MaineBusiness.com

Contact: Joe Migliaccio
Maine Technology Institute
(207) 582-4790, x204
jmigliaccio@mainetechnology.org

GARDINER, Maine – The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) board of directors recently approved 10 Seed Grants for companies to develop products that will advance Maine's innovation economy in the environmental, composite materials and information technology sectors. These awards, totaling $111,739 support research and development in projects ranging from safer footwear to cleaner burning, high-efficiency wood pellet boilers.

“This round of awards helps to fund three technology sectors that are poised for significant growth in the coming months," noted Joe Migliaccio, MTI's manager of business innovation programs. "These grants, matched by $170,020 in private funds, are an investment in these cutting-edge Maine companies and in Maine's innovation economy."

Seed Grants of up to $12,500 are offered on a competitive basis six times per year to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning. The awards require a 1:1 match of funds, staff time, equipment or other resources. A company can be awarded up to a total of $25,000 in Seed Grants for a specific technology.

Companies funded by MTI bring new products and services to the U.S. and global markets and are creating higher paying jobs than the average Maine company. According to a recent independent evaluation of MTI programs, every $1 awarded by MTI leverages more than $14 in public and private funds for the innovation economy in Maine.

The next deadline for Seed Grants is December 10, 2009 by 5:00 p.m.

MTI is presenting workshops for Seed Grants and Development Awards on December 1 and 2 in Orono and Westbrook. MTI Program Specialists will take attendees through the application writing process to obtain investments up to $500,000. Attendees will learn what it takes to successfully assemble competitive Seed Grant and Development Award applications and acquire tips that will allow an applicant to make their application clear, focused, complete and compelling.

For more information or to register, click here. Visit www.mainetechnology.org for more information about this and other MTI programs.

MTI Seed Grant Awardees by Technology Sector

Environmental Technology Sector

Use of PDM Software in Energy Management Systems
iSagacity – Portland
This project will complete proof of concept testing for the application of iSagacity’s Process Data Mining software in the application of managing energy in commercial building. PDM is an advanced data analysis platform for knowledge management and equipment monitoring, and can be used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications.
Award: $12,500 Match: $14,695

High-Efficiency, Low Cost Pellet Boiler Design
New England Pellet Burner, LLC - Bass Harbor
This project will develop, test and document for volume manufacturing a prototype of a clean burning, high-efficiency, affordable pellet boiler based on proven European engineering to be used with a wood pellet burner. The boiler will meet the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specifications.
Award: $12,425 Match: $22,685

Development of Refrigeration System with Low Global Warming Potential
Refrigeration Technologies – Gorham
Refrigeration Technologies has initiated the development of a low temperature supermarket refrigeration system with low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Thermodynamic analysis has been completed which supports the performance of this system. Refrigeration Technologies now plans to construct and test a prototype system and is requesting financial support from MTI for this task.
Award: $12,500 Match: $16,660

Organic Alchemy Composting Process Design & Test
Organic Alchemy Composting, LLC – Portland
Organic Alchemy Composting, LLC delivers a solid waste management solution for commercial organic waste from southern Maine hospitality and institutional establishments. The Seed Grant will support the development of a process that transforms organic wastes to high-quality compost.
Award: $6,620 Match: $7,651


Composite Materials Technology Sector

Carbon Fibre Harness Racing Sulky
Argus Bicycle - Van Buren
Argus Company of Van Buren will build a carbon fibre harness racing sulky utilizing a newly patented, miniaturized race car steering and handling system. The sulky will weigh 25 pounds less than present sulkies, thus highly marketable.
Award: $12,500 Match: $22,250

Development of Composite Safety Shoe Component
Falcon Performance Footwear – Lewiston
Falcon is seeking to develop a composite safety toe cap that can be cost effectively manufactured in Maine and exceed all applicable safety shoe standards for foot protection. This component would replace the current composite toe cap purchased from a Chinese supplier, who is currently the only manufacturer world-wide.
Award: $6,495 Match: $6,830

Information Technology Sector

Portable Electronic Checklist
MTK Group LLC - Gorham
MTK Group is developing an electronic checklist for small utilities. The device will function with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) control systems providing real-time process information. Individual worker training, reporting requirements and compliance with procedures will be tracked in real-time, verified and documented. The Seed Grant will support ongoing prototype development and testing.
Award: $12,500 Match: $25,835

Network to Connect Music Artists and Fans
Local Interactive Strategies LLC - Cumberland Foreside
Local Interactive Strategies is developing proprietary software to enable emerging and established musical artists to build connections with and among fans of their live performances. Building on completed market research, the Seed Grant will support a proof-of-concept prototype of the system, for presentation to investors.
Award: $11,200 Match: $18,600

GeoCalc Java
Blue Marble Geographics – Gardiner
Blue Marble Geographics will develop a beta version of their coordinate conversion developer tool; GeoCalc for the Java platform. Through this project Blue Marble will address market needs for advanced coordinate conversion technology for GIS mobile devices.
Award: $12,500 Match: $22,269

Commercializing Renewable Energy Geographic Information System (GIS) Data Systems
University of Maine – Orono
UMaine and the James W. Sewall Company, located in Old Town, seek technology transfer funds to research and develop commercialization strategies for the UMaine Offshore Wind Energy GIS (OWEGIS) environmental data management system and integrated mapping tool. OWEGIS addresses current challenges in renewable energy development by streamlining mapping and integration of resource analyses, site selection, and risk assessment.
Award: $12,499 Match: $12,545


About MTI
MTI is a publicly financed, private, nonprofit organization created by the Legislature in 1999 to stimulate research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products, processes and services in the state's seven technology-intensive sectors. Programs are designed to enhance the competitive position of those sectors and increase the likelihood that one or more of the sectors will support clusters of industrial activity and create quality jobs across Maine. More about MTI at: www.mainetechnology.org.


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