Maine Venture Fund is a venture capital firm established in 1995 and based in Newport, Maine. It focuses on investing in small and medium-sized growth companies across various industry sectors that demonstrate potential for high growth and public benefit. The fund primarily targets Maine-based companies, investing between $0.1 million and $0.3 million in initial funding, with additional capital available for ongoing support. It specifically seeks to invest in companies with gross sales of $5 million or less within the past 12 months. Maine Venture Fund operates as a revolving "evergreen" fund, having received $13 million in capital contributions from the State of Maine. The firm aims to exit its investments within five to seven years, aligning its mission to attract and support eligible small businesses that can significantly contribute to the economic prosperity of Maine.
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.
KinoTek combines portable motion capture and machine learning in an intuitive, 3D interface deployable on the field of play. It is an innovative software utilizing Virtual Reality and Motion Capture Technology to change the way human movement analysis is approached and applied. They are taking complex biomechanics data and simplifying the information to provide a simple visual representation. Their software is proven to increase the retention of skills, decrease the chance of injury, and improve overall athletic output. KinoTek is governed by a sense of identity and commitment to the state of Maine and its communities, a passion for learning and growing with new information and technology, and an obligation to do things that matter them, to its users, and to anyone else that they can impact on their journey. The company was founded by Justin Hafner, David Holomakoff, and Patrick Breeding in 2018 and is based in Portland, Maine.
Good food should do good. At Atlantic Sea Farms, our kelp is never dried, never dyed, and is grown at home. We are dedicated to making a powerful and positive impact on the health of our customers and oceans by creating craveable and innovative products made from sustainably farmed sea greens, all while expanding opportunities for Maine's fishing communities.
Pumpspotting is a social network and companion app for breastfeeding, pumping parents and the place to connect over milk, motherhood and the best places to nurse and pump.
American Unagi raises American eels sourced from Maine's unique glass eel fishery. Their farm produces a more responsible, traceable, and ultimately safer eel product than what is currently available in the US.
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.
VETRO FiberMap is an innovative, cloud-based fiber management GIS platform purpose-built for network design and operations. The platform is specifically developed to meet the needs of broadband providers, municipalities, and telco engineers designing and building next-generation internet infrastructure. The VETRO FiberMap platform is the only SaaS network mapping solution built for small and mid-sized fiber ISPs and community fiber networks. It's easy to use, engineered for rapid integration, driven by open APIs, managed in the cloud, and delivered through your web browser. VETRO FiberMap enables you to access accurate network data from anywhere, as well as design, deploy and document networks—all from a single, cost-effective platform. VETRO FiberMap was launched in 2016 by two founders, Will Mitchell and Sean Myers, who recognized that traditional mapping tools could not meet the needs of a rising tide of small and mid-size Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These ISPs needed an intuitive and accessible tool that would allow them to plan, design, build, sell, and manage their broadband networks using a single, cost-effective solution. VETRO FiberMap, designed and developed with input from many ISPs, now delivers this unique solution to competitive fiber broadband providers in more than a dozen countries. VETRO FiberMap is headquartered in Portland, Maine and continues to grow under the leadership of Will and Sean, who have served the telecommunications industry with deep GIS expertise since originally founding NBT Solutions, a custom mapping consulting, design, and services company, in 2008. Their strong GIS pedigree informs software development at VETRO FiberMap, and fuels the company’s mission to build the best broadband network mapping software in the world—rooted in quality design, user experience, and customer service. VETRO FiberMap is committed to serving broadband providers, and becoming an integral part of the community building the next internet infrastructure.
Nearpeer, Inc. is a technology company based in Portland, Maine, founded in 2017. It offers a mobile application that connects college students internationally, facilitating engagement through shared interests. The app, available on Google Play and the App Store, utilizes machine learning to enhance peer interactions, which can lead to increased commitment to college. Nearpeer's platform has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing student attrition and improving first-year retention rates, resulting in a significant return on investment for educational institutions. Clients such as Louisiana State University, Appalachian State University, and the University of Maine have benefited from its services, which aim to enhance the student experience and academic performance by fostering a supportive community among peers.
Pumpspotting is a social network and companion app for breastfeeding, pumping parents and the place to connect over milk, motherhood and the best places to nurse and pump.
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.
Reconnect, Inc. operates a comprehensive platform that utilizes software, hardware, and data to enhance outcomes for individuals involved in pretrial, reentry, and recovery processes. The company's solutions are designed to support drug courts, probation, parole, and third-party administrators, with a focus on those facing addiction and navigating the criminal justice system. Reconnect aims to reduce incarceration rates, recidivism, and associated costs, particularly for defendants. Founded in 2009 and based in Cumberland Center, Maine, the company also has offices in Portland, Maine; Brooklyn, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. As a Public Benefit Company, Reconnect integrates its mission into its business practices, prioritizing positive social impact in its operations.
Defendify streamlines cybersecurity for organizations without security teams through an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform designed to continuously strengthen cybersecurity posture across people, process, and technology. Defendify delivers multiple layers of protection by providing cybersecurity expertise, support, and its all-in-one, easy-to-use platform designed to continuously strengthen cybersecurity across people, process, and technology.
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.
Walch Education has launched the www.curriculumengine.com, the first object-oriented curriculum management tool in the cloud. We provide school districts and teachers with the tools and assets they need to control and customize their curriculum for delivery in class and remotely. This facilitates collaboration and the dissemination of best practices, and free districts from the tyranny of "one size fits all" solutions. We work with some of the largest school districts in the country to enable tailored resources, and are in the process of scaling up to expand our footprint. Importantly, with the patent-pending object-oriented architecture of the Curriculum Engine, we will will be able to correlate performance with instruction, enabling true data driven insights for the first time
Oyster Tracker makes the aquaculture industry more profitable with a SAAS based farm management system. The company is starting with the 2,300 oyster farms in the $1.4 billion US aquaculture industry. The global industry presents a much larger opportunity. Oyster Tracker was founded in 2018 and based in Castine, Maine.
Amplify Additive is an early-stage private company specializing in metal additive manufacturing, primarily targeting the orthopedic implant and instrument market. Utilizing GE Additive’s Arcam Q10plus EBM technology, the company focuses on enhancing industry infrastructure to assist clients in effectively leveraging additive manufacturing for their designs. Amplify Additive offers a range of services, including 3D metal printing, implant manufacturing, design and engineering, regulatory guidance, and third-party testing. Through these services, the company enables clients to access appropriate technologies tailored to specific orthopedic applications, while also exploring markets beyond orthopedics.
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.
Cerahelix is a manufacturer of ceramic picofiltration products designed to facilitate high-quality water purification. The company's bio-derived products are developed using a patented DNA template technology to form sub-nanometer pores in a ceramic to provide very minute particle filtration, enabling water purification agencies to separate salts, metal ions, and other impurities dissolved in water at the molecular level.
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.
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.
Chimani, Inc. develops an application that serves as a comprehensive travel guide for national and state parks, providing users with essential information to enhance their outdoor experiences. Founded in 2010 and based in Portland, Maine, the application offers features such as sunrise and sunset data, tidal information, ranger-led events, and audio tours, along with professional photography and news updates from the National Park Traveler. Additionally, it includes detailed maps and descriptions of park features, trails, and amenities, addressing common challenges faced by travelers, such as overcrowding and lack of information. By facilitating access to this information, Chimani aims to inspire a deeper appreciation for nature and ensure a high-quality experience for visitors to national parks.
Wentworth Technology develops a drive-thru headset system for the quick-service restaurant market. Their team of wireless communications professionals has over 60 years of combined experience providing full-featured wireless communications solutions to the most demanding industries.
The company is built on the principles of making quality products and providing reliable service. Their product range continues to grow by following trends, improving our standard products, and listening to the customer.
Certify offers online travel and expense management solution for companies of all sizes. Organizations worldwide can book travel as well as create and submit expense reports quickly, easily and efficiently with minimum training due to its unique intuitive data entry options and easy-to-use interface. Certify features no software to buy or maintain, no servers to manage, and requires only an internet connection.
Located in Bangor, Maine, OSS is a small high tech company that was incorporated in 2004 for the purpose of advancing and commercializing chemical and biological agent detection research being conducted at the University of Maine. At OSS, we conduct research and develop chemical sampling products that satisfy needs within Defense, environmental, and commercial industries. Throughout our history, OSS has been supported by several R&D contracting opportunities with the Department of Defense to advance the state-of-the-art in chemical and biological agent detection. OSS has successfully transitioned many of these technologies into the products that it currently sells.
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.
Newfield Design is a Maine, US based company that designs, develops and manufactures communications systems infrastructure. The founders have decades of experience in successful communications system design, development, deployment and management, particularly with Public Safety, Commercial/SMR and Critical Infrastructure communications systems.
Foneshow has built a telephony-based distribution platform for short-form audio (primarily news/talk/sports radio programming). The platform leverages the cellular telephone network and enables users to subscribe to, access, publish, share, and consume short-form audio programming immediately from virtually any cell phone. The system features the very rapid propagation of programming from the creator to the consumer. Patents are pending. Foneshow was founded in late August of 2006 on Ballston Beach in Truro, Massachusetts by Erik Schwartz and Nic Wolff, two technology industry veterans and lifelong friends. Nic and Erik had been kicking some of the ideas around for a while, wondering why they never listened to podcasts. In late summer 2006 they developed the ideas that would become Foneshow. They started coding in September of 2006 with alpha launching later in September. The foneshow.com domain was registered in October 2006. The company was organized as a Delaware LLC in November of 2006. In August of 2007 Foneshow closed a series A venture capital round with CEI Community Ventures, Masthead Venture Partners, and Small Enterprise Growth Fund of Maine.
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.
BlueTarp Financial is a B2B credit management company serving over 2000 suppliers since 1998. BlueTarp pays suppliers upfront for their sales and protects them from credit risk so they can fund the growth of their business. Suppliers can customize their program by choosing to manage customer interactions as they do today, or select a full-service option where BlueTarp handles customer service and collections. They can also grow sales with options for up to 90-day terms, credit lines up to $1M, and a loyalty rewards program. Their SmartView™online tools give suppliers full transparency into customer buying and payment activities. It was founded in 1998 and headquartered in Portland, Maine.
Phylogix Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on tissue protection and oncology. The company develops lectin-based drugs focused on tissue protection, oncology, and immunology. It also involves in the development of FRIL, an agent to protect patients from the toxic side-effects of chemotherapy. Phylogix Inc. is based in Scarborough, Maine.
Coast of Maine Organic Products was founded in 1996 with the simple idea that a healthy planet needs healthy soil to sustain life. From this idea, a love of gardening, and a commitment to sustainable practices, Coast of Maine Organic Products has grown to offer what we believe are the most unique and effective organic gardening products available.