Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 2 5 16 S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P artnerships, collaborations and facilities are popping up to support startups and entrepreneurs in fields rang- ing from life sciences to food produc- tion to marine biotechnology. Public-private partnership Marine biotechnology, aquaculture and consumer goods are the focal points of an initiative between the University of Southern Maine and the New England Ocean Cluster. e two Portland entities launched a public-private partnership focused on commercialization and applied research. "Commercialization is not just about startups or patents — it's about translating ideas into impact," says Patrick Arnold, New England Ocean Cluster's founder and USM's director of commercialization. e two entities are co-branding the programs as "Transforming the Blue Economy." e formal relationship builds on a decade of collaboration. "is is part of our vision for USM to be a critical asset to the regional economy, to connect our faculty and students to meaningful work and to ensure innova- tion thrives across every discipline," says Jacqueline Edmondson, USM's president. New England Ocean Cluster is a member-based, marine-focused consul- tancy, business incubator and accelerator. Applied research Amid uncertain federal research fund- ing, the partnership is designed to support applied research, giving local businesses a competitive edge, creating commercialization pathways for faculty and student ventures and generat- ing value-added products and services based on Maine's natural resources e partnership is expected to equip entrepreneurs, students and faculty with resources, networks and guidance to bring ideas to market. Under the partnership, Arnold and Chris Cary, both with New England Ocean Cluster, joined USM to build out the university's office of commer- cialization. ey will retain their leader- ship roles at the former, where Arnold is CEO and Cary is chief operating and marketing officer. New England Ocean Cluster has been piloting the Blue Economy program for four years. During that time, over 60 entrepreneurs have taken part. F O C U S Patrick Arnold of New England Ocean Cluster and Jacqueline Edmondson of the University of Southern Maine at the McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success on the Portland campus. Both say the business incubator "Transforming the Blue Economy" builds on a decade of collaboration. This is part of our vision for USM to be a critical asset to the regional economy, to connect our faculty and students to meaningful work and to ensure innovation thrives across every discipline. — Jacqueline Edmondson University of Southern Maine More startup incubators START UP B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Public and private organizations are sharing labs and resources to stoke entrepreneurs

• Cover