Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC)

Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) is sponsored by Maine Technology Institute (MTI). MERC provides grants to entrepreneurs and startups with under $5 million in annual revenue to help them increase revenue.

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