The Maine Technology Institute Board of Directors recently awarded $411,268 in new seed grants to startups around Maine. MTI seed grants, offered three times a year with a maximum grant amount of $25,000, support early-stage research and development activities for entrepreneurs to bring new products to market, according to a press release. Applications for the […]
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The Maine Technology Institute Board of Directors recently awarded $411,268 in new seed grants to startups around Maine. MTI seed grants, offered three times a year with a maximum grant amount of $25,000, support early-stage research and development activities for entrepreneurs to bring new products to market, according to a press release. Applications for the next round close April 12.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE
Stirling Consulting Inc., Yarmouth
Award: $8,995
Match: $9,195
The company intends to establish baseline standards for the use of nanofibrillated cellulose, which offers a strong potential for Maine-based paper manufacturing capacity to effectively participate in a growing value-added paper market.
Pelletco LLC, Orono
Award: $25,000
Match: $39,000
Pelletco has developed and is commercializing a high-energy composite fuel pellet that is moisture resistant and provides 11,000 BTU per pound versus dry wood at 8,000 BTU per pound. Pelletco intends test heat generation and emissions characteristics of the pellets versus other fuels.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Butterfield Technologies LLC, Portland
Award: $25,000.
Match: $46,524
Butterfield Technologies plans to commercialize and market its patented medical device, the Pleurabrade, used by cardiothoracic surgeons who perform pleurodesis procedures on the lungs. The company plans to develop a prototype of the device and perform live porcine lab testing, complete certain Federal Drug Administration submissions and develop marketing elements and a website.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
Sani Seat, Portland
Award: $8,000
Match: $8,000
The company will build, test and improve a working prototype of a pedal system that attaches to any toilet to lift and lower the seat without the use of one's hands. The goal of this project is to improve the cleanliness of public and private male restrooms.
WOOLY ROUNDS, Camden
Award: $4,687
Match: $4,700
WOOLY ROUNDS manufactures and distributes felted wool balls that have the ability to conserve energy by reducing drying time in a clothes dryer. The money will be used to mechanize production of the felted wool balls.
Beltane Solar Inc., Topsham
Award: $25,000
Match: $39,250
Beltane Solar is commercializing technology to concentrate the sun's energy to create power and hot water. The grant will be used to complete a solar module prototype.
James W. Sewall Co., Old Town
Award: $24,958
Match: $26,870
This project intends to develop a cost-effective method for mapping the potential for solar P-V electrical generation on rooftops using light detection and ranging as compared to aerial photography databases. Revision Energy will provide Sewall information and guidance to develop maps showing solar potential for cities for long-range planning, development of micro-grids or neighborhood-scale electric cooperatives.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
J. Weston Walch, dba Walch Publishing, Portland
Award: $25,000
Match: $64,435
Walch Publishing is developing a cloud-based platform to expedite the process of authoring, managing, publishing and monetizing customized educational materials. The company plans to meet growing demand in public education for accessible resources that meet specific requirements.
Maine Marine Composites LLC, Portland
Award: $24,730
Match: $41,400
Maine Marine Composites is developing a sensor system to collect multi-point pressure data on large surfaces immersed in fluids. The company will design, build and field test a prototype of a large-area pressure array system. The system has applications in research and process control.
Refill Management Systems LLC, Yarmouth
Award: $25,000
Match: $31,600
The company intends to use this grant for market and regulatory analysis to commercialize its software to improve efficiency of medication renewals.
Cambium Enterprises, Yarmouth
Award: $25,000
Match: $38,032
Possibility U is a college admissions software and services provider to support students with decisions related to discovering, choosing and getting into a college where they will succeed academically, socially and financially.
Chimani, LLC, Yarmouth
Award: $25,000
Match: $25,000
Chimani LLC proposes to develop a social platform that encourages individuals to increase outdoor recreation and connect with related nonprofit organizations and businesses. The grant will provide resources to prototype a design and product.
Howell MSI, Westbrook
Award: $12,500
Match: $84,270
Howell MSI is in its third phase of using proprietary photographic technology to create digital archives of cultural artifacts for scientific study, reproduction and proof of authenticity. It plans to complete the design of a device to photograph multispectral images of reflective media, including transparent negatives, slides and paintings.
PRECISION MANUFACTURING
Karkos Group LLC, Lewiston
Award: $25,000
Match: $32,720
Karkos Group LLC is developing a new technology for kitchen appliances. The MTI funding will be used to advance the product design and develop a prototype
Greenwood Tech Strategies LLC, Rockport
Award: $25,000
Match: $25,000
Greenwood Tech Strategies proposes to design and develop wireless sensors to detect strain and stress in military aircraft components.