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.

CEI Ventures, Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Brunswick, Maine, and operates as the investment arm of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Established in 1994, the firm focuses on seed/start-up, early stage, mid venture investments, recapitalizations, and growth capital investments. CEI Ventures targets emerging, growing, or transforming companies, particularly in underserved markets throughout the Northeastern United States, with a strong preference for investments in Maine. The firm typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million, often through multiple rounds of financing, and aims to exit its investments within five to seven years. CEI Ventures seeks active involvement in its portfolio companies, often taking a board seat. The firm's investment interests span various sectors, including technology, healthcare, consumer products, and environmental services.

Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt capital investments, primarily targeting small businesses at various stages of development, from early to later stages, excluding seed investments. Advantage Capital focuses on investing in low-income communities, both urban and rural, and supports state and local economic development initiatives. It seeks opportunities in sectors such as communication, information technology, telecommunications, business services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, and energy, while also considering investments in rural agricultural businesses. The firm typically makes initial investments ranging from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales of less than $5 million, with potential for larger investments based on milestones. Advantage Capital also provides various forms of debt capital and prefers co-investing with other firms. The firm is committed to addressing the financing needs of underserved areas and fostering economic growth in communities lacking traditional sources of risk capital.

York IE is a venture capital firm established in 2019, headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, with an additional office in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in early-stage B2B SaaS startups, focusing on investments in New England and New Hampshire. York IE employs a hybrid model that combines strategic advisory services with investment and operational growth support. Through its proprietary SaaS-based Fuel Platform and various advisory modules, the firm leverages market data and analytics to assist entrepreneurs and investors in scaling their businesses and effectively navigating market disruptions.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

Anania & Associates Investment Company LLC is a private equity firm established in 2008 and based in Portland, Maine. The firm specializes in investing in a diverse range of sectors, including natural resources, industrials, healthcare, education, manufacturing, software, and distribution. With a focus on Maine and its surrounding areas, Anania & Associates aims to foster growth and innovation within its portfolio companies by providing capital and strategic support, thereby contributing to the local economy and industry development.

Blue Highway Capital is a private equity firm that focuses on providing growth capital to small and middle-market companies, particularly in rural communities within the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The firm primarily invests in sectors such as specialty manufacturing, distribution and logistics, business and technology services, healthcare and medical products, as well as natural resources and environmental services. With a target equity investment range of $2 million to $5 million, Blue Highway Capital seeks companies with revenues exceeding $2 million, typically preferring to take either majority or minority stakes. The firm operates from its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Biddeford, Maine.

Camden National Corporation operates Camden National Bank, a full-service community bank based in Camden, Maine, that has been serving its customers since 1875. The bank provides a wide range of commercial and consumer banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. Its offerings include various deposit products such as checking and savings accounts, as well as time deposits and certificates of deposit. Camden National Bank also originates a variety of loans, including residential, commercial real estate, and business loans, and serves specific sectors like the medical field. Additionally, the bank offers brokerage and insurance services, along with investment management, financial planning, and wealth management services through its subsidiary, Acadia Trust, N.A. With a network of branches and ATMs across Maine, Camden National Bank is committed to supporting local communities and delivering quality financial solutions.

Ironwood Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Avon, Connecticut, specializing in providing non-control growth capital to middle-market businesses across North America. The firm targets investments in the form of subordinated debt and preferred stock, typically ranging from $2 million to $25 million, focusing on companies with annual revenues between $20 million and $200 million and EBITDA of $3 million to $15 million. It invests across a variety of sectors including healthcare, consumer products, information technology, and manufacturing, with a preference for businesses located east of the Mississippi River. Ironwood Capital emphasizes supporting companies in growth financings, recapitalizations, and generational transitions while maintaining a non-controlling stake. The firm also has a particular interest in businesses in low- to moderate-income areas and those that are women or minority-owned. Founded in 1985, Ironwood Capital aims to exit its investments within three to five years and operates additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Black Point Group is a private equity firm based in Portland, Maine, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investments in both public and private growth companies, with a focus on sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, cloud computing, and biotechnology. Black Point Group aims to create long-term value through active involvement in its portfolio companies, leveraging its operational and investment expertise. Additionally, the firm is committed to significant engagement in public service initiatives.

Clean Energy Venture Group, founded in 2005 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an angel investment group that specializes in providing seed capital and management expertise to early-stage clean energy companies. Comprised of experienced executives with a strong background in energy and environmental sectors, the group leverages its investment capital along with valuable industry knowledge and networking opportunities to support the growth of its portfolio companies. While its primary focus is on the Northeast United States, Clean Energy Venture Group has also collaborated with businesses across the country and in Canada, targeting investments in various sectors, including cleantech and climate technology.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Overview & History Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. The SBA was officially established in 1953, but its philosophy and mission began to take shape years earlier in a number of predecessor agencies, largely as a response to the pressures of the Great Depression and World War II. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), created by President Herbert Hoover in 1932 to alleviate the financial crisis of the Great Depression, was SBA's grandparent. The RFC was basically a federal lending program for all businesses hurt by the Depression, large and small. It was adopted as the personal project of Hoover's successor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was staffed by some of Roosevelt's most capable and dedicated workers. Concern for small business intensified during World War II, when large industries beefed up production to accommodate wartime defense contracts and smaller businesses were left unable to compete. To help small business participate in war production and give them financial viability, Congress created the Smaller War Plants Corporation (SWPC) in 1942. The SWPC provided direct loans to private entrepreneurs, encouraged large financial institutions to make credit available to small enterprises, and advocated small business interests to federal procurement agencies and big businesses. The SWPC was dissolved after the war, and its lending and contract powers were handed over to the RFC. At this time, the Office of Small Business (OSB) in the Department of Commerce also assumed some responsibilities that would later become characteristic duties of the SBA. Its services were primarily educational. Believing that a lack of information and expertise was the main cause of small business failure, the OSB produced brochures and conducted management counseling for individual entrepreneurs. Congress created another wartime organization to handle small business concerns during the Korean War, this time called the Small Defense Plants Administration (SDPA). Its functions were similar to those of the SWPC, except that ultimate lending authority was retained by the RFC. The SDPA certified small businesses to the RFC when it had determined the businesses to be competent to perform the work of government contracts. By 1952, a move was on to abolish the RFC. To continue the important functions of the earlier agencies, President Dwight Eisenhower proposed creation of a new small business agency -- the Small Business Administration (SBA). In the Small Business Act of July 30, 1953, Congress created the Small Business Administration, whose function was to "aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns." The charter also stipulated that the SBA would ensure small businesses a "fair proportion" of government contracts and sales of surplus property. By 1954, SBA already was making direct business loans and guaranteeing bank loans to small businesses, as well as making loans to victims of natural disasters, working to get government procurement contracts for small businesses and helping business owners with management and technical assistance and business training. The Investment Company Act of 1958 established the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, under which SBA licensed, regulated and helped provide funds for privately owned and operated venture capital investment firms. They specialized in providing long-term debt and equity investments to high-risk small businesses. Its creation was the result of a Federal Reserve study that discovered, in the simplest terms, that small businesses could not get the credit they needed to keep pace with technological advancement. In 1964, SBA began to attack poverty through the Equal Opportunity Loan (EOL) Program. The EOL Program relaxed the credit and collateral requirements for applicants living below the poverty level in an effort to encourage new businesses that had been unable to attract financial backing, but were nevertheless sound commercial initiatives. SBA has grown in terms of total assistance provided and its array of programs tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA's programs now include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. The SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.

Walnut Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that focuses on investing in seed and early-stage companies, primarily within the information technology sector. The firm is particularly interested in areas such as home entertainment software, data processing, online services, and internet marketing. It typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million in companies located in the New England region and aims to take an active role by seeking a board seat in its portfolio companies. Established in 1997, Walnut Ventures comprises a network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors who are dedicated to helping talented entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses in rapidly growing markets. The firm offers not only financial investment but also support in refining business plans, enhancing management teams, developing financing strategies, and facilitating strategic partnerships.

Atlas Venture is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1980. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in the life sciences and technology sectors, with a strong emphasis on biotechnology and personalized medicine. Atlas Venture adopts a seed-led venture creation strategy, rigorously selecting opportunities to build scalable businesses. It typically invests between $0.25 million and $15 million per transaction, preferring to be a lead investor and to obtain board representation in its portfolio companies. The firm primarily focuses on startups in the United States and Europe, particularly in New England and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since its inception, Atlas Venture has managed over $2 billion in committed capital and has been involved in the creation and growth of numerous companies, with many achieving significant exits through acquisitions or public offerings. The firm has distinct teams dedicated to life sciences and technology investments, allowing for specialized attention in these dynamic fields.

Borealis Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2002 and based in Hanover, New Hampshire, with an additional office in Portsmouth. The firm specializes in seed and early to mid-stage investments, focusing on emerging companies primarily in the life sciences, healthcare, digital health, information technology, and design and engineering software sectors. Borealis Ventures aims to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to build market-defining companies, particularly in areas such as 3D design and construction management. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million and $2.5 million in portfolio companies that have sales values up to $10 million and enterprise values up to $20 million. Borealis Ventures prefers to lead investments but is also open to co-investing with other firms or entrepreneurs. The firm is committed to taking board seats in its portfolio companies and has a specific focus on the North Boston and Northern New England regions.

Churchill Downs is a prominent horse racing facility located in Louisville, Kentucky, known for hosting the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which are central events in its live racing calendar. Established in 1875, the racetrack features the iconic Twin Spires and has undergone significant enhancements, including the addition of luxury suites, permanent lighting for night racing, and a new racetrack. The company, Churchill Downs Incorporated, also operates various gaming and wagering businesses, including casinos and online platforms such as TwinSpires, which provides online horse racing and sports betting services. In addition to its flagship racetrack, Churchill Downs has expanded its operations to include multiple racetracks and casinos across several states, diversifying its offerings in the gaming entertainment industry.

Inflection Point Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Newark, Delaware, specializing in early-stage investments. Established in 1998, the firm primarily targets pre and post-revenue companies in the telecommunications, information technology, and electronic commerce sectors. Inflection Point Ventures seeks to back businesses with innovative technologies that have the potential to drive significant market changes and achieve rapid growth in revenue and profitability. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $2 million per transaction and prefers to lead or co-lead its investments, often taking a position on the board of directors. With additional offices in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Bethesda, Maryland, the firm focuses on companies located in the Mid-Atlantic States and New England.

Supply Chain Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm that focuses on angel and early-stage investments in companies utilizing information technology to improve global marketing and supply chain management. Established in 2002 and based in Biddeford, Maine, the firm targets young, revenue-generating businesses, particularly those leveraging on-demand and open source technologies. Supply Chain Ventures employs two main investment strategies: making angel investments in operating companies with an established client base and collaborating with investment partners to provide early-stage funding to more developed companies. The firm combines capital with extensive entrepreneurial, operational, and investment expertise to support the growth and success of its portfolio companies.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. specializes in developing, manufacturing, and distributing diagnostic products and services for the companion animal, livestock, poultry, dairy, and water testing markets globally. The company operates through several segments, including Companion Animal Group, Water Quality Products, Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy, among others. IDEXX offers a wide range of point-of-care veterinary diagnostic tools, instruments, and rapid assay test kits, as well as reference laboratory services and practice management software for veterinarians. Additionally, the company provides diagnostic tests for livestock and poultry health management and water quality testing to ensure safety. IDEXX's products enhance veterinary care capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and support the economic success of veterinary practices. With over 4,900 employees, IDEXX Laboratories serves customers in more than 100 countries and generates a significant portion of its revenue from international markets. The company is headquartered in Westbrook, Maine.

HomeRiver is a property management company that caters to both property owners and tenants. It offers a comprehensive range of services, including tenant screening, lease negotiation, rent collection, and maintenance and repairs. Additionally, HomeRiver provides owner and resident portals, monthly reporting, eviction services, and annual inspections. The company aims to maximize returns for property owners while minimizing risks and hassles associated with property management. With a commitment to integrity, transparency, and superior performance, HomeRiver ensures that clients receive professional support throughout the property management process.

New England Capital Partners is a private equity firm located in Newton, Massachusetts, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in acquiring and divesting lower middle market companies, focusing on sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, business services, and consumer products. It primarily targets private companies in the Northeast region of the United States, with a preference for those in New England. New England Capital Partners typically invests between $2 million and $5 million per transaction, with a maximum investment of $10 million, targeting companies with revenues ranging from $3 million to $30 million. The firm engages in transactions valued up to $30 million and seeks board representation in its portfolio companies.

F. L. Putnam Investment Management Company is a privately owned investment manager based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Portland, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Founded in 1983, the firm provides investment and portfolio management services to high-net-worth clients, families, foundations, religious organizations, endowments, unions, and other institutions. It manages tailored equity and fixed income portfolios, investing in public markets globally. The firm employs a combination of G.A.R.P. strategies for equity investments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies, while its fixed income investments focus on investment-grade rated securities with maturities of ten years or less. Additionally, F. L. Putnam emphasizes socially responsible investing and utilizes fundamental analysis, integrating both bottom-up and top-down approaches to inform its investment decisions.

Velocity Equity Partners is a Boston-based venture capital firm established in 2000, focusing on early-stage growth companies in the Northeast. The firm aims to create value by identifying and supporting exceptional entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and a strong commitment to building market-leading companies. Velocity invests primarily in sectors such as enterprise software, communications infrastructure, wireless applications, niche vertical software, silicon and hardware technology, and industrial products. Its partners collaborate closely with management teams to foster the development of premier companies by providing capital, strategic expertise, and access to essential networks. The firm was formed through the merger of two independent venture investment groups, bringing together over 40 years of combined experience in early-stage venture investing.

Longworth Venture Partners is a venture capital firm established in 1999 and located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and growth-stage investments, primarily targeting technology companies in the United States, particularly in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast regions. Longworth focuses on sectors such as information technology, digital media, software, business and consumer internet, mobile systems, and infrastructure. The firm's typical investment size ranges from $2 million to $3 million, with a preference for equity and debt investments between $0.1 million and $5 million. Longworth seeks to partner with companies that have the potential to achieve over $100 million in annual revenue and a maximum EBITDA of $3 million. In addition to providing capital, the firm often takes an active role in its portfolio companies, potentially including board representation and strategic advisory support.

Oxford Capital Group, LLC is a diversified national real estate investment, development, management and branding firm that focuses on large-scale acquisitions, developments, and redevelopments. Many of these investments benefit from the involvement of the company’s wholly owned hotel-operating affiliate, Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC.

TransAxle LLC is a remanufacturer and distributor focused on the medium and heavy-duty truck markets in the United States. The company specializes in a wide range of products, including transmissions, differentials, hydraulic pumps, steering gears, and brake systems. Its offerings encompass light duty transmissions, axles, hydraulics, powershift transmissions, torque converters, and various brake components such as shoes, drums, and calipers. TransAxle also provides essential services, including removal and reinstallation, application assistance, and troubleshooting. The company aims to minimize customer downtime by delivering truck components on a same-day or next-day basis. Founded in 1979 and based in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, TransAxle operates multiple locations across the eastern United States, including states like Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, among others. Its products serve diverse applications, ranging from tractors and buses to construction and agricultural equipment.

Maine Accelerates Growth, founded in 2015 and based in Brunswick, is an accelerator firm dedicated to fostering economic development through entrepreneurship. Part of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation's initiative, the organization aims to create jobs and stimulate economic activity across the state by implementing coordinated programs that support both established companies and emerging entrepreneurs. By collaborating with various partners, Maine Accelerates Growth seeks to enhance connections within the business community and cultivate the next generation of innovators, ultimately driving sustainable growth in Maine's economy.

Norwich Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2004, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Pennsylvania. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in the medtech sector, focusing on entrepreneurs who are developing innovative technologies to address significant unmet medical needs. Norwich Ventures provides initial capital during seed and early-stage funding rounds and maintains a long-term investment approach, supporting portfolio companies throughout their growth phases. The firm primarily targets biotechnology and healthcare companies across the United States, aiming to foster advancements in medical technology.

Jump Capital is a Chicago-based venture capital investment firm founded in 2012, focusing on expansion-stage companies. The firm specializes in technology sectors, including fintech, information technology, data infrastructure, business-to-business services, software-as-a-service, and media. With a strong emphasis on operational expertise, Jump Capital provides its portfolio companies with access to a robust ecosystem that includes a wide network of resources, leading research labs, and academic institutions. This support aims to advance innovations in areas such as data mining, machine learning, high-performance computing, and healthcare.

Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company that specializes in the distribution of electricity and natural gas across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. It operates through three segments: Utility Gas Operations, Utility Electric Operations, and Non-Regulated Services. The company provides electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, as well as in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts. Its natural gas distribution network serves southeastern New Hampshire, portions of southern and central Maine, and the greater Fitchburg area. Unitil also manages an interstate underground natural gas transmission pipeline, extending 86 miles, which facilitates gas access and transportation primarily in Maine and New Hampshire. Additionally, the company offers energy brokering and advisory services to commercial and industrial clients, along with real estate management services. Currently, Unitil serves approximately 106,100 electric customers and 83,900 natural gas customers. Founded in 1984, the company is headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Northeast Bank is a full-service financial institution headquartered in Portland, Maine, offering a range of personal and business banking services. The bank provides various deposit products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio consists of residential mortgages, commercial real estate loans, industrial loans, consumer loans, and Small Business Administration loans. Additionally, Northeast Bank facilitates banking through online and mobile platforms, offering services such as telephone banking, bill payment, cash management, and remote deposit capture. With a network of nine branches across Western, Central, and Southern Maine, Northeast Bank has been serving its community since its founding in 1872.

9Mile Labs is a Seattle-based startup accelerator and venture capital firm established in 2013. The organization specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on technology and business services companies across the United States. 9Mile Labs provides entrepreneurs with essential resources, including workspace, funding, and access to a network of experienced mentors and advisors, aimed at nurturing and transforming startup ideas into successful businesses. The firm manages an early-stage venture capital fund that targets investments in the B2B sector, emphasizing innovative business products and services.

Coppermine Capital, LLC is a private equity firm established in 2002 and headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, with additional offices in New York and Chesapeake. The firm specializes in acquiring control positions in small to mid-sized companies, primarily focusing on sectors such as healthcare services, business services, food and beverage, niche manufacturing, and the impact sector. It targets investments in the United States, with a preference for businesses located on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Coppermine Capital typically invests between $5 million and $75 million in companies that generate revenues of $3 million to $150 million, have an enterprise value ranging from $10 million to $150 million, and an EBITDA of $2 million to $15 million. The firm is particularly interested in companies with an EBITDA margin of 15 percent or more and engages in various investment strategies, including management buyouts, generational transfers, and corporate divestitures.

WEX Inc. specializes in providing corporate payment solutions across three main segments: Mobility, Benefits, and Corporate Payments. The Mobility segment is the largest and focuses on fleet vehicle payment solutions, transaction processing, and information management services tailored for commercial and government fleets. WEX has established a significant U.S. network, accepted at over 90 percent of retail fuel locations and more than 45,000 vehicle maintenance sites, catering to over 7.7 million vehicles. The Corporate Payments segment facilitates business-to-business payment processing and transaction monitoring, while the Benefits segment offers healthcare payment products and consumer-directed software solutions. With a strong emphasis on precise financial and information management, WEX aims to enhance control and security for its clients, making it a trusted partner in various business sectors globally.

Beacon Angels is a Boston-based angel group founded in 2006 that specializes in investing in early-stage and fast-growing companies in New England. The firm focuses on making investments ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, targeting businesses with high growth potential. Through its investment strategy, Beacon Angels aims to support and foster the development of small companies, contributing to the entrepreneurial landscape in the region.

Edison Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Princeton, New Jersey, founded in 1986. The firm specializes in growth equity investments primarily in technology-enabled companies across various sectors, including financial technology, healthcare information technology, and enterprise software. Edison focuses on late and mid-venture financing, expansion capital, management buyouts, and recapitalizations, typically investing between $10 million and $30 million in companies with revenues ranging from $2 million to $30 million. The firm's investment strategy involves nurturing growth-stage businesses with a 30 percent growth rate, often acting as a lead investor and seeking board representation. Edison has a robust portfolio valued at over $5 billion and manages more than $1 billion in assets, primarily targeting companies located in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States. Through its Edison Edge platform, the firm offers strategic advisory services and executive education to enhance value creation for its portfolio companies.

Anvil Capital is a private equity firm that focuses on investing in generational transitions of family businesses, recapitalizations, management buyouts, industry consolidations, and corporate divestitures of non-core divisions, specifically within mature micro and middle market companies. The firm does not engage in turnaround or early-stage investments and avoids high technology, real estate, and healthcare sectors. Anvil Capital primarily targets the manufacturing and service sectors, with particular interest in business services, commercial printing, engineered components, medical devices, niche manufacturing, and test and measurement devices. The firm typically invests in companies with revenues between $5 million and $20 million, EBITDA ranging from $1 million to $3 million, and an operating profit margin of at least 15 percent. Anvil Capital prefers to invest in companies located in the Northeast, New England, and Mid Atlantic regions of the United States. Founded in 2001 and based in White Plains, New York, the firm operates on a deal-by-deal basis.

Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V., founded in 1945 and headquartered in Mexico City, is a leading international manufacturer of bakery products. The company produces a wide range of items, including fresh and frozen sliced bread, buns, rolls, cookies, snack cakes, pastries, tortillas, and confectionery products. Grupo Bimbo markets its products under approximately 100 brands, including Bimbo, Marinela, Oroweat, Sara Lee, and Thomas. With operations in 32 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the company has established a robust distribution network that supplies products to various channels, such as supermarkets and convenience stores. Its manufacturing facilities are strategically located in multiple countries, enabling efficient production and distribution of its extensive product lines.

DWS is a prominent investment management firm based in Germany, founded in 1975. It offers a wide range of investment products and services to both institutional and private investors. With approximately EUR 704 billion in assets under management, DWS provides a diverse portfolio that includes active fixed income, multi-asset, equity, alternatives, and cash investments. The firm also specializes in real estate and direct lending funds. Although DWS was fully owned by Deutsche Bank until 2018, the bank retains a significant stake. The firm's German market is crucial, accounting for about 40% of its assets, while the broader EMEA region contributes to 70%. Institutional clients represent 55% of DWS's overall assets under management, highlighting the firm's strong focus on serving this segment.

DVSM, LLC, founded in 1991 and based in Portland, Oregon, is a private equity firm that specializes in investments in lower mid-market companies across the Western United States. The firm manages over $925 million in equity capital and focuses its investments in various sectors, including business services, food and consumer, healthcare, niche manufacturing, industrials, specialty retail, and transportation and logistics. As a Registered Investment Adviser, DVSM, LLC seeks to collaborate closely with the management teams of the companies it invests in, aiming to foster growth and enhance operational efficiency.

UMaine is a top 100 national public research university, located 10 miles from the state's second largest city (Bangor), a 4 hour drive from Boston, and a 1 hour flight from New York City. It serves as the flagship university of the University of Maine System. Nationally ranked and recognized by US News & World Report, Forbes Magazine and The Princeton Review. Visit us at go.umaine.edu/apply today!

Plastic Industries is a manufacturer of blow-molded, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, catering to various sectors including dairy, water, food, industrial, nutraceutical, automotive, healthcare, specialty chemicals, and personal care. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, the company produces a diverse array of containers in both large and small formats, including gallon, half-gallon, quart, and single-serve sizes. It also offers custom-design services tailored to meet specific client needs. Plastic Industries operates six manufacturing facilities across the United States, located in Poland Spring, Maine; Reading, Pennsylvania; Newark, Delaware; Hebron, Kentucky; Fresno, California; and Corona, California.

North Atlantic Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Portland, Maine, founded in 1986. The firm focuses on providing growth capital to innovative technology companies across the United States, primarily targeting businesses with revenues between $3 million and $50 million. North Atlantic Capital specializes in seed and early-stage investments, as well as later-stage growth capital, mezzanine financing, and acquisition financing. The firm prefers to invest in sectors such as software as a service, information technology, telecommunications, medical devices, and business-to-business services. Typically, it invests between $1 million and $10 million and often takes a majority stake in its portfolio companies, offering more patient long-term capital and structured debt options compared to traditional venture debt. North Atlantic Capital aims to support companies that demonstrate significant growth potential in a variety of technology-enabled industries.

Capital A Partners, founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, is a venture capital and private equity firm that focuses on early-stage investments. The firm specializes in providing growth capital, acceleration equity, and debt funding to post-revenue ventures and small, profitable companies. Its investment interests span various sectors, including life sciences, consumer goods, healthcare, manufacturing, business services, technology, materials technologies, and cleantech. Capital A Partners primarily targets opportunities in the southeastern and East Coast regions of the United States, as well as in Latin America and Nordic countries. The firm has established a presence in multiple locations, including Charleston, South Carolina; Silicon Valley, California; Stockholm, Sweden; and Berlin, Germany. In 2016, Capital A Partners merged with Butterfly Ventures, enhancing its investment capabilities and reach.

Bosch is a global supplier of technology and services, established in 1886 and headquartered in Germany. The company operates through four main business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. Bosch develops a wide range of solutions, including those for electronics systems in vehicles, industrial applications, and smart home technologies. Its offerings encompass powertrain and battery management, vehicle dynamics, infotainment systems, and functional safety services. The company employs approximately 390,000 associates worldwide and emphasizes innovative solutions that enhance quality of life and promote sustainability. With a strong focus on research and development, Bosch operates at 120 locations globally, employing around 59,000 people in this area. The company's strategic goal is to create connected solutions that improve everyday life, leveraging its expertise in sensor technology and IoT capabilities to deliver integrated services.

Dace Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Lexington, Massachusetts, founded in 2006. The firm focuses on investing in internet-related innovations, specifically targeting companies in the technology sector that operate within digital media, consumer marketing, and mobile services. Dace Ventures aims to support and foster growth in emerging businesses across the United States.

RTP Global is a New York-based venture capital firm that was established in 2011, specializing in early-stage investments in technology-driven companies across various sectors. The firm focuses on businesses that develop practical solutions for challenges in financial services and healthcare, leveraging IT and IoT technologies. RTP Global primarily invests in companies that deliver B2B products, often through Software as a Service (SaaS) models, and prefers those located near their customers rather than in traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. The firm’s investment strategy extends beyond the United States, targeting markets in Europe, Southeast Asia, and India, with a portfolio that includes a diverse range of sectors such as information technology, financial services, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

Bay Partners is a venture capital firm located in Menlo Park, California, established in 1976 by John Freidenrich. The firm specializes in early-stage investments primarily in technology-related companies across the United States. Over its history, Bay Partners has invested in more than 200 businesses, focusing on various sectors including information technology and healthcare, as well as consumer services, semiconductors, e-commerce, mobile applications, manufacturing, security, financial services, big data, logistics, biotechnology, advertising, therapeutics, communications, software, energy, and hardware.

The Venture Capital Fund of New England, established in 1981 and based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, focuses on early-stage and emerging growth investments primarily within the technology sector. The firm targets companies in industrial, information technology, and direct marketing, with a geographical concentration in the New England region, although it may consider opportunities outside the Northeastern United States on occasion. Investment amounts typically range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, with the potential for total investments in portfolio companies to exceed $3 million. The firm often collaborates with other investors to enhance its investment strategy.