Sign up for News
Sign up for updates and stay in the entrepreneurial loop!
MxG
Maine Accelerates Growth
Maine Accelerates Growth (MxG) serves as a convener, connector, and collaborator to strengthen Maine's overall entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem leading to a more vibrant and prosperous Maine. This network is made up of individuals and organizations who take a long-term and system-wide approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Maine.
MxG is 22 organizational partners strong, made up of passionate individuals focused on making Maine a great place to start and grow innovative businesses. The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) provides MxG's administrative backbone and the Maine Community Foundation manages the grantmaking fund. Annually, MxG produces and present a "State of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem" report on the ecosystem vibrancy metrics: density, fluidity, connectivity and diversity.
As a network, MxG learns from the work of our partners. We have examined the policy priorities put forward across multiple collaborations and partners in the State - including the Maine Innovation Economy Action Plan, Making Maine Work, CEIPolicy Priorities 2019-20, and MaineSparks Policy Priorities - and endorse three legislative policy priorities we deem as critical for Maine's long-term economic health and vibrancy:
Focus on solutions to Maine's workforce challenges, including talent attraction and retention. We need to invest in our people including innovators and job creators.
Expand affordable, secure, reliable, and very high speed, open access, internet coverage for all of Maine. High-speed internet is critical to the growth of all companies and communities in the 21st century and Maine must build a digital infrastructure that will last for 20-40 years.
Expand effective incentives for private sector investment in innovation and growth that build both Maine's investment and entrepreneurial capacity. Continue to diversity and grow Maine's economy through sustained funding and support for the Maine Technology Institute that, to date, has leverages $950 million in private sector investment; support and expand the Seed Capital Tax Credit program that has successfully attracted much-needed capital to Maine-based startup and growth-oriented companies; and, continue to support, on a regular schedule, State investments that facilitate the transfer of research and technology from Maine's universities, colleges and world-class research facilities to the commercial market.
MxG relies on data to inform our understanding of the vibrancy of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. MxG also supports a fourth priority:
Restore data collection and analysis by the State, to guide actionable Statewide strategies, measure results, and identify ongoing needs.
Contact a member of the MxG Advisory Committee to be connected with entrepreneurs and innovators in your Maine community:
Maine Technology Institute (MTI): Martha Bentley, Joe Migliaccio, Brion Jones
Maine Community Foundation (MCF): Maggie Drummond Bahl
Maine Venture Fund (MVF): John Burns
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE): Tom Rainey, Laurie Johnson
University of Maine Innovation Programs: Renee Kelley, Veena Dinesh
UpStart Maine: Evan Richert
SCORE: Nancy Strojny, Marge Barker
Startup Maine: Katie Shorey
Engine: Tammy Ackerman
Thomas College: Mike Duguay
Scratchpad Accelerator, CoVort: Lisa Liberatore, Jason Harkins
Greenlight Maine
Techplace: Kristine Logan
Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): Jennifer Sporzynski
Four Colors of Money: Don Gooding
Our Katahdin: Lucy Van Hook
People's United Bank: Katie Shorey
Transformative Knowledge: Suzanne Hamlin
The Sustainability Lab: William Seretta
University of Maine Business Challenge
E2Tech: Melissa Winne
Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center: Alain Nehimana
MxG Advisory Committee: Brian Whitney, Kerem Durdag, Sandra Stone
