What is MIRTA?

Logo for the UMaine MIRTA program

MIRTA is an accelerator program designed specifically to develop UMaine research innovations into marketable new products and services that may lead to new job creation and grow Maine’s economy.

MIRTA applies the accelerator model used in the startup world for technology transfer projects in the university ecosystem. During this intensive 16-week program, participants are guided through market analysis, intellectual property analysis, and business model development. After participation in MIRTA, teams have a roadmap with clear pathways that could include creation of a startup, licensing to a new or existing company or direct engagement with the end user.

Eight new startups have been formed from 26 teams in six MIRTA cohorts, and the teams have collectively raised more than $6.4 million in external funding and prototype sales to support ongoing commercialization. Companies that have been formed after participation in MIRTA  include Neuright, winner of the $25,000 David Shaw prize at the statewide Top Gun accelerator program in 2019, and UNAR Labs, selected to join the first cohort of the Roux Institute Startup Residency Program in 2021.

An graphic with orange and blue type - MIRTA fast facts - 26 teams in six cohorts, eight startups formed, five teams to national i-corps, 6.4 million raised in external funding and prototype sales.

Upcoming cohort dates: Week of August 5th to Week of November 11th, 2024.
Applications have closed. 

MIRTA News

MIRTA Advisory Board & Partners

 
Susan Ahern 
Vice President of Innovation at MaineHealth
 
Jason Charland
Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Research Development at UMaine
 
Blaine Grimes 
Chief Executive Officer at Gulf of Maine Ventures
 
Michael Mason 
Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at UMaine and Founder , Xylogen
 
Joseph Migliaccio 
Director of Business Development at MTI
Brian Rahill 
CEO, CourseStorm

Tom Rainey 
Executive Director at Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
 
James Ward IV
Vice president of Innovation and Economic Development, at the University of Maine 
Logo for the Maine Technology Institute: black letters MTI over the words Maine Technology Institute next to a colorful design of green, blue, orange, yellow, purple and red bars arranged in a starburst-like design.

MIRTA is made possible by support from University of Maine System Research Reinvestment Fund and the Maine Technology Institute