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.

Filter by:

Aquaculture in Shared Waters

Aquaculture Training

ContactMaya Pelletier

Websiteaquacultureinsharedwaters.org

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

Websiteroux.northeastern.edu

NotesFor climate tech startups.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

Business Planning Business Financing

ContactHugh Cowperthwaite, Nick Branchina, Ruth Feldman

Websiteceimaine.org

NotesBusiness planning, financing, and support for fishing and aquaculture.

Downeast Institute

Technical Aquaculture Support Lab Space 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

Business Planning Business Financing

Websitefarmcrediteast.com

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

Guide to Resources for ME Startups

Innovation Resources

Websitemainebiz.biz

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

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Technical Aquaculture Support Aquaculture Training Job Board

ContactCarissa Maurin

Websitethemaineaquaculturist.org

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

Websitegrants.islandinstitute.org

NotesRotating small grants programs for fishing and aquaculture businesses.

Maine Aquaculture Association

Business Planning

ContactChristian Brayden

Websitemaineaqua.org

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

Websitemaineblueindex.com

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

Websitemlsn.sites.northeastern.edu

Maine Sea Grant

Technical Aquaculture Support Equipment Sharing Research Collaboration Grant Funding Opportunities

ContactDana Morse, Annie Fagan, Jaclyn Roubidoux

Websiteseagrant.umaine.edu

NotesTechnical aquaculture support in shellfish and seaweed farming.

Maine Small Business Development Centers

Business Planning

Websitemainesbdc.org

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

Websitefisheries.noaa.gov

NotesAnnually funds projects with direct benefits to aquaculture and fisheries.

Northeast SARE

Grant Funding Opportunities

Websitenortheast.sare.org

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

Websitesunrisecounty.org

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

GET IN TOUCH

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.

Contact Sydney