New pitch competition aims to help Maine's marine and coastal businesses
Courtesy / Maine Sea Grant
Maine Sea Grant has launched Buoy Maine, a new virtual pitch competition to fund innovative projects and ideas to help coastal businesses better address the challenges of operating during the pandemic.
The competition consists of two phases: a short, written proposal and a five-minute verbal pitch. The contest concludes with a virtual public celebration.
"We continue to be inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness Maine's coastal businesses have already shown as declines in tourism, shifting markets and other challenges continue to impact the way they operate,” said Gayle Zydlewski, director of Maine Sea Grant.
“These funds are meant to celebrate that tradition of ingenuity and provide the resources to help transformative ideas become reality.”
Businesses and nonprofits are invited to submit proposals for up to $15,000 to implement new ideas or support existing projects. Applicants that advance to the next phase of the competition will pitch to a panel of judges in October. Pitches that receive funding will be made public after the pitch event.
Maine Sea Grant encourages collaborations from the diverse sectors connected to Maine’s marine and coastal communities, including seafood, tourism, new products or markets, technology and more. The competition is designed to support ideas and innovations with broad impact and benefits.
Applications are due Sept. 14. Any business or nonprofit connected to the Maine coast or the heritage of its fishing communities is eligible to apply.
Funding for the awards comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of a 2020 COVID Rapid Response effort, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center and Maine Community Foundation.
For more information, click here.
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