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.

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Aquaculture in Shared Waters

Aquaculture Training
ContactMaya Pelletier
NotesAquaculture training program.

Bigelow Laboratories

Incubator Space Research Collaboration
ContactCharlotte Quigley
NotesSome benchtop space available for businesses at the Bigelow campus.

BioPilot Labs at USM

Equipment Sharing Incubator Space
NotesLife science research — instrumentation, benchtop space. Shared lab space.

Blue Economy Facilities Resource Map

Innovation Resources
ContactJeff Bate
Websitegmri.org
NotesResource map for blue economy resources in the broader Gulf of Maine area.

Bowdoin's Schiller Center

Incubator Space
NotesMostly a research facility but some space for early stage businesses.

ClimateTech Incubator at the Roux

Lab Space Innovation Resources Grant Funding Opportunities Incubator Space
ContactWarren Adams, Gerard Pozzi
NotesFor climate tech startups.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

Business Planning Business Financing
ContactHugh Cowperthwaite, Nick Branchina, Ruth Feldman
NotesBusiness planning, financing, and support for fishing and aquaculture.

Downeast Institute

Technical Aquaculture Support Lab Space Equipment Sharing Incubator Space
ContactKyle Pepperman
NotesTechnical aquaculture support with specialties in mussels and clams. Possibility of incubator space and equipment sharing.

Farm Credit East

Business Planning Business Financing
NotesOn-staff consultants for business plans for startups. Also issues loans to small businesses.

Guide to Resources for ME Startups

Innovation Resources
NotesHelpful guide for business resources in Maine. Not aquaculture specific.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Technical Aquaculture Support Aquaculture Training Job Board
ContactCarissa Maurin
NotesThe Maine Aquaculturist serves as an aquaculture resource database and job board. Lots of great resources for setting up and funding a farm.

Island Institute

Grant Funding Opportunities
NotesRotating small grants programs for fishing and aquaculture businesses.

Maine Aquaculture Association

Business Planning
ContactChristian Brayden
NotesCustomized aquaculture business and production plans. The Financing Resources Manual (2023) is a great resource for financing your farm and risk management.

Maine Blue BioTech Studio

Business Planning Innovation Resources
NotesBigelow/Hatch Blue collaboration. Startup accelerator program for blue biotech.

Maine Blue Index

Innovation Resources
NotesResource page for blue economy resources in Maine.

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs

Business Planning
ContactLaurie Johnson, Naomi Neville, Tom Rainey, Emily Lane
NotesTop Gun accelerator, Food Accelerator, Market Share Program, and Mentor Network.

Maine Farms for Future Program

Business Planning Business Financing
Websitemaine.gov
NotesMost recent round of funding was in 2025. A two-phase competitive program providing business planning assistance and investment support.

Maine Life Sciences Network

Innovation Resources

Maine Sea Grant

Technical Aquaculture Support Equipment Sharing Research Collaboration Grant Funding Opportunities
ContactDana Morse, Annie Fagan, Jaclyn Roubidoux
NotesTechnical aquaculture support in shellfish and seaweed farming.

Maine Small Business Development Centers

Business Planning

Maine Technology Institute

Grant Funding Opportunities Business Financing
NotesPrivate nonprofit offering grants and loans to Maine businesses.

Manomet

Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration
NotesNonprofit spearheading softshell clam aquaculture research in Maine.

New England Ocean Cluster

Incubator Space
NotesCoworking office space on the Portland waterfront with events and networking opportunities.

NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant

Grant Funding Opportunities
NotesAnnually funds projects with direct benefits to aquaculture and fisheries.

Northeast SARE

Grant Funding Opportunities
NotesGrant opportunities for farms including aquaculture.

Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center

Grant Funding Opportunities
ContactSharon Adams
Websitenrac.org

Portland Fish Pier

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.

Sea Meadows Marine Foundation

Waterfront Access Equipment Sharing
NotesNonprofit marina.

Sunrise County Economic Council

Business Planning Business Financing
ContactPeter Piconi
NotesBusiness support for Washington County businesses. Loan programs for fishing businesses.

TechPlace — Brunswick Landing

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

UMaine ARI

Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration
ContactDeborah Bouchard, Meggan Dwyer
NotesResearch institute with experts in shellfish, seaweed, and finfish. Located at the Darling Marine Center and the Orono campus.

UMaine CCAR

Technical Aquaculture Support Incubator Space Aquaculture Training
ContactSteve Eddy, Melissa Malmstedt
NotesIntroduction to land-based systems online course (sliding scale fee). Space for research projects. Marine finfish and echinoderm hatcheries.

UMaine Darling Marine Center

Incubator Space Lab Space Technical Aquaculture Support Research Collaboration
ContactSean Smith, Damian Brady
NotesFlowing seawater lab space for aquaculture businesses.

UMaine Foster Center for Innovation

Innovation Resources
ContactEmma Wilson
NotesInnovate for ME internship program at no cost to businesses. College students can work for your business for free.

University of Maine School of Marine Sciences

Research Collaboration
ContactVarious faculty

University of New England

Research Collaboration
ContactCarrie Byron

USDA Office of Seafood

Grant Funding Opportunities
ContactBrian Wilson, Ivana Hernandez Clukey
Websiteusda.gov
NotesHomepage for USDA programs serving the seafood industry.

Washington County Community College

Aquaculture Training
ContactNichole Sawyer

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Have questions, additions, or updates?

Please reach out to Sydney Avena, our Applied Research & Industry Partnerships Manager. This page is updated regularly with new additions.