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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P "So we know it works and the projects under it work," says Arnold. Bridging a gap e program offers four core projects. e goal is to advance and modernize New England's ocean-minded indus- tries through education and community engagement, bridge the gap between capacity and need and assist in the cre- ation and deployment of sustainable and innovative enterprises. Inclusion in the Blue Economy: For entrepreneurs from demo- graphics traditionally underrepre- sented in the marine space The Hatchery: For pre-revenue founders, entrepreneurs and early- stage startups; provides resources, mentorship and guidance Soft Landing: Support and resources for international startups looking to establish a presence in the North American market via Maine as a gateway Entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy: Event series with net- working, workshops and panel discussion How it works Hatchery staff supported the launch of GrantX — a tech startup using AI tools to help organizations discover and manage grant funding — and helped shape GrantX's messaging, logistics and early marketing. Most recently emerging from the Inclusion in the Blue Economy program was Seafood Mama which, in just a few months, developed a brand, launched three seafood-based products and built an initial vendor network and website. Soft Landing supported the estab- lishment of a joint U.S. sales headquar- ters in Maine, at the Hús in Portland, by two Australian firms: Oceanfarmr makes aquaculture farm management software and SEAPA makes shellfish farming infrastructure. e expansion to Maine is expected to amplify their collective commercial capacity and to support digital and physical infrastruc- ture for scalable, innovative aquaculture solutions capable of serving producers across North America. Expansion Now the partnership with USM is allowing the model to expand to include all industries. "We expect to expand capacity," says Arnold. "Part of the partnership is to leverage the resources the University of Southern Maine already has — labs, faculty, business support activities. With the office of commercialization, we'll be increasing the level of support those entities provide to businesses and increase the level of awareness busi- nesses have of those assets." To prepare for the launch of the partnership with the start of the school's semester this fall, Arnold has been working with USM departments to understand what's already in place and to custom-fit commercialization prac- tices and procedures accordingly. Several companies already engaged in Blue Economy programs will carry over to the fall semester as the part- nership gets underway. e partnership is expected to deepen USM's existing career and employment resources and to reach potential entre- preneurs in any industry. "Our goal is to power entrepre- neurs, whether they're students, fac- ulty, staff or the broader community," says Edmondson. Arnold notes the partnership builds on USM's standing in workforce development: 86% of USM graduates stay in Maine. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » For the life you choose. 1.888.725.2207 norwaysavings.bank/lets-talk M E M B E R F D I C Business banking that starts with you. At Norway Savings Bank, business banking is more than lending and deposits. It transcends the transaction, becoming truly engaged in your business and success. Whether it's in the form of a loan or line of credit, programs that help you manage payment processing and cybersecurity, or just being there to listen and help answer questions—if it's important to you, it's important to us. Daniel Willis, President AV Technik Scarborough, Maine Dana Myles, Regional VP and Commercial Lender Norway Savings Bank Fishing plus T he Rockland nonprofit Island Institute and the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs launched the Fishing Plus Accelerator for people in fishing, lobstering, aquaculture or coastal- related businesses, providing fisher- men, crew members and their families with tools, resources and programs to help them diversify household income, strengthen their businesses and pass along skills to the next generation of marine entrepreneurs. "Our focus is to help turn ideas into viable businesses that increase profits for fishing families, bolster community resilience and keep families fishing for many generations to come," says Jeff Frank, Island Institute's senior community devel- opment officer. The free program will discuss finance, budgeting, per- mits, business structure, finding customers, building a brand, access- ing capital and pitching to lenders or investors.

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