Scale your growth with Maine's best accelerators & incubators
Discover the Behind The Scenes of how everyday start-ups grow into unicorns.
Choosing The Right Accelerator
Start-ups are hard. Choose an accelerator that guides you in the right direction.
"I doubt that Stripe would have worked without YC. It's that simple."
Patrick Collison, Founder, Stripe
"Accelerators claim they are in it for the long haul — I call bullshit"
Chris Lynch, Founder, Atlas Venture
"The network we built with Techstars was incredibly valuable during and after the program."
Raj Aggarwal, Founder, Localytics
What truly matters
Do they know why they succeeded in the past?
Strategic depth in their thinking
Mentor quality over quantity
Do they really value your time?
Discover your perfect match
No accelerator or incubator is perfect for every start-up. Your business’s context and constraints matter. Identify your perfect match by answering this short questionnaire.
Maine's Top Accelerators By Neighborhoods
Comparing Accelerators
This page covers the top accelerators and incubators in Maine.
However if geography isn’t a hard constraint, and you are only looking for the best incubators and accelerators across the US, check here.
Brief Overview Of Different Accelerators
1) Maine Technology Institute
The Maine Technology Institute is pivotal in bolstering Maine's innovation economy through a diverse range of funding and support mechanisms. Established in 1999, it has invested over $365 million in nearly 3,800 distinct projects across all 16 counties in the state. Its programs include grants, loans, and equity investments designed to benefit businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs. Support is provided for various accelerator programs, such as the Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) initiative that aims to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs, the Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator focusing on ocean-related artificial intelligence startups, and the Scratchpad Accelerator, a 13-week program in Bangor catering to scalable startups. Specialization extends to industries including agriculture technology, artificial intelligence, biotech, clean energy, edtech, and general technology. In addition to funding, critical guidance is provided for SBIR/STTR federal funding applications, consulting, and technical assistance through the MERC Program. Access to a broad range of funding opportunities is facilitated via the Maine Funding Network. The organization plays a significant role in fostering innovation and economic growth while promoting collaboration within Maine's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
2) Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development
A private non-profit organization established in 1997, it is dedicated to empowering Maine's most promising entrepreneurs through innovation and accelerated growth. The institution offers several specialized accelerator programs tailored to various industries. The flagship Top Gun Program is a selective entrepreneurship acceleration initiative designed to help entrepreneurs expedite their business development. Additionally, two food accelerator programs are run: the Cultivator, which supports food and beverage enterprises, and MarketShare Accel, aimed at enabling these companies to access new markets. Furthermore, the BioStartup Program focuses on biotech, digital health, life sciences, and medical device ventures, while the Visionary Leadership Program aids the development of emerging business leaders. The Compass Program caters to entrepreneurs in Maine's outdoor industry, and FoodTech Maine targets innovation in food technology solutions. Efforts are reinforced by a team of seasoned staff, volunteers, mentors, and board members dedicated to nurturing ambitious companies throughout the region. By offering comprehensive support across various sectors, it positions itself as a vital resource for entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey.
3) Maine Center for Enterpreneurial Development
A private non-profit organization established in 1997, it is dedicated to empowering Maines most promising entrepreneurs. It houses several key programs including the Top Gun Program, which has been accelerating startup and early-stage businesses since 2009, and the Cultivator Food, Beverage & Agriculture Accelerator, aimed at scaling established companies in these sectors. The organization also offers the MarketShare Accel program specifically for Maines food and beverage companies, along with the BioStartup Program, which supports biotech, digital health, life sciences, and medical device startups. Additionally, the Compass Program caters to the outdoor industry, while the FoodTech Maine initiative focuses on innovation within food technology. Emphasizing mentoring, training, and networking connections for entrepreneurs reinforces its commitment to local business support and inclusivity. The Visionary Leadership Program aids emerging business leaders in navigating the challenges of growth. By fostering collaboration and providing essential resources, it plays a pivotal role in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem within Maine.
4) Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center
Established in 1988 by the Maine Legislature, this institution focuses on developing economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture opportunities in Maine. Its mission encompasses sponsoring innovative research and development projects related to food, pharmaceuticals, and products from sustainable aquatic systems. The organization actively engages in various projects, including pioneering GIS for shellfish site selection, developing low-cost environmental data buoys, and conducting market research on seaweed products. It also investigates sea scallop culture and commercialization, as well as creating rapid detection methods for oyster MSX disease. Two business incubators are operated under its guidance: the Darling Marine Center, which provides advanced tank space for startups, and the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, in collaboration with the University of Maine. These facilities offer essential business development services aimed at fostering innovation within the aquaculture sector. In its commitment to training and education, partnerships with initiatives like the Aquaculture in Shared Waters Project have been formed, along with the development of an electronic aquaculture curriculum. The organization also hosts the Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition biennially since 1998. By supporting research, education, and entrepreneurship, it is a vital contributor to the growth of Maine's aquaculture industry.
5) E2Tech
E2Tech serves as a catalyst for growth in Maine's environmental, energy, and clean technology sectors. Dedicated to building and expanding these industries, the organization facilitates vital networking opportunities and acts as a clearinghouse for objective information. The accelerator focuses on promoting innovation and collaboration within clean energy, environmental tech, and renewable energy domains. Funded by the Maine Technology Institute, it plays a key role in enhancing the local startup ecosystem. Through its efforts, valuable benefits are created for participants by fostering connections and providing crucial information that drives sector advancement.
6) MAN Impact Accelerator
This innovative initiative is tailored to scale social ventures in the transport and logistics sectors, significantly impacting society. Spanning 8 months, the program navigates through 4 key cities: Munich, São Paulo, Lisbon, and Johannesburg. It unites social entrepreneurs from Europe, Brazil, and Africa to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges within these industries. Running from November 2019 to June 2020, the focus is on transport, logistics, and mobility. Participants benefit from access to a vast network of over 300 mentors from reputable organizations, including MAN Truck & Bus, Amazon, Google, and Uber, fostering strong connections with impact investors and industry leaders. Selection is geared towards social businesses with a solid logistics, transport, or mobility foundation, emphasizing the importance of establishing both tangible and measurable impacts alongside financial returns. The program encourages diverse expertise, promoting teams with varied skill sets and industry experience. Key areas of interest also include IoT, drones, data analytics, and digital health, among others, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs dedicated to driving positive change in their communities.
Top Reasons Start-ups Participate In Accelerators
Critical Industry connections
A good connection at an FMCG/AI giant can help you 10x more than connecting with 100 retailers.
Business management skills
Reaching the top is relatively easy. Staying there for years is difficult.
Accelerator brand power
Like Ivy-League credentials, your start-up’s story benefits from an accelerators’ brand.
Learning about market forces
The market seems fair from a distance. But there are certain patterns to how it operates.
Why an accelerator might not be right for you
It's usually helpful to consider potential pitfalls. Some common misconceptions
What's the real value of your equity
There's a math behind how accelerators decide whether your start-up is worth investing. Did you run the calculation for diluting your equity?
Rome wasn't built in 12-16 weeks
Every business needs a strong foundation, but while some businesses can figure the basics in 3 months, others need > 1 year.
One-size fits all model
Most accelerators don't focus on a specific niche, which may not be very helpful if you are looking for domain expertise.
FAQs About Start-up Accelerators
Author Bio
Michael Li
For the last 10+ years Michael has helped start-ups of all scales and sizes succeed. A 2X entrepreneur, he is now working on Aerial to help founders avoid costly mistakes. He regularly writes for publications like the Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Harvard Business Review and others.
Last updated date 4/5/2024
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Accelerators and Incubators in maine
Looking for the best accelerators in Maine? Here are some top reasons to choose an accelerator in the state. Accelerators provide invaluable resources and mentorship to help your start-up grow and succeed. They also offer networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and investors, helping you to build a strong support system for your business. The start-up culture in Maine is vibrant and supportive, with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration. Choosing the right accelerator can make all the difference in the success of your start-up. When considering which accelerator to join, some key factors to consider include the industry focus of the accelerator, the level of mentorship and support offered, and the success stories of previous start-ups that have gone through the program. For those looking for inspiration, here are a few notable start-ups from Maine that have succeeded well. These include companies such as Wex, a financial technology company that has experienced significant growth and success. Another success story is Certify, a leading provider of expense management software. These companies serve as examples of the thriving start-up ecosystem in Maine and the potential for success that accelerators in the state can offer. Keep these factors in mind as you explore the best accelerators in Maine and find the perfect fit for your start-up.
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