FocusMaine

One more week to participate in our survey—Let us know what additional Lab Space in Southern Maine could mean for you and/or your company! 🔬 🧪

📣 Request for Proposals 📣 FocusMaine is seeking proposals for a Grant Writer/Seeker to: 🔎 Research and identify relevant federal grant opportunities aligned with FocusMaine’s objectives and programs. ✍ Collaborate with staff and stakeholders to write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals that meet all requirements and deadlines. 💰 Partner with FocusMaine’s Manager of Finance, Grants, and Administration to develop accurate and competitive grant budgets. 🤝 Engage with program staff, external partners, and government agencies as needed to support application development and submission. Visit https://lnkd.in/gXmVVHyD for more information and proposal submission instructions. #maine #rfp #grantwriting #grantseeking #opportunity #economicdevelopment #federalfunding #network

We want to hear from you! 🗣️👂 Maine Technology Institute is exploring funding for a shared lab facility in southern Maine. This facility would provide access to specialized equipment, infrastructure, and support services for companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs who need lab space but don’t have the resources to build it themselves. These spaces can spark innovation and collaboration, especially in fields like life sciences and biotechnology. To help us assess demand, take the survey (~5 mins) that pertains to you and share your input! Community member: https://lnkd.in/gusxbF2J Prospective tenant: https://lnkd.in/gB-YiSbj Academic, research institute, or organization that spins out startups: https://lnkd.in/gxG3ZZPh #maine #lifesciences #labspace #survey #innovation #research #entrepreneurship Photo from BIOME (Bioscience Association of Maine) visual library Attributions: Marin Skincare

Congratulations North Spore on your recent recognition by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Maine Small Business Manufacturer of the Year! 🍄 🏆 North Spore has been a participant in FocusMaine programs since 2018 including Tastemakers (partnership with CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.)), Cultivator, and MarketShare (Maine Center for Entrepreneurs partnerships). #maine #smallbusiness #foodeconomy #awardwinning

Maine Seafood takes on Boston! 🦪 🎣 The Maine Seafood Reception has featured a broad range of Maine seafood products for the past 3 years and Maine lobster for even longer. Co-hosted by Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, the 2025 reception drew more than 200 attendees from across the United States, including 16 international buyers last week. “This reception was a wonderful opportunity to connect Maine’s premier seafood suppliers with key domestic and international buyers,” Janine Bisaillon-Cary, program manager for the MarketShare Food Accelerator program at the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, told Mainebiz. “It showcased not just the quality of our seafood, but also the collaborative spirit and innovation that defines Maine’s seafood industry,” she noted. Check out the full story on Mainebiz: https://lnkd.in/gNNnSdad #maine #seafood #foodeconomy #innovation #entrepreneurship #aquaculture

Happy #NationalScienceAppreciationDay! 🎉🔬 Maine’s life sciences sector is thriving, and there’s never been a better time to get involved! Dive into the BioME March Newsletter for exciting updates and opportunities to help shape the future of our state’s economy. #maine #science #lifesciences #innovation #opportunity

Hear from the experts on the state of Food and Beverage Processing in Maine! ✍ Register for free at: https://lnkd.in/g_QdGeKx #maine #food #beverage #foodeconomy #processing

🥇 Maine goes for gold! 🥇 Congratulations to Blue Ox Malthouse on their two gold medals and Best of Show recognition at the 2025 Malt Cup Awards! 🏆 Blue Ox has been a participant in Tastemakers, a FocusMaine program with CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.), and Cultivator, in partnership with Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. These programs help Maine food businesses scale up with expert support—and Blue Ox is proof of their impact! Founder Joel Alex put it best in Mainebiz: “This recognition is validation that we can craft world-class ingredients with Maine-grown grains, which elevate our customers’ products, our farmers’ hard work, and our community at large.” Maine-grown. Maine-crafted. Maine-proud. 👏🌾 Read more about their unique business journey in Mainebiz: https://lnkd.in/g8qeVBFz #maine #food #foodeconomy #awards #madeinmaine #business #scale #growth

💸 Funding opportunity for food businesses! 💸 📅 Application Due: April 7 🥕🦪 Eligible Entities: Farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, with $1M or less in annual sales or $350,000 or less in annual sales are eligible to apply (funding track dependent). See more details in the post below! #maine #food #foodeconomy #smallbusiness #funding #grants

Did you catch this afternoon's Maine Calling on Eels and Elver Fishing? 🌊 🐍 An expert panel on the historical, scientific, and economic significance of the Maine eel fishing industry was joined by callers including Sara Rademaker of American Unagi, a recipient of the FocusMaine 2023 Propel grant and an alum of MarketShare, a FocusMaine partnership program with Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. Take a listen to learn how Rademaker, described by Maine Calling host as "a Pioneer for growing eels in Maine," created the land-based, recirculating aquaculture facility in Waldoboro and how it benefits the local economy by keeping processing and sales of a natural Maine resource right at home. Listen online at https://lnkd.in/gS8gx2KP Or on Maine Public Radio tonight at 8 p.m. #maine #food #aquaculture #eels #americaneels #fishing #farming #foodeconomy #radio