CEI Ventures, Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Brunswick, Maine, and serves as the investment arm of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Established in 1994, the firm specializes in seed/start-up, early-stage, mid-venture investments, recapitalizations, and growth capital. CEI Ventures focuses on companies that are emerging, growing, or transforming, with a particular emphasis on underserved markets in New England, especially in Maine. The firm typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million, often through multiple financing rounds, and aims to exit its investments within five to seven years. CEI Ventures also seeks to take an active role in its portfolio companies by securing board seats.
HighByte, Inc. is a software development company based in Portland, Maine, established in 2018. The company specializes in addressing data integration and security challenges for industrial businesses through its flagship product, the HighByte Intelligence Hub. This solution is designed to help users securely connect, model, and manage operational data across their enterprises, facilitating the adoption of Industry 4.0. The HighByte Intelligence Hub is recognized as the first DataOps solution tailored to meet the specific needs of industrial assets, products, and processes at the Edge. HighByte emphasizes the importance of contextualized and standardized data in enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making within the industrial sector.
HighByte, Inc. is a software development company based in Portland, Maine, established in 2018. The company specializes in addressing data integration and security challenges for industrial businesses through its flagship product, the HighByte Intelligence Hub. This solution is designed to help users securely connect, model, and manage operational data across their enterprises, facilitating the adoption of Industry 4.0. The HighByte Intelligence Hub is recognized as the first DataOps solution tailored to meet the specific needs of industrial assets, products, and processes at the Edge. HighByte emphasizes the importance of contextualized and standardized data in enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making within the industrial sector.
Crossfin Ventures is a principal investment firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, with additional offices in Durban and Johannesburg. Established in 2017, the firm focuses on investing in fintech companies, particularly those based in Africa. Crossfin aims to enable economic growth by supporting both high-growth and established businesses that generate cash flow. The firm collaborates with partners like Investec Bank, leveraging their extensive knowledge and network in the financial services sector to strengthen its portfolio. Crossfin Ventures emphasizes backing investee companies to achieve key milestones, such as revenue targets and profitability, while also exploring strategic partnerships and exits to enhance value. Notable assets in the Crossfin portfolio include Innervation, Sureswipe, and iKhokha, which collectively serve over 27,000 retail merchants across 47,000 active POS devices in 13 African countries.
Culture Fresh Foods manufactures Dairy + Non-Dairy products and Beverages. They work with a wide variety of local, national, and global suppliers to produce plant-based foods that appeal to a wide consumer audience. They combine the healthful goodness of ingredients like oats, nuts, coconuts, beans, and seeds into creative formulations that meet the customer's needs for healthy, convenient, and tasty foods.
The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Naugatuck, Connecticut.
CourseStorm, Inc. specializes in online class registration software designed for local programs, facilitating easy management of course registrations. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Orono, Maine, CourseStorm provides a straightforward solution that allows organizations to create an online catalog, upload courses, and start accepting registrations quickly. The software serves a variety of sectors, including community education, children's camps, health programs, art centers, music classes, computer courses, yoga sessions, and parks and recreation activities. It offers a user-friendly website for students to browse, search, and register for available courses, enhancing the overall experience for both organizations and participants.
Dream Local Digital is a digital marketing agency based in Rockland, Maine, specializing in services for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations across the United States. Founded in 2009, the company offers a range of digital marketing solutions, including online marketing strategy development, social media management, email marketing, reputation management, and search engine optimization. Additionally, Dream Local provides web design and development services, as well as business intelligence and reporting through partnerships. The agency collaborates with newspapers, media companies, and advertising agencies to enhance their online marketing efforts. Recognized as a Google Partner and a certified Facebook Blueprint company, Dream Local Digital aims to deliver comprehensive digital marketing strategies tailored to the specific needs of its clients.
Mobile Price Card, Inc. develops a mobile application that displays dynamic content on the in store display devices. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Bangor, Maine.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing ultralight outdoor gear, focusing on high-performance products made from durable materials like Cuben Fiber. Founded in 2010 and based in Biddeford, Maine, the company offers a diverse range of equipment for various outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, climbing, pack-rafting, kayaking, and cycling. Its product lineup includes a wide selection of backpacks, shelters, tarps, tents, sacks, and accessories, catering to different needs with capacities ranging from 1,600 cubic inches to 4,400 cubic inches. Hyperlite Mountain Gear primarily markets and sells its products online, aiming to enhance outdoor experiences by providing lightweight solutions that improve speed and efficiency.
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. provides network deployment and information technology (IT) professional services. The company offers network design, development, and deployment in a range of technologies; IT professional services, including ERP, data, strategy, supply chain operations, technology and process transformation, program management office, software selection, and software development services; government consulting, including project consulting, management, and execution; and staffing and recruitment services. It serves construction, telecom, government, and utility industries worldwide. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Portland, Maine with a network of offices in the United States.
Genicon is recognized as an emerging leader in the design, production, and distribution of patented surgical instrumentation focused exclusively on laparoscopic surgery. Genicon is a privately held firm in which several of their shareholders are surgeons who utilize their products. Genicon remains today as it originated: a company driven to meet the needs of modern-day healthcare through the harmonization of clinical needs and the economic demands of a global healthcare system.
Pika Energy, Inc. is a Westbrook, Maine-based manufacturer of direct current (DC) power electronics. Our nanogrid technology is installed throughout the United States and Canada and in several overseas markets. All Pika Energy products are designed, tested, and manufactured in the United States, using domestic materials.
Founded in 2010 by MIT-educated engineers, Pika Energy manufactures high-efficiency, bidirectional inverters and charge controllers, small wind turbines, and substring solar optimizers.
Maine Craft Distilling is a farm to flask distillery producing small-batch spirits in Portland Maine. It works in close collaboration with local farmers to carefully select agricultural products and then bring together centuries-old distilling methods, a good dose of innovation, and a whole lot of Yankee ingenuity.
It was founded in 2012.
Pika Energy, Inc. is a Westbrook, Maine-based manufacturer of direct current (DC) power electronics. Our nanogrid technology is installed throughout the United States and Canada and in several overseas markets. All Pika Energy products are designed, tested, and manufactured in the United States, using domestic materials.
Founded in 2010 by MIT-educated engineers, Pika Energy manufactures high-efficiency, bidirectional inverters and charge controllers, small wind turbines, and substring solar optimizers.
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. provides network deployment and information technology (IT) professional services. The company offers network design, development, and deployment in a range of technologies; IT professional services, including ERP, data, strategy, supply chain operations, technology and process transformation, program management office, software selection, and software development services; government consulting, including project consulting, management, and execution; and staffing and recruitment services. It serves construction, telecom, government, and utility industries worldwide. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Portland, Maine with a network of offices in the United States.
Ektron, Inc. provides Software-as-a-Service enterprise Web content and digital experience management solutions worldwide. It offers persona management, marketing optimization, and digital experience hub solutions; and ESYNC to automate the provisioning of Web content, code, assets, and templates from development through production. The company also provides responsive Web design and inbound Website solutions. In addition, it offers professional services, including consulting, infrastructure and configuration support, training, implementation, and post-launch managed services. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. As of January 27, 2015, Ektron, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of EPiServer AB.
At Isis for Women, we want the same thing you do in clothing: something that fits, looks good, gives us confidence, and enables us to live an active life. We understand that fit is more than just a number on a size chart. That’s why we design clothes to fit the bodies and lives of real women. And because we want to more spend time doing what we care about, our clothes are easy to care for, soft-to-touch.
Innov-X Systems manufactures, sells and services field portable x-ray based analytical instruments providing real-time, non-destructive analysis to multiple industries with varied applications. Thousands of units are in use world-wide in remote areas or in demanding applications with continuous uptime requirements.
Stillwater Scientific Instruments
Venture Round in 2005
Stillwater Scientific Instruments (SSI) is developing a device that dramatically decreases the time it takes to analyze chemical compounds in the laboratory. This device, a component of mass spectrometers will be sold to laboratory equipment manufacturers. Mass spectrometers are sold primarily in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as environmental fields in which complex chemical mixtures must be accurately identified. This device was developed through research at the University of Maine, and Stillwater Scientific Instruments was founded to commercialize this technology. The project has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the Maine Technology Institute.
HB is a cozy storefront bistro nestled amidst the bustling nightlife of Boystown. Executive Chef, Victor Morenz, and Sous Chef, Corey Bowers are dishing up inventive New American fare; familiar flavors executed in unfamiliar ways. At HB you’ll feel like you are having your own private dinner party; you bring the champagne, thay all bring the food!
The NewsMarket, Inc. operates a Web-based video marketing and distribution platform. The company's platform enables corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to market and share their video content with media, blogs, consumers, and online communities. It offers stories, videos, audios, and stills in the categories of aerospace and defense, agriculture, automotive and transportation, business and industry, charities and non-profits, countries-cities, education, energy, entertainment, environment, climate change, fashion, government and international affairs, green, health care, human interests, public service announcements, science, sports, technology, Internet, telecommunications, trade shows, and travel and leisure. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in New York, New York with additional offices in Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, London, San Francisco, Munich, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. After acquiring MediaLink in 2009, The NewsMarket rebranded as [Synaptic Digital](/organization/synaptic-digital).