Entrepreneurs in central Maine are eligible for federal grants and other support
Photo / Courtesy Central Maine Growth Council
Entrepreneurs participated in a pitch competition at Dirigo Labs, a business accelerator that’s part of the Central Maine Growth Council in Waterville.
Entrepreneurs in central Maine’s underserved communities — such as women, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and rural small businesses — will be able to take advantage of new federal funding and support programs through the Central Maine Growth Council in Waterville.
The U.S. Small Business Administration designated the council as Maine’s official center for the federal agency’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Resource programs.
As such, the council will be able to administer grant funding awarded by the SBA’s Federal and State Technology, or FAST, partnership program.
The council was one of 49 organizations nationwide awarded a total of $9 million in grant funding. As a FAST recipient, the council will provide person-to-person support and training that could increase the probability of success for entrepreneurs and small businesses pursuing SBIR/STTR contracts and grants.
Funding from the FAST partnership program aims to help organizations like the Central Maine Growth Council to implement state and regional initiatives that increase Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Resource participation.
The goal of the grant funding is to catalyze small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs to engage in research and development activities, offering an accessible pathway to funding for technological innovation and commercialization, according to a news release.
“This award is a critical step toward strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial landscape,” said Garvan Donegan, the council’s director of planning, innovation and economic development and principal investigator for the SBA FAST program.
“It will drive innovation and provide essential support for startups and small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved communities. While advancing the region's transformation into an innovation hub, this initiative plays a pivotal role in fueling economic growth, securing vital R&D funding, and accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies across the state.”
The council and its startup accelerator Dirigo Labs said they would leverage the FAST award to expand and develop its downtown Waterville-based Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Resource Center.
The center will offer coaching, grant application technical assistance, and commercialization support to companies pursuing SBIR/STTR funding for their innovative technology.
Small Business Innovation Research-eligible businesses could also receive proposal support and development through a partnership with the Maine Technology Institute’s technical assistance partnership team.
As part of the initiative, the council will engage an entrepreneur-in-residence through a competitive request for qualifications process. The entrepreneur-in-residence will be tasked with guiding startups and small businesses through the SBIR/STTR proposal process, aiming to increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards secured in Maine.
“The addition of an entrepreneur-in-residence at Dirigo Labs underscores our commitment to strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Emalee Hall, Dirigo Labs’ assistant director of innovation programming and partnerships. “This role will provide high-touch support to startups pursuing SBIR/STTR funding, enhancing their potential for success and fostering innovation across the state.”
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