Part of $9 Million Awarded to 49 Organizations to Expand Access to Grant Research Funding for Startups and Entrepreneurs
Waterville, ME 11/13/2024 – Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) in downtown Waterville has been federally designated as Maine’s official Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Resource Center and awarded the prestigious 2024 SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program Grant. As one of only 49 organizations selected nationwide, CMGC will play a critical role in helping underserved communities—including women, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and rural small businesses—access vital federal funding for research, innovation, and technology commercialization through the SBIR/STTR programs. FAST organizations work locally, providing person-to-person support and training that significantly increases the probability of success for entrepreneurs and small businesses pursuing SBIR or STTR contracts and grants.
The FAST Partnership Program provides essential funding to organizations like CMGC, empowering them to implement state and regional initiatives that increase SBIR/STTR participation. These federal grant funding programs serve as a crucial catalyst for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs to engage in research and development (R&D) activities, offering an accessible pathway to funding for technological innovation and commercialization.
“We are honored to be named the 2024 SBA FAST Partnership Program Awardee for Maine,” said Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation, and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council and principal investigator for the 2024 SBA FAST. “This award is a critical step toward strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial landscape. It will drive innovation and provide essential support for startups and small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved communities. While advancing the region’s transformation into an innovation hub, this initiative plays a pivotal role in fueling economic growth, securing vital R&D funding, and accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies across the state.”
CMGC and its startup accelerator Dirigo Labs will leverage this SBA FAST award to expand and develop its downtown Waterville-based SBIR/STTR Resource Center. The center will offer coaching, grant application technical assistance, and commercialization support to companies pursuing SBIR/STTR funding for their innovative technology. Through partnership with the Maine Technology Institute (MTI), these SBIR-eligible businesses will also expect to receive proposal support and development through MTI’s Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) team.
As part of the initiative, CMGC will engage an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The EiR will be instrumental in guiding startups and small businesses through the SBIR/STTR proposal process, aiming to increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards secured in Maine.
“The addition of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Dirigo Labs underscores our commitment to strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Dirigo Labs Assistant Director of Innovation Programming and Partnerships Emalee Hall. “This role will provide high-touch support to startups pursuing SBIR/STTR funding, enhancing their potential for success and fostering innovation across the state. We are excited to support Maine’s small businesses in accessing these transformative opportunities.”
For more information on the SBA FAST Partnership Program and Central Maine Growth Council’s SBIR/STTR Resource Center, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3vze6z.
About SBA FAST:
In FY 2024, $9 million was appropriated for entities to carry out activities defined under the FAST Partnership Program legislative authority. Entities from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive funding to provide outreach, technical, and financial assistance. Additional information can be found at https://www.sbir.gov/community/fast.
About SBIR/STTR:
SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, known as America’s Seed Fund across the eleven participating federal agencies. Over $4 billion in early-stage seed capital is provided annually through over 6,000 awards to more than 4,000 small businesses. Federal agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by the Americas Seed Fund often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. Additional information about the programs, as well as past and current topics can be found at www.sbir.gov.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration:
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
About Central Maine Growth Council
Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), located in Waterville, Maine, is a public-private collaborative regional economic development partnership funded by municipalities and businesses who share a common vision of economic prosperity for our region. CMGC is committed to fostering a robust regional economy. Our belief is that the standard of living and quality of life of our citizens is best served by a vibrant, healthy economy. This is accomplished with a strong successful business community. To learn more about Central Maine Growth Council, visit www.centralmaine.org
About Dirigo Labs
Dirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow mid-Maine’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs building innovation-based companies, the Dirigo Labs ecosystem brings together people, resources, and organizations to ensure the successful launch of new startups. Dirigo Labs operates under Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by several organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms. To learn more about Dirigo Labs, please visit www.dirigolabs.org.
Last modified: November 13, 2024
