clean energy goals of the state.
MTI’s Board has designated a half million dollars in grant funding to support at least two innovative applicants developing advanced clean energy technologies or services. Eligible companies will be startups or small businesses engaged in clean energy innovation in Maine, or those currently located elsewhere looking to develop in Maine. MTI will begin accepting applications for the program in Mid-May.
In addition to this effort, MTI is also collaborating on a complementary initiative with the Governor’s Energy Office and E2Tech to encourage clean-energy entrepreneurs to participate in the world’s largest and oldest cleantech startup accelerator by providing scholarships for high potential Maine cleantech startups to participate in the Cleantech Open. The Cleantech Open seeks to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs in cleantech. Click here for information about how you can get involved with Cleantech Open.
Accelerator programs like the Cleantech Open play a vital role in hastening the growth of promising Maine clean energy ventures.
Please stay tuned for additional updates about the Maine Clean Energy Innovation Challenge on MTI’s website. Again, we hope to begin inviting applications for funding in Mid-May.
Finally, while I hesitate to mention it for fear I may jinx us, winter finally seems to be firmly in the rearview mirror and daffodils, rhododendrons, and lilacs are beginning to bloom. It’s spring in Maine and it’s a wonderful time to embrace our state’s idyllic and inviting environment. Get out there before the black flies do and take a deep breath, explore, and enjoy all that Maine has to offer. May arrives this weekend!
Best,
Brian