UMaine Highlights - Target Technology Incubator
Tech-Based Start-Up Companies
There were two new tech-based start-up companies formed to commercialize UMaine patent-pending technology during FY09.
- Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, LLC, a start-up company commercializing “Bridge in a Backpack” technology developed at AEWC Advanced Structures & Composites Center. AIT moved into the Target Technology Incubator in Orono. The company plans to manufacture the composite bridge formwork kits in Maine and complete in-field installations throughout the country.
- Environetix, LLC, a UMaine spin-off company from the Laboratory of Surface Science and Technology (LASST) is specializing in sensors resistant to extreme high temperatures. This company is commercializing UMaine patented and patent pending technology.
UMaine Student Start-Ups
Engineers Without Borders
This UMaine student group currently is working with the community of Dulce Vivir in Western Honduras to improve their sanitation system, a project they will continue for another two years.
Team members: 4 officers, many others involved
ERP Plugins
ERP is a small software development company working to build a suite of computer software programs aimed at strategically fulfilling the business process needs of large enterprises. The company was founded by a computer science graduate student and includes a communications and journalism undergraduate.
Team members: 2
Flannel Magazine
Flannel is a semi-monthly publication dedicated to Maine arts and culture that started out as a class project by a new media student. It includes photos, drawings, articles, and interviews with Maine artists. The magazine’s creator has partnered with another new media student to produce the magazine.
Team members: 3
Market My Menu
This company, started by a business and computer science student, provides a website solution that allows restaurant owners an exciting new way to create their online presence with the ability to track their customer base and distribute promotional items (specials, newsletters, and coupons). Market My Menu received an MTI seed grant and a Libra Future Fund grant to fund the purchase of a server to host their system and to promote their products at the Maine Restaurant Association annual trade show. They launched their product in FY09 and have started to get customers.
Team members: 2
Scene Box Productions
Scene Box is a video production company specializing in filming events in and around Maine. The company was started by two new media students at UMaine who are preparing to graduate in May ’10.
Team members: 2
Business Incubation
The University of Maine is a partner in the operation of two of the State’s Advanced Technology Development Centers or “business incubators.” The Target Technology Incubator in Orono provides both physical space and business counseling services to technology companies. The center is beginning its eighth year. The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center operates aquaculture and marine science incubators at both the UMaine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research in Franklin, Maine and at the UMaine Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine.
The Target Technology Incubator
The Target Technology Incubator currently has eight tenant companies and three new companies. Combined, tenant companies raised more than $3 million in investment capital and research grants in FY09.
- Stillwater Scientific Instruments – (SSI) Stillwater Scientific Instruments is developing a device that dramatically decreases the time it takes to analyze chemical compounds in the laboratory. This device, a component of mass spectrometers, will be sold to laboratory equipment manufacturers. Mass spectrometers are sold primarily in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as environmental fields in which complex chemical mixtures must be accurately identified.
- Intelligent Spatial Technologies (IST) – IST is a University of Maine spin-off company formed to commercialize the technology developed by the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. IST has developed technology that provides the user with information about their surroundings. By knowing where someone is and what direction they are facing, a handheld device instantly provides relevant information about nearby geographic objects.
- Angel Secure Networks – Angel Secure Networks provides software and process engineering services for protecting very high value data against the risk of compromise by trusted insiders as well as outside pirates. The company’s focus is on national security. The company also partners with UMaine’s Supercomputerprogram to further its development and commercialization activities.
- Maine Secure Composites – Maine Secure Composites, affiliated with UMaine’s AEWC Advanced Structures & Composites Center, researches and develops secure composite materials for use in homeland security and by the U.S. military. It is currently focusing on secure shipping containers with embedded sensors that will detect tampering and is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Milcord ME – Milcord ME is developing geospatial solutions through government-funded advanced technology development programs based on research conducted through UMaine’s Department of Spatial Information Science and Engineering.
- versionZero – Nathan Hankla started versionZero, a new media development company, when he was a graduate student at the University of Maine. He now has clients in New York City and throughout the state of Maine. He was hired to redesign the website for the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and has worked with UMaine departments to develop marketing and trade show materials, including the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative.
- Knife Edge Productions – A digital video company founded by two UMaine graduates: Nathan Hankla and Sheridan Kelley. Knife Edge combines the latest video hardwareand software with artistic talents and innovative visions.
- Zeomatrix LLC - Zeomatrix is a UMaine spin-off engaged in designing, testing, and producing catalysts for environmental remediation of animal waste odor and decontamination of toxic chemical agents. It is commercializing UMaine patent pending technology.
New Tenants FY09
- Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, LLC – Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, LLC will attempt to commercialize the composite bridge construction technology, called “Bridge in a Backpack,” developed at UMaine’s AEWC Advanced Structures & Composites Center. The technology involves hollow composite tubes that can be shipped in a bag to any construction site, inflated at the site, bent to any shape to fit the geometry of the site and infused with a resin to become rigid overnight. In its first year, the company expects to construct as many as six bridges in Maine, working with the Maine Department of Transportation, local contractors, and engineering firms
- Clemas International, Ltd. – Clemas International, Ltd. is a new monetizing innovation investment firm with offices in Orono, Maine. Clemas identifies commercially viable technologies, develops customized financial solutions, and commercializes the intellectual capital and intellectual property portfolios of academic, creative, corporate, financial, nonprofit, and government institutions. Clemas is a proactive partner to organizations confronting an abundance of intellectual property, scarcity of financial capital,and no clear pathway to commercialization. Clemas provides institutional investor access, time and strategic support frequently creating new venture development thereby leading to asset monetization.
- Forest Research – Forest Research is a start-up company focusing on economic research of forest-based products and services, including biofuels, biomass, and carbon sequestration.
Target Affiliates Program
Target’s Affiliates Program allows companies that are not tenants to benefit from many of the services and resource available at the Center. Affiliates include existing technology companies, start-up companies, and University researchers commercializing new technologies.
- Just Enough, LLC, d.b.a. GudMuse (information technologies)
- Mainely Sensors (UMaine patents in precision manufacturing)
- Tirranna (information technologies)
- Environetix, LLC (precision manufacturing)
The Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research at Franklin
The Franklin center provides on-site space for start-up aquaculture businesses.
FY09 has seen the beginning of significant incubator space expansion and fit-out through grants from the 2009 Maine Technology Asset Fund (R&D Bond). In addition, the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center has expanded incubator resources at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine through grants from the Maine Technology Asset Fund.
Aquaculture Business Incubation Clients in FY09
- Maine Halibut
- Friendship International
- Great Bay Aquaculture
- Little Pearl, LLC
- Sea and Reef Aquaculture, LLC
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