BRUNSWICK

The Maine Technology Institute approved five new grant applications in May, totaling $21,303 in awards to entrepreneurs from across Maine to advance new product and process development in aquaculture and marine technology, precision manufacturing, environmental technologies and information technology.

This round of MTI awards leveraged $27,876 of matching contributions from the award recipients.

Awards from this round included:

• Three TechStart grants totaling $11,503

• Two Phase 0 KickStarters totaling $9,810

TechStart grants:

• Casco Bay Butter Company of Scarborough, award amount $1,503; match amount $1,503

• Colby College of Waterville, award amount $5,000; match amount $11,463

• ImageWorks of Portland, award amount $5,000; match amount $5,100

TechStart grants are available to entrepreneurs and companies across Maine who are seeking to develop their inventive ideas into new, innovative products or services. The next application deadline for MTI’s TechStart grant program is July 7.

Phase 0 KickStarter grants:

• Delta Dewatering of South Portland, award amount $4,800; match amount $4,800

• Montalvo Corporation of Gorham, award amount $5,000; match amount $5,010

The Phase 0 KickStarter is a funding opportunity offered to individuals and companies seeking to submit SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals to one of the 11 federal agencies participating in the program. Phase 0 KickStarter applications are accepted on a rolling basis and at least 30 days in advance of solicitation due date.

Earlier MTI awards

MTI approved three new awards, totaling $658,765, from its Cluster Initiative Program for collaborative projects that boost Maine’s high-potential technology-intensive clusters. This round of CIP awards leveraged $895,229 in matching contributions from private donations.

Also, MTI approved two new TechStart grant applications totaling $5,900 in awards, which leveraged $5,900 in matching contributions from the award recipients.

“These projects leverage significant support and leadership from the private sector and will advance and stimulate economic activity in the state of Maine,” said Brian Whitney, MTI’s president. “They will enhance collaboration and innovation between public and private sector entities, strengthen supply chains and knowledge transfer and will lead to the development of new businesses, products, processes, skilled workforce and jobs.”

Cluster Initiative Program awards were issued for projects supporting Maine’s aquaculture, fisheries and bioscience clusters to the following entities:

• Coastal Enterprises Incorporated received $134,189 for the Maine Scallop Aquaculture Cluster Project. The proposal was matched by an additional $134,310 to support the effort to capitalize on the opportunity for scallop aquaculture to thrive in Maine by growing the knowledge and technology needed to adapt techniques from the well-established Japanese scal- lop aquaculture industry.

• The Gulf of Maine Research Institute received $398,306 for the continuation of the Sustainable Seafood Cluster Initiative. The grant was matched by an additional $398,307 from industry, grants and individual giving to continue its work with seafood harvesting, processing, distribution and sales companies to capture economic benefit from an economically and ecologically sustainable Gulf of Maine fishery.

• The city of Ellsworth’s Union River Center for Innovation received $126,270 to support the bioscience cluster. MTI funds will be utilized to develop an incubator to assist bioscience cluster entrepreneurs in the greater Ellsworth region. It was matched by an additional $376,802 from the city of Ellsworth and other private industry supporters.

TechStart grant awards:

• Traps Eyewear of Portland, award amount $2,100; match amount $2,100

• MedRhythms, Inc. of Cape Elizabeth, award amount $3,800; match amount $3,800

For more information on MTI funding programs, visit mainetechnology.org.