Our Partners

A network of organizations working together to achieve more.

The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is an industry-led, publicly-funded, nonprofit corporation that offers early-stage capital and commercialization assistance in the form of competitive grants, loans and equity investment for the research, development and application of technologies that create new products, processes and services, generating high-quality jobs across Maine.

MTI partners with MCE and other organizations across the state to ensure that Maine innovators and small businesses get access to a complementary system of supports that will enable them to successfully start, sustain, and grow profitable enterprises.

At the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD), there are more than two dozen experts whose broad mission is to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, their experienced staff can help.

DECD and its partners show companies how to benefit from millions of dollars in tax credits, reimbursements, R & D credits, capital loans, even direct investment. Every year, DECD helps Maine communities attract jobs and grow their infrastructure with unique financing programs.

Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC) has been advancing sustainable aquaculture research, education, and industry development since 1988, helping to strengthen Maine’s working waterfront and blue economy.

MAIC supports new and existing aquaculture businesses through applied research, workforce development, and collaboration between industry, educators, and policymakers. Their work focuses on innovation, environmental stewardship, and long-term economic viability for Maine’s coastal communities.

MCE partners closely with MAIC on grants and programs that support aquaculture entrepreneurs, providing business education, mentorship, and resources that help Maine’s aquaculture sector grow and thrive.

FocusMaine was established to strengthen and revitalize opportunity and prosperity in Maine by accelerating the creation of quality jobs within a few select, traded sectors that have high growth potential, based on global growth projections and Maine’s competitive advantages in those sectors.

These target industries include:

  • Agriculture

  • Aquaculture

  • Biopharmaceuticals

Using a fact-based, disciplined approach to industry development, FocusMaine acts as a catalyst for the accelerated and sustainable growth and business confidence that energize Maine’s economy. MCE’s partnership with FocusMaine was instrumental in the development of the Cultivator food, beverage and agriculture accelerator program.

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is an independent, nonprofit research institute located in East Boothbay, Maine. From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Bigelow Laboratory scientists use innovative approaches to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on our planet.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) is a Community Development Financial Institution that works to build a more equitable economy by growing good jobs, livelihoods and small business ownership, while advancing a just transition to a climate-resilient future.

The University of Maine System’s primary goal is to provide education and skills for a high-quality and job-ready workforce, along with science and technological innovations to diversify the Maine economy. The university also offers multiple “on-ramps” for private sector collaboration.

The Office of Innovation and Economic Development at the University of Maine helps support new and existing businesses with access to industry experts, sponsored research and development, technology transfer and commercialization. Their work helps innovation across Maine grow, which creates future innovators and new jobs, and enhances the state economy.

MCE works closely with the university and the Office of Innovation and Economic Development to help new and established businesses to grow and contribute to the improvement of Maine’s economy.

Dirigo Labs Dirigo Labs fosters innovation and supports Maine-based entrepreneurs by strengthening early-stage startup ecosystems and accelerating the growth of scalable businesses.

Through accelerator programs, curriculum development, investor connections, and mentor collaboration, Dirigo Labs serves as a launchpad for founders seeking to build and grow companies in Maine. Their focus on talent, capital, and community helps entrepreneurs move from idea to impact.

MCE works closely with Dirigo Labs to coordinate subject matter experts, mentor placements, and best practices—ensuring entrepreneurs have access to high-quality guidance and resources as they grow Maine businesses.

The Island Institute works to sustain Maine’s island and remote coastal communities by strengthening local economies, advancing climate resilience, and supporting working waterfronts.

Through research, policy leadership, and hands-on programming, the Island Institute helps fishing families and coastal businesses adapt to change while preserving Maine’s heritage industries. Their work ensures that fishermen and marine-based entrepreneurs have the tools and knowledge needed to remain competitive and resilient.

MCE partners with the Island Institute to deliver programming that supports the blue economy, combining business education and mentorship with deep sector expertise to help coastal entrepreneurs build strong, future-ready businesses.