Maine Technology Institute celebrates 25 years of investments
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The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is a unique public-private partnership whose core mission is to encourage, promote, stimulate, and support innovation and its transformation into new products, services, and companies. MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs to support Maine’s innovation economy.
As a key part of the state’s economic development strategy, MTI is a significant driver in expanding research and development to create new innovative ventures. Since its founding in 1999, MTI has distributed nearly $372 million via a variety of programs to more than 4,000 projects throughout the state of Maine. Here are a few examples of Maine companies we have recently supported.
For more information visit mainetechnology.org. Courtesy photos unless otherwise specified.
bijou build
As a mom and lover of good design, Amanda Lacy of Camden set out to create a sustainable alternative to plastic jungle gyms that could adapt as kids grow. The resulting Bijou play structure is crafted with durable, recycled materials and is highly customizable thanks to its innovative modular design. A base model can be set up in less than an hour and collapsed for seasonal storage; add-ons like a rope bridge, swing or hanging table are available as modular components. The company’s vision is that once kids grow out of climbing and playing in the Bijou, the structure won’t end up in a landfill but will instead be repurposed as a private escape for teenagers or a hang-out spot for parents—all while inspiring a love of the outdoors. The Bijou system meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards for children’s products.
EDURA Marine by Acadian Composite Materials
Born out of Maine’s deep connection to the ocean and commitment to sustainability, EDURA Marine aims to revolutionize marine construction with its innovative composite panel made from recycled plastic. Lightweight and water-resistant all-in-one EDURA panels are engineered to replace traditional plywood and core materials in boats, docks and marinas, simplifying and speeding up the construction process. With the support of Maine Technology Institute, EDURA was able to accelerate product development, refine manufacturing processes, and bring their high-performance, climate-resilient material to market. Today, Acadian Composite Materials is focused on growing the market for the EDURA Marine line with boatbuilders and marine professionals nationwide—and continues to grow through hands-on training, distributor partnerships and a shared mission for a cleaner, more durable future on the water.
Nyle Systems, LLC
Based in Brewer, Maine, Nyle Systems designs, develops, manufactures and sells energy-efficient products that reduce energy costs. With a mission to shift commercial and industrial processes from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Nyle focuses on three core markets: lumber drying, food dehydration and heat pump water heating. Since launching in 1977, their product line has expanded to include conventional kilns, heat treaters, dehumidification food dehydrators, heat pump water heaters, and large capacity heat pumps for industrial processes. MTI funding has helped expand Nyle’s operations as well as develop new products and improve controls for existing lines. They expect to continue to grow, doubling their business every two to four years.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
For over 50 years, Johnny’s Selected Seeds has been researching, breeding and selling high-quality seeds from Central Maine. In 1999, the company was one of the nine original signers of the Safe Seed Pledge, a commitment to not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. Research has been a priority at Johnny’s since day one. The employee-owned company trials thousands of seed varieties a year and field tests the tools they sell at their certified organic research farm in Albion, where they also film educational videos and develop award-winning new varieties of crops, such as the Bright Lights Swiss chard and Carmen sweet Italian pepper. Finally, as part of their commitment to conservation, founder Rob Johnston Jr., and his wife Janika Eckert donated an easement on all of the company’s farmland in 2005 to ensure the land will never be used for any purpose other than farming.
Peaks Renewables
Peaks Renewables is a renewable energy development company focused on developing low-carbon, carbon-neutral, and carbon-negative fuels like renewable natural gas and green hydrogen by turning what would be a wasted resource into energy to fuel homes, businesses and industries throughout the United States. Peaks’ current focus is renewable natural gas (RNG) development from agricultural waste, landfills and food waste. Their anaerobic digester in Clinton works with six Maine dairy farms to capture methane from cow manure that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Peaks Renewables uses innovative technology to clean the gas to make it pipeline-quality and distribute it to Maine gas customers via their affiliate company, Summit Natural Gas.Byproducts from the process are returned to farmers, who can use them as fertilizer and animal bedding.
