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V O L . X X I X N O. V § 2 M A R C H 6 , 2 0 2 3 4 F RO M T H E S P O N S O R S A ccording to a report in Business News Daily, Maine offers sensi- ble, straightforward regulations, ready access to capital, and strong commu- nity support, making it an ideal loca- tion to start a business. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs and emerging businesses face an array of challenges before they can open their doors, make their first sale, or hire their first employee. With more than 99% of the state's private workforce comprised of small businesses, it's clear that supporting start- ups and emerging businesses is good for Maine's economy and its future. at's why Pierce Atwood provides cost- efficient guidance, counseling, and legal services covering the essential steps in establishing and growing a new business and preparing early-stage businesses for the journey ahead. In addition to our Catalyst pro- gram, in which we offer innovative and flexible fee arrangements while providing essential advice and counsel in disciplines critical to any startup, we also support organizations that provide services and opportunities to Maine's startup community: As a strategic partner of Northeast- ern University's Roux Institute, our intellectual property, corporate, tech- nology transactions, and employment attorneys provide pro bono legal ser- vices to their startup programs. We also meet weekly with Roux's legal fellow, a recent Northeastern Law School graduate, to provide both feed- back and general guidance on any cur- rent or outstanding areas of concern. e Roux Institute offers graduate education and research capabilities in areas such as AI, computer and data sciences, digital engineering, advanced life sciences, and medicine. eir goal is to help spur innovation, build talent, and drive economic growth in Portland, the state of Maine, and the Northeast. For many years Pierce Atwood sponsored Startup Maine, a confer- ence that brought together innovative startups and entrepreneurs for learning opportunities and creative collabora- tions. We are now pleased to support this community by hosting formal and informal opportunities for innova- tors to exchange ideas and knowledge. As an annual sponsor for Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, we sup- port their mission to build and lead a community of growth-oriented Maine businesses. MCE has helped accelerate the growth of hundreds of businesses and now has a network of more than 200 mentors. Firm partner Andrea Suter, who regularly advises startups, family-owned, and early-stage com- panies, is MCE's current board chair. Pierce Atwood partner Chris Howard takes the lead in our long- time support of the New England Ocean Cluster and their mission to "Transform the Blue Economy," where members work together to advance and modernize ocean-related indus- tries that help grow Maine's economy in ways that are both inclusive and environmentally sound. Startups and entrepreneurs bring innovation, adaptability, and creativity to Maine's business community. We're proud to support their efforts and help contribute to their success as they intro- duce new technologies, new ideas, and new opportunities to the market. — David E. Barry Managing Partner Pierce Atwood T he Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is proud to sponsor the 2023 Mainebiz Startup Hub publica- tion. is publication is full of help- ful information about the organiza- tions and resources that are available to nurture and support entrepreneurs as they develop new products and ser- vices, encounter and surmount chal- lenges, create and retain jobs, and grow and scale their operations. MTI is Maine's unique public- private partnership that helps cata- lyze innovation. We offer early-stage capital and commercialization assis- tance in the form of grants, loans, and equity investments, as well as entre- preneurial guidance and mentorship, to achieve our core mission. In addition to investments made directly into private companies, research organizations and educa- tional entities, MTI also works to ensure that a complementary sys- tem of supports exists for entre- preneurs and businesses to make certain that they have access to the assistance they need to succeed. We do this by promoting entrepreneur- ship and interest in science, tech- nology, engineering, and mathe- matics by supporting things like the Maine Center for Entrepreneur's Top Gun business accelerator pro- gram, the Big Gig pitch competi- tion in Bangor, Greenlight Maine, Entrepreneurship for All (com- ing soon), ProsperityME, Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, the Maine Science Festival, UMaine's Student Symposium, and Startup Maine, to name just a few. We also recently expanded our programming at MTI by launching the Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps. is program helps match Maine start-ups with reliable, afford- able consultants who will assist in developing short-term projects to address specific skill shortcomings. MTI is committed to paying 50% of approved projects, making it a win- win for the entrepreneur and the resource provider. More information can be found here: www.mainetechnology.org/ mti-funding/merc. Finally, our statute requires that we help eligible Maine individuals and companies interested in attract- ing a piece of the $3.7 billion that the federal government doles out annually in research and develop- ment funding. MTI provides free technical assistance and guidance to Mainers to help them develop competitive applications. We hope you enjoy the 2023 Mainebiz Startup Hub magazine. If MTI can ever be of assistance, please call us at 582-4790 or via our web- site at www.mainetechnology.org. — Brian Whitney President, Maine Technology Institute Investing in Maine's future by supporting Maine startups MTI helping catalyze innovation in Maine