| Upcoming Events |
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"Win-Win Negotiations"
MTI workshop Thurs. 6/26 USM Abromson Center
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| Contact Us |
Maine Center for Enterprise Development
c/o Univ. of S. Maine
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300
P: 207. 228 . 8524
F: 207. 228 . 8526Street
address:
70 Falmouth St
Portland, ME 04103
(Bio-Science Building, research wing, 2nd floor)
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| On Site Clients |
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| The Maine Center for Enterprise Development is a business incubator that assists on-site and off-site firms that sell many different products and services. |
Each applicant must meet the following requirements
for consideration.
- Complete and Submit the Application
Download Application Form
Additional copies may be obtained from the Center. Electronic submissions are acceptable, but may require additional documentation in printed form.
- Submit Business Plan for Review
All businesses must submit a complete business plan. Those who do not have a complete plan may be provided with assistance in completing their business plan, through referral to the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) or the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), or with Center resources.
- Liability Insurance
All firms must agree to carry liability insurance.
- Compliance with Existing Laws and Regulations
All tenants must comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements throughout their tenure.
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Prospective tenants will be evaluated on the basis of criteria and measures appropriate to the nature of their business to determine their suitability for the Center. Evaluation elements include:
- Scientific and Technical Merit
Does the proposed product use proprietary technology with strong application of new developments.
Has the technology reached the developmental stage?
Does the product or service show promising feasibility in the views of the environmental, technical and regulatory communities?
- Market Insight and Product Viability
Does the product or service have national or worldwide potential coupled with significant and positive environmental impact?
Are the buying behaviors of customers and their decision-making process competently examined and exploited.
Are relative strengths of product clearly demonstrated?
Is the plan to commercialize product systematic.
Is the plan to reach markets well thought out and achievable?
- Commitment to Value—Added Products or Services
Is the pricing strategy logically consistent with the need to minimize start - up costs (magnitude of available start - up capital).
Does labor component go beyond assembly work and include design and quality components.
Is there potential for product diversification.
- Demonstrated Entrepreneurial Strength
The background of the owner/developer includes high-energy implementation activities.
The owner realistically pictures firm's potential
The owner convincingly acknowledges managerial and business challenges.
- Job Creation and Company Growth Potential
The sales volume forecast suggests substantive job creation and growth in five years.
Job characteristics develop long-range employment capability and advancement
Regional suppliers exist or can be developed Strong potential for market expansion and growth in company value
- Willingness to Participate in the Center's Interactive Culture
Willingness to take part in regular communication among tenants, Center management, and other parties.
Team orientation.
Agreement to payback arrangement through royalty system.
- Financial Strength and Potential
Ability to fulfill financial obligations for lease and royalty payments.Ability or eligibility to finance working capital needs during start up.
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A selection committee will include 2 members for the board of directors, the Center director and 2 outside technical reviewers representing appropriate discipline areas. |
Tenant selection will take place in discrete steps:
- Submission of Application Business Plan
- Interview with Center Director— Screening of Business Plan
- Selection Panel Review— Applicant Presentation(s)
and Interview(s)
- Reference Checked
- Selection Panel Recommendation
- President's Recommendation and
Presentation
to Board of Directors
- Board of Directors Approval
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| Status Reviews for Tenant Companies
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- Status Reviews
By providing performance reviews, the center will maintain its high standards of product development, production, and performance. This process allows the Center's management to determine if firms are succeeding and should continue to be supported by the Center and identify areas where additional expertise or assistance is needed. This oversight early identification or problems saves cost and allows timely offering of corrective support services.
- Interaction and Communication
Regularly scheduled meetings with tenants enhance awareness of market opportunities, create and environment for new ideas, and foster a spirit of cooperation and partnership that will produce business relationships that would otherwise require lengthy development period.
- Graduation and Placement
Tenant firms will identify milestones that will lead to graduation from the Center, and placement into other facilities that suit the firm's growth. The period of tenancy will vary for individual tenants, but is expected to be no longer than three years. Services and support from the Center may continue during the transition period, and following graduation, on a fee for service basis. After a firm has graduated from the Center, it will be encouraged to serve as a mentor to MCED's younger tenant firms, helping them to overcome similar barriers that the graduate firm has encountered.
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| MCED Vision |
To be a center of excellence for launching successful start-up companies, nurturing entrepreneurship and implementing innovation as an economic development tool for Maine.
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