Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1160846
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P M aine Standard Biofuels is a Portland firm that collects used cooking oil from and food manufacturers across New England and converts it into sustainable energy like biodiesel for Casco Bay Ferries. It also turns biorefinery production waste into green cleaning products. Seeking to land more clients in Maine and well beyond, it recently joined the New England Ocean Cluster to help it make the right connections. "Our immediate goal is to work more closely with the working water- front of Portland, and the marine industry in the entire state of Maine for that matter," says business development director Rodger Strickland. "Longer term, North Atlantic markets in the marine, industrial and general commer- cial sectors are our goal in working with the NEOC." Part management consultancy, part business incubator and accelerator, the NEOC is a private-sector, member- based entity that aims to connect people within the blue economy. Concretely, that means giving clients access to a global network of industry leaders and subject matter experts, offering strategic Making waves 'blue economy' Marine-focused consultancy opens doors for members B y R e n e e C o R d e s F O C U S C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E ยป OPENING DOORS FOR STARTUPS in the 23 S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 9 Patrick Arnold, left, co-founder and CEO of the New England Ocean Cluster, and marketing and communications manager Chris Cary have big plans for incubating ocean economy-focused startups. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY New England Ocean Cluster 460 Commercial St., Portland 207.807.5346 www.newenglandoceancluster.com Description: Marine-focused business accelerator and incubator Majority owner and managing partner: Soli DG Inc. What's next: Planning of an Ocean Cluster House in Portland