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Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) is sponsored by Maine Technology Institute (MTI). MERC provides subsidized consulting and free AI training to help Maine businesses grow, adapt, and stay competitive.
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Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) - Maine Technology Institute Skip to content Home / Explore Funding Programs / Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) Empowering Maine Business Owners with Expert Support Running a small business comes with big challenges—and MERC is here to help.
Whether you need hands-on business guidance or you’re ready to explore artificial intelligence (AI), MERC is here to help you grow, adapt, and stay competitive. Through this program, eligible businesses can access: Subsidized consulting, connecting you with experienced Maine-based professionals to tackle key business challenges Free AI training through Coursera to help you work more efficiently and grow your business.
Read about our AI training opportunities. Hands-On Consulting Tailored to Your Business Goals Consulting and technical assistance are vital to businesses, especially those just starting out. Although many startups are eager to enlist the help of experienced consultants, it can be challenging to find assistance that is both dependable and within budget.
To help overcome these two challenges, MTI created MERC. MERC maintains a database of vetted, Maine-based consultants to facilitate short-term projects (three months or less) with eligible businesses. If a business submits a project that is approved by MTI, MERC covers 50% of the project fee, up to $15,000 annually or $30,000 over the lifetime of a business’s participation.
What Kind of Expert Consulting Can MERC Provide? Our most popular projects fall into the following categories: Custom Software Development If you don’t see your need on the list, don’t worry! MERC can provide a range of business support.
If you have a need that can be addressed by a third party, we can likely turn it into a MERC project. Reach out to the MERC Coordinator to learn more. Half of the project fee, up to $15,000 annually or $30,000 over the lifetime of a business’s participation (cumulative across all MERC projects) Your organization or project must meet the following criteria to be eligible for MERC.
Under $5 million in annual revenue You must be a Maine-based organization Your innovation must fall within one of the seven targeted technology sectors Your organization must have an innovation Your innovation must enable your organization to create additional Economic Impact in Maine You must have access to matching funds Explore MERC Funding Criteria Step 1: Fill out the interest form Step 2: Meet with the MERC coordinator Step 4: Choose your consultant Learn more about the MERC Application Process Curious About How AI Can Support Your Business?
Free AI Training Through Coursera MERC offers free, self-paced AI training to help Maine businesses build foundational knowledge and explore practical ways to use AI. Through a partnership with Coursera, you’ll get access to the full Generative AI course catalog—plus a learning path curated by MTI specifically for Maine’s small businesses. Learn how AI can streamline your marketing, customer service, operations, and more.
Ready to Start? Fill Out the Interest Form Please visit our FAQ page if you have questions or need guidance on using the online portal for submitting your interest in MTI support. Are You Interested in Becoming a MERC Consultant?
Joining our MERC consultant database is a great way to connect with a potential pool of clients while supporting Maine entrepreneurs. Click the button below to find out if you’re eligible to be a MERC consultant and how to apply.
MERC Is Helping Small Businesses Connect With the Consultants They Need To Improve Their Businesses Awards to 114 small businesses Support MTI has committed through MERC MERC helps entrepreneurs get expert consulting! MERC Innovator Spotlights Ethical Digital Stewardship MTI has been a multiplier for our team’s efforts. Their funding and guidance were key in helping us progress from proof-of-concept to MVP to enterprise partnerships.
By staying grounded in Maine while building for the world, we’re demonstrating that global impact doesn’t have to come at the expense of local connection. –Thomas Law,… Earth-Friendly Prefab Building Panels We see a future where buildings regenerate rather than deplete; where construction is a force for climate restoration, economic resilience, and human well-being.
–Croft Team A Prefab Revolution Rooted in Maine’s Forests and Fields In the face of Maine’s 84,000-unit housing deficit, Croft is pioneering a revolutionary approach to construction that’s environmentally regenerative, cost-effective,… Advancing Sustainable Marine Protection MTI’s support played a key role in helping us scale operations, hire a sales consultant, connect with key industry stakeholders, and develop our marketing and distribution strategy.
–Bernard Hidier, Innovation & Business Development Pioneering Eco-Friendly Solutions for Marine Protection Maine’s extensive coastline and maritime heritage make it the perfect launching point for Finsulate USA,… See all Innovator Spotlights
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Maine-based organizations with annual revenue under $5 million operating in one of MTI's seven targeted technology sectors; must have innovation creating economic impact in Maine and have access to matching funds. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $15,000 annually or $30,000 lifetime Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Innovation Ecosystem Development Program is sponsored by Maine Technology Institute (MTI). This program is a competitive application process to spur the development of programs that directly support innovation and entrepreneurship in MTI's seven targeted technology sectors. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will provide a catalyst for enhancing Maine's innovation economy and supporting Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) as they scale and grow.
Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Seed Grant Program is a grant from the Maine Technology Institute that provides early-stage funding to Maine entrepreneurs and startups developing innovative technology products and services. Seed grants of up to $25,000 support proof-of-concept work, prototype development, and early market validation activities for technology-based ventures in MTI's target sectors including biotechnology, environmental technology, information technology, precision manufacturing, and composites. Eligible applicants are Maine-based for-profit businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs in the early stages of technology development. Seed grants serve as a stepping stone to larger MTI awards and outside investment by helping entrepreneurs de-risk their technology and build a foundation for commercialization. A cash match is required from the applicant or outside investors.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to four (4) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) that will provide entrepreneurial development services to Native American communities, focusing on supplying services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing SBA resources. Eligible applicants must be Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in the Higher Education Act HEA 316 (U.S.C. 1059c). Funding Opportunity Number: SB-GC7J-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.007. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,ED. Award Amount: Up to $250K per award.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to two (2) private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing WBCs for the District of Columbia (DC) and the State of Oregon. There will be one award for each location. Eligible applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the District of Columbia (DC) and State of Oregon. Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OEDWB-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.043. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,CD,RD. Award Amount: $75K – $150K per award.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in creating innovative, disruptive technologies with commercial potential or societal benefit, including projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies. Specialty tubing could be relevant for agricultural equipment or renewable energy systems.