BUSINESS SUPPORT

Maine Aquaculture Innovation Navigator

MAIC is collating the business support resources that exist for aquaculture businesses in Maine to help startups navigate the business innovation landscape. Whether you’re looking for physical space to prototype, grant opportunities, technical expertise, or business planning, use this resource to start your planning! This page is updated regularly with new additions.

Location:

All Locations Statewide Downeast Midcoast Southern Maine

Resource Type:

Aquaculture in Shared Waters

Statewide

Aquaculture Training

ContactMaya Pelletier

Websiteaquacultureinsharedwaters.org

NotesAquaculture in Shared Waters is a community-based aquaculture training program which offers trainings for fishermen and sea farmers based in Maine.

Bigelow Laboratories

Midcoast

Incubator Space Research Collaboration

ContactCharlotte Quigley

Websitebigelow.org

NotesBigelow Laboratories is an independent, nonprofit research institution. There is some benchtop space available for businesses at the Bigelow campus, reach out for details.

Brunswick Landing TechPlace

Midcoast

Incubator Space

Websitebrunswicklanding.us

NotesIncubator space for businesses in the blue economy located in Brunswick.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

Statewide

Business Planning Business Financing

ContactHugh Cowperthwaite, Nick Branchina, Ruth Feldman

Websiteceimaine.org

NotesCoastal Enterprises, Inc. offers business planning, financing, and support for fishing and aquaculture.

Downeast Institute

Downeast

Technical Aquaculture Support Equipment Sharing Incubator Space

ContactKyle Pepperman

Websitedowneastinstitute.org

NotesTechnical aquaculture support with specialties in mussels and clams. Possibility of incubator space and equipment sharing.

Farm Credit East

Statewide

Business Planning Business Financing

Websitefarmcrediteast.com

NotesHas on staff consultants that can help with business plans for startups. Also issues loans to small businesses

Gulf of Maine Research Institute: Blue Economy Facilities Resource Map

Statewide

Innovation Resources

ContactJeff Bate

Websitegmri.org/projects/facilities-resource-map/

NotesResource map for blue economy resources in the broader Gulf of Maine area (New England).

Gulf of Maine Research Institute: The Maine Aquaculturist

Statewide

Technical Aquaculture Support Aquaculture Training Job Board

ContactCarissa Maurin

Websitethemaineaquaculturist.org

NotesThe Maine Aquaculturist serves as an aquaculture resource database and job board. Great resources for setting up and funding a farm.

Hatch Blue: Maine Blue Biotech Studio

Statewide

Business Planning Innovation Resources

ContactDylan Terry

Websitehatch.blue/programs/maine-blue-biotechnology-studio

NotesBigelow/Hatch Blue collaboration. Startup accelerator program for blue biotech companies.

Island Institute

Statewide

Grant Funding Opportunities

Websitegrants.islandinstitute.org

NotesProvides rotating small grants programs for fishing and aquaculture businesses.

Maine Aquaculture Association

Statewide

Business Planning

ContactChristian Brayden

Websitemaineaqua.org

NotesConnect with Christian for customized aquaculture business and production plans. The Financing Resources Manual published in 2023 is a great resource for financing your farm and setting up a risk management plan.

Mainebiz: Guide to resources for Maine startups and businesses

Statewide

Innovation Resources

Websitemainebiz.biz

NotesHelpful guide for business resources in Maine that is not aquaculture specific.

Maine Blue Index

Statewide

Innovation Resources

Websitemaineblueindex.com

NotesResource page for blue economy resources in Maine.

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs

Statewide

Business Planning

ContactLaurie Johnson, Naomi Neville, Tom Rainey, Emily Lane

Websitemced.biz

NotesTop Gun (15-week accelerator program), Food Accelerator Program (primarily for consumer packaged goods), Market Share Program (larger companies looking for help with sales and marketing), and Mentor Network.

Maine Farms for Future Program

Statewide

Business Planning Business Financing

Websitehttps://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/grants/farms-for-future/index.shtml

Notes A two-phase competitive program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support. Most recent round of funding was in 2025.

Maine International Trade Center

Statewide

Business Planning Business Financing Grant Funding Opportunities

ContactAbigail Gray Plante

Websitemitc.com

NotesThe Maine International Trade Center assists businesses who are interested in international growth.

Maine Life Sciences Network

Statewide

Innovation Resources

Websitemlsn.sites.northeastern.edu

NotesNetwork map of Maine life sciences resources, businesses, and nonprofits.

Maine Sea Grant

Statewide

Technical Aquaculture Support Equipment Sharing Research Collaboration Grant Funding Opportunities

ContactDana Morse, Annie Fagan, Jaclyn Roubidoux, Chris Bartlett

Websiteseagrant.umaine.edu

NotesTechnical aquaculture support in shellfish and seaweed farming. Funding opportunities released periodically.

Maine Small Business Development Centers

Statewide

Business Planning

Websitemainesbdc.org

NotesA useful resource for financing your business.

Maine Technology Institute: Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps

Statewide

Grant Funding Opportunities Business Financing

ContactEmily Braley

Websitemainetechnology.org

NotesMTI is a private nonprofit that offers grants and loans to Maine businesses. The MERC program provides consulting services to businesses for short-term projects (marketing, financial, legal, software development)

Manomet Conservation Sciences

Midcoast

Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration

ContactMarissa McMahan

Websitemanomet.org

NotesNonprofit research institution, spearheading quahog aquaculture research in Maine.

New England Ocean Cluster

Southern Maine

Incubator Space

Websitenewenglandoceancluster.com

NotesCoworking office space on the Portland waterfront with events and networking opportunties.

NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant

Statewide

Grant Funding Opportunities

Websitefisheries.noaa.gov

NotesAnnually funds projects with direct benefits to aquaculture and fisheries.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Statewide

Grant Funding Opportunities

Websitenortheast.sare.org

NotesGrant opportunities for farms; including aquaculture.

Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center

Statewide

Grant Funding Opportunities Technical Aquaculture Support

ContactSharon Adams

Websitenrac.org

NotesGrant opportunities released periodically. Also maintains an extensive publication database with technical reports on all forms of aquaculture.

Portland Fish Pier

Southern Maine

Incubator Space Waterfront Access

ContactHeather Moretti

NotesSeveral opportunities for new waterfront users in fishing, aquaculture, bluetech, and climate. Buildings actively reimagining spaces for new tenants. Some spaces move-in ready, others with build-out opportunities. Contact Heather Moretti with the City of Portland to learn more.

Roux Institute BioCoLab

Southern Maine

Equipment Sharing Incubator Space

ContactMoriah Folsom

Websiteroux.northeastern.edu

NotesLocated within the University of Southern Maine, BioCoLab provides members with access to advanced research equipment supporting cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology investigations.

Roux Institute ClimateTech Incubator

Southern Maine

Innovation Resources Grant Funding Opportunities Incubator Space

ContactWarren Adams, Gerard Pozzi

Websiteroux.northeastern.edu

NotesA regional hub for startups working on technology solutions to climate change located at the Roux Institue in Portland.

Schiller Coastal Studies Center

Midcoast

Incubator Space

Websitebowdoin.edu/coastal-studies-center/

NotesBowdoin College's marine and oceanographic science field station. Primarily a research facility but may have some space for early stage businesses. Reach out to learn more.

Sea Meadow Marine Foundation

Southern Maine

Waterfront Access Equipment Sharing

Websiteseameadow.org

NotesNonprofit working waterfront & marina located on the Cousins River in Yarmouth.

Sunrise County Economic Council

Downeast

Business Planning Business Financing

ContactPeter Piconi

Websitesunrisecounty.org

NotesBusiness support for Washington County businesses. Loan programs for fishing businesses.

University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute

Statewide

Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration

ContactDeborah Bouchard, Meggan Dwyer

Websiteumaine.edu/aquaculture/

NotesResearch institute with experts in shellfish, seaweed, and finfish. Located at the Darling Marine Center and the Orono campus.

University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research

Downeast

Technical Aquaculture Support Incubator Space Aquaculture Training

ContactSteve Eddy, Melissa Malmstedt

Websiteumaine.edu/cooperative-aquaculture

NotesIntroduction to Land-Based Systems is a UMaine system online course with a sliding scale fee. UMaine CCAR also has space avaliable for research projects and has a marine finfish hatchery and marine echinoderm hatchery.

University of Maine Darling Marine Center

Midcoast

Incubator Space Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration

Websitedmc.umaine.edu

NotesThe Darling Marine Center is UMaine's marine research station. MAIC and DMC co-manage two business incubation spaces with flowing seawater capabilities.

University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation

Statewide

Innovation Resources

ContactEmma Wilson

Websiteumaine.edu/innovation

NotesThe Foster Center for Innovation is the hub of innovation-focused activities at the University of Maine and the state's leading resource for innovation and commercialization, serving both the campus community and outside businesses and organizations. The Innovate for Maine internship program is at no cost to businesses.

University of Maine School of Marine Sciences

Statewide

Research Collaboration Aquaculture Training

Websiteumaine.edu/marine

NotesMany faculty members in UMaine's School of Marine Sciences conduct research relating to aquaculture. UMaine offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees in marine sciences and aquaculture.

University of Southern Maine Biotech Incubator

Southern Maine

Incubator Space

ContactMoriah Folsom

Websiteusm.maine.edu

NotesThe BioIN biotechnology business incubator program at the University of Southern Maine (USM) provides companies with flexible access to state-of-the-art wet labs, collaborative research space, and resources to accelerate innovation.