Maine Technology Institute

🍂 MTI’s innovation ecosystem is thriving this fall! 🍂
As cooler temperatures and shorter days arrive, we’re looking ahead to a busy season of connection, collaboration, and momentum across Maine’s innovation community.

Here’s what’s happening:
✅ A new round of funding for MTI’s Innovation Ecosystem Development Program (IEDP), supporting organizations that help Maine’s innovation-driven companies form, grow, and scale
✅ The IEDP Challenge application is now open, with a deadline of October 14 at 5 p.m. and upcoming Zoom information sessions
✅ Our fall networking event is coming up on October 7, hosted at the University of Maine as part of Forest Biomaterials Week and in collaboration with Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub

We’re grateful to everyone helping strengthen Maine’s innovation ecosystem and look forward to seeing many of you this fall!

👉 Stay tuned for event details and registration information. Read the full post here: https://www.mainetechnology.org/updates/funding-and-fall-connections-whats-happening-at-mti/

Breakthrough Maine is back for another year of bringing Maine’s innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and community leaders together.

MTI is proud to partner with Northeastern University’s Roux Institute on this event series, creating opportunities to connect, share ideas, and strengthen Maine’s innovation ecosystem.

From entrepreneurship and emerging technologies to research and economic development, Breakthrough Maine highlights the people and ideas helping move Maine forward.

We’re excited for what’s ahead.
Learn more and explore the 2026 event lineup: https://roux.northeastern.edu/breakthrough-maine-series/

Come join us at a special networking and informational event celebrating Maine's Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub! Held during Maine Forest Biomaterials Week, this MTI Networking/Tech Hub event brings together industry, researchers, and partners to learn more about Maine's Tech Hub - recently awarded federal funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) - and the opportunities it creates across the state. Attendees will hear about Tech Hub goals, available programs and services, and the sectors this work touches, all while connecting with fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from across Maine's forest economy.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5–7 p.m.
Where: Wells Conference Center, University of Maine

Program at a glance
5:00–5:30 p.m. — Networking
5:30–6:00 p.m. — Tech Hub presentation
6:00–7:00 p.m. — Additional networking

A U.S. Economic Development Administration designated Tech Hub, Maine's Tech Hub is led by the University of Maine in partnership with Maine Technology Institute and the Maine Department of Labor.

🚀 ReForm Composites is turning decades of advanced composites research at the University of Maine into commercial manufacturing, helping make continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP) more accessible for structural applications across industries.

🏭 Supported by the Maine Technology Institute through Business Innovation Range II and Range III awards and the Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF) 3.0, ReForm built two production lines, established a dedicated manufacturing facility, grew to 6 full-time employees, and brought its first commercial product, PolyDowel™, to market. The company is also pursuing development opportunities with multiple Fortune 500 companies, including a Fortune 50 company.

📖 Read the full Innovation Spotlight to learn how ReForm is commercializing its proprietary Continuous Forming technology, developing lighter and corrosion-resistant alternatives to traditional materials, creating new manufacturing opportunities in Maine, and expanding where advanced composites can be used in construction, infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, and other demanding applications: https://www.mainetechnology.org/impact/innovator-spotlight/reform-composites/

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Free AI training for Maine businesses through MERC AI!

If you’re a Maine-based business ready to innovate, this opportunity is for you.

Here’s what’s included:
• Up to 3 Coursera licenses per business
• Unlimited access to Coursera’s GenAI course catalog
• Self-paced learning designed around your business goals
• Courses for all levels—from AI fundamentals to advanced applications

No prior AI experience required. Just be Maine-based and ready to put AI to work.
Supported by MTI and the USM School of Business. Space is limited.

Apply now: https://www.mainetechnology.org/explore-funding-programs/maine-entrepreneurial-resource-corps-merc/merc-ai/

Meet Austin Williams, Director of the Maine Blue Economy Center. With a background in economic development, partnerships, and workforce development, Austin is focused on connecting Maine’s people, ideas, and opportunities.

💡 “The through line has always been people and place, and a motivation to build bridges where they didn’t exist.”

Outside of work, Austin enjoys exploring Maine with his family, getting on the water, biking to the beach, and catching live music.

👉 Learn more about Austin here: https://www.mainetechnology.org/updates/meet-austin-williams-connecting-maines-blue-economy-to-new-opportunities/

Breakthrough Maine is back—and better than ever! 🚀

MTI is proud to sponsor Breakthrough Maine alongside Northeastern University’s Roux Institute and help bring together the innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and community leaders shaping Maine’s future.

We’re excited to support this incredible series of events and the connections, ideas, and collaboration it sparks across Maine’s innovation ecosystem.

Check out the upcoming events and join us! 👇

Learn more and RSVP now: https://roux.northeastern.edu/breakthrough-maine-series/

🚀 Maine Accelerates Growth Monthly Meetup
Entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators — this is your community!
Join us every third Thursday, 11 AM – 12 PM (ET) for an hour of connection, inspiration, and insight from Maine startups and the organizations fueling their growth.

What to expect each month:
🚀 Startup spotlights & founder stories
💡 Presentations from ecosystem partners
📢 Updates from MTI + DECD
🤝 Networking with Maine’s innovation community
📅 Next meetup: Thursday, September 17 | 11 AM – 12 PM ET

🔗 Join us on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 885 1364 7732 | Passcode: 141648

Major opportunity for Maine’s innovation community is coming to Portland.

On September 3, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will bring its DARPAConnect Regional Pop-Up to Maine, giving businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and technology developers the opportunity to engage directly with DARPA leaders, program managers and staff.

For Maine innovators working across advanced materials, biotechnology, environmental technologies, forest products, information technology, marine technology, aquaculture, precision manufacturing and other emerging fields, this is an important opportunity to:
• Learn about DARPA’s mission, priorities and upcoming initiatives
• Hear directly from program managers about how to engage with the agency
• Understand what makes a competitive DARPA proposal
• Build relationships with leaders advancing some of the nation’s most ambitious research and technology programs

Having this level of access to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA here in Maine is significant. We encourage innovators from across the state to take advantage of it.

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
📍 Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks
💻 In-person and virtual attendance available

Register today: https://www.darpa.mil/events/2026/darpa-connect-portland-maine