Programs that help accelerate growth:
Maine Manufacturer Acceleration Program - helps improve products, reduce costs and get products to market faster.
Strategic Assessment and Technology Roadmapping - helps businesses define their ability to successfully integrate new and innovative technologies, identify appropriate solutions, assist with technology transfer and develop product commercialization strategies;
Ideas for Growth program - helps to find measurably smarter choices for growth.
The Scratchpad Accelerator is a seed accelerator that helps startups explore, pivot, and grow their companies, FAST.
ScaleUp provides structured discussions, one-on-one business support, and networking opportunities to aid growing businesses in their efforts to effectively scale up. The program is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Top Gun is a five-month program that combines mentoring with high-impact weekly gatherings.
Companies that are selected to participate in this program are able to get the help they need to accelerate projects and grow their business.
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program was created to fill a distinct gap in resources for entrepreneurs looking to grow or start a business. It allows businesses to consult with an entrepreneur that has the industry or area-specific knowledge needed to help address a specific need, challenge or question.
Support the business development needs of early stage companies in a shared workspace. TechPlace will give entrepreneurs a place to network with others, research and develop ideas, build prototypes, test products, assemble, grow, and become successful manufacturing and technology companies.
4-month programs: mentorship, office space, education, network & community, and other resources.
Creates a new model for entrepreneurs looking to grow their business beyond seed financing. Based in Boston, it works closely with select companies and mentor them to refine their business model, obtain access to capital and tap into a peer network for ongoing support.
Maine's community college system offers affordable customized training and continuing education that gives businesses and employees the skills they need to compete. Maine Quality Centers provides grants to help cover costs of customized training; Put ME to Work program offers $500,000 in new grant funding to create & enhance training programs across Maine. It covers 50% of the costs to create new training programs or enhance existing ones at Maine’s community colleges.
Business service representatives provides information on no-cost employee training options, applicant assessment and recruitment services. They working with partner agencies, can assess your workforce training needs and provide eligible employers with workforce development services free of charge.
Maine Technology Institute works with entrepreneurs, innovators, established businesses and institutions conducting research and development to Fund, Connect and Grow, providing connections to resources that will help them commercialize their technologies.
Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development helps entrepreneurs re-invent the Maine economy by providing them with resources to build innovative world-class companies.
Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maine MEP) provides the Maine Manufacturer Acceleration Program, a business development program designed to generate innovative growth through collaboration.
Growing your Business (SBA)
SCORE Webinars on Growing your business by:
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Planning
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Marketing |
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Boosting Sales |
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Building Partnership |
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Finding Capital |
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Managing Human Resources
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Incorporating Technology |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal agency that aims to help small businesses succeed. It offers courses, workshops, publications, information and other programs designed to help start or expand your business. Maine District Office of the SBA can provide you more guidance in access to capital, counseling and government contracting.
The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) should be a first stop on your journey to self-employment. This partnership program with the State of Maine, the SBA and the University of Southern Maine provides one-on-one counseling to existing and startup entrepreneurs on such topics as cash flow and marketing. They also offer an interactive on-line business start-up course.
SCORE is a network of entrepreneurs, business lenders and executives, who volunteer as mentors to the small business community providing assistance to help entrepreneurs start businesses, grow companies and create jobs in local communities. It offer workshops and mentor programs. SCORE Maine offers some local resources; SCORE Bangor, Augusta, Auburn, Ellsworth, Portland, and Oxford Hills offer local workshops and mentoring services.
The Women’s Business Development Center provides business training, coaching and mentoring and other assistance geared toward women.
Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
fogler.mbstl@maine.edu
Reference Desk: 207-581-1673