Maine Venture Fund

HighByte, Inc. specializes in developing DataOps software tailored for industrial enterprises to address data architecture and integration challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Portland, Maine, the company offers the HighByte Intelligence Hub, a solution that seamlessly combines real-time, transactional, and time-series data into a single payload for applications. This enables manufacturers to securely collect, model, and transfer valuable industrial data without the need for coding or extensive maintenance. By facilitating rapid system integration and leveraging contextualized data for analytics and artificial intelligence, HighByte helps businesses govern data standards across their operations, enhancing overall efficiency and data utilization.

TimberHP specializes in the production of energy-efficient construction materials derived from abundant American wood fiber. The company focuses on sustainable and site-assembled building products, utilizing environmentally friendly and durable materials. TimberHP is committed to developing renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic wood fiber insulation for homes, thereby ensuring that clients receive carefully engineered materials designed for durability and performance. By promoting Maine's historic lumber sector and adopting eco-conscious manufacturing practices, TimberHP aims to enhance living conditions while contributing to the regeneration of local communities.

VETRO FiberMap is a cloud-based fiber management platform designed for broadband providers, municipalities, and telecommunications engineers engaged in the development of next-generation internet infrastructure. Launched in 2016 by Will Mitchell and Sean Myers, the platform addresses the needs of small and mid-sized Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by offering an intuitive and accessible solution for planning, designing, building, and managing fiber networks. It uniquely combines geospatial technology with information management applications, allowing users to visualize and analyze network data effectively. VETRO FiberMap is managed in the cloud and can be accessed through a web browser, promoting ease of use and rapid integration via open APIs. With a commitment to quality design and customer service, VETRO FiberMap supports competitive fiber broadband providers in over a dozen countries, continuously evolving under the guidance of its founders, who have extensive experience in the telecommunications industry. Headquartered in Portland, Maine, VETRO FiberMap is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of its clients as they develop the next generation of internet infrastructure.

HighByte, Inc. specializes in developing DataOps software tailored for industrial enterprises to address data architecture and integration challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Portland, Maine, the company offers the HighByte Intelligence Hub, a solution that seamlessly combines real-time, transactional, and time-series data into a single payload for applications. This enables manufacturers to securely collect, model, and transfer valuable industrial data without the need for coding or extensive maintenance. By facilitating rapid system integration and leveraging contextualized data for analytics and artificial intelligence, HighByte helps businesses govern data standards across their operations, enhancing overall efficiency and data utilization.

HighByte, Inc. specializes in developing DataOps software tailored for industrial enterprises to address data architecture and integration challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Portland, Maine, the company offers the HighByte Intelligence Hub, a solution that seamlessly combines real-time, transactional, and time-series data into a single payload for applications. This enables manufacturers to securely collect, model, and transfer valuable industrial data without the need for coding or extensive maintenance. By facilitating rapid system integration and leveraging contextualized data for analytics and artificial intelligence, HighByte helps businesses govern data standards across their operations, enhancing overall efficiency and data utilization.

Atlantic Sea Farms specializes in the production of fresh, sustainably farmed kelp, offering a healthy and domestic alternative to imported seaweed. The company focuses on creating innovative and appealing food products made from its seaweeds, which are never dried or dyed. Their kelp is used in a variety of culinary applications, ranging from appetizers to desserts, and is designed to be ready to serve straight out of the package. By providing fresh frozen kelp products to consumers, restaurants, and food service organizations, Atlantic Sea Farms aims to positively impact both public health and the marine ecosystem while supporting local fishing communities in Maine.

American Unagi raises American eels sourced from Maine's unique glass eel fishery. Their farm produces a more responsible, traceable, and ultimately safer eel product than what is currently available in the US.

True Fin Seafood provides professional chefs and home chefs the best seafood from the Gulf of Maine. They buy directly from fishermen to provide top quality, fully traceable seafood that is good for their customers, the ocean and coastal communities.

HighByte, Inc. specializes in developing DataOps software tailored for industrial enterprises to address data architecture and integration challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Portland, Maine, the company offers the HighByte Intelligence Hub, a solution that seamlessly combines real-time, transactional, and time-series data into a single payload for applications. This enables manufacturers to securely collect, model, and transfer valuable industrial data without the need for coding or extensive maintenance. By facilitating rapid system integration and leveraging contextualized data for analytics and artificial intelligence, HighByte helps businesses govern data standards across their operations, enhancing overall efficiency and data utilization.

VETRO FiberMap is a cloud-based fiber management platform designed for broadband providers, municipalities, and telecommunications engineers engaged in the development of next-generation internet infrastructure. Launched in 2016 by Will Mitchell and Sean Myers, the platform addresses the needs of small and mid-sized Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by offering an intuitive and accessible solution for planning, designing, building, and managing fiber networks. It uniquely combines geospatial technology with information management applications, allowing users to visualize and analyze network data effectively. VETRO FiberMap is managed in the cloud and can be accessed through a web browser, promoting ease of use and rapid integration via open APIs. With a commitment to quality design and customer service, VETRO FiberMap supports competitive fiber broadband providers in over a dozen countries, continuously evolving under the guidance of its founders, who have extensive experience in the telecommunications industry. Headquartered in Portland, Maine, VETRO FiberMap is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of its clients as they develop the next generation of internet infrastructure.

HighByte, Inc. specializes in developing DataOps software tailored for industrial enterprises to address data architecture and integration challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Portland, Maine, the company offers the HighByte Intelligence Hub, a solution that seamlessly combines real-time, transactional, and time-series data into a single payload for applications. This enables manufacturers to securely collect, model, and transfer valuable industrial data without the need for coding or extensive maintenance. By facilitating rapid system integration and leveraging contextualized data for analytics and artificial intelligence, HighByte helps businesses govern data standards across their operations, enhancing overall efficiency and data utilization.

Reconnect, Inc. operates a platform that combines software, hardware, and data to enhance outcomes for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, particularly during pretrial, reentry, and recovery phases. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Cumberland Center, Maine, with additional offices in Portland, Brooklyn, and Boston, the company provides solutions utilized by drug courts, probation, parole, and third-party administrators. Reconnect's automatic monitoring and communication application facilitates remote monitoring of individuals on probation and parole, featuring integrated notification systems and GPS capabilities for appointment reminders and curfew checks. As a Public Benefit Company, Reconnect is dedicated to positively impacting those facing addiction and aims to reduce incarceration, recidivism, and associated costs for defendants in the system.

CourseStorm, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing an online class registration software tailored for local programs. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Orono, Maine, CourseStorm provides a comprehensive platform that simplifies the class registration process for various community programs, including education, kids’ camps, health, arts, music, and recreational activities. The platform manages class registration, publishing, marketing, and credit card transactions, thereby alleviating the challenges associated with manually recruiting students and processing registrations. By enabling community education and college programs to publish their catalogs online, CourseStorm facilitates a seamless experience for students seeking to find and enroll in their preferred classes.

Dream Local Digital is a digital marketing agency based in Rockland, Maine, specializing in providing comprehensive marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as non-profit organizations across the United States. Founded in 2009, the company offers a range of services including online marketing strategy development, social media management, email marketing, reputation management, and SEO analysis. In addition to its core offerings, Dream Local Digital collaborates with partners to provide services such as search engine marketing, website design and management, and business intelligence reporting. The agency has built a reputation for working closely with newspapers, media companies, and advertising agencies to enhance their online presence and marketing effectiveness. Dream Local Digital is recognized as a Google Partner and a certified Facebook Blueprint company, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality digital marketing solutions.

Mobile Price Card, Inc. is a company based in Bangor, Maine, that specializes in developing a mobile application for wireless retailers. Founded in 2017, the company offers digital price cards that can be quickly updated through a user-friendly web-based dashboard. This application allows retailers to display dynamic content on in-store display devices, enhancing their advertising efforts by presenting targeted consumer messages at the point of purchase. By utilizing existing display devices, Mobile Price Card helps consumer electronics retailers save time and money while improving sales effectiveness. The platform aims to streamline the process of content management, enabling retailers to respond swiftly to market changes and customer needs.

Cerahelix, Inc. is a company based in Orono, Maine, that specializes in the design and manufacture of ceramic membrane filters for a variety of applications, including water purification, resource recycling, and biomass processing. Founded in 2011, Cerahelix develops bio-derived products utilizing patented DNA template technology to create sub-nanometer pores in ceramic membranes. This innovative approach allows for the effective filtration of minute particles, enabling the separation of salts, metal ions, and other impurities at the molecular level. The company offers a range of products, including single-channel elements for laboratory and small pilot studies, multi-channel elements for commercial applications, and filter element housings. Additionally, Cerahelix provides laboratory test systems for research and development purposes. Its products serve multiple industries, including food and beverage, mining, pharmaceuticals, and waste-to-energy.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing ultralight outdoor products tailored for adventure enthusiasts. Founded in 2010 and based in Biddeford, Maine, the company offers a range of items including backpacks, tents, shelters, tarps, and accessories, all crafted from durable Cuben Fiber material. Their products are designed to enhance the outdoor experience by improving weight, durability, and versatility, thereby enabling users to hike, backpack, climb, pack-raft, kayak, or cycle with greater efficiency and enjoyment. Hyperlite Mountain Gear markets its offerings online, providing a variety of backpack sizes and component tent systems to meet the diverse needs of adventurers.

CourseStorm, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing an online class registration software tailored for local programs. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Orono, Maine, CourseStorm provides a comprehensive platform that simplifies the class registration process for various community programs, including education, kids’ camps, health, arts, music, and recreational activities. The platform manages class registration, publishing, marketing, and credit card transactions, thereby alleviating the challenges associated with manually recruiting students and processing registrations. By enabling community education and college programs to publish their catalogs online, CourseStorm facilitates a seamless experience for students seeking to find and enroll in their preferred classes.

Chimani, Inc. develops an application that provides comprehensive information on national and state parks, aimed at enhancing the outdoor experience for users. Founded in 2010 and based in Portland, Maine, the application includes features such as sunrise and sunset data, tidal information, ranger-led event schedules, and travel guides. Additionally, it offers audio tours, professional photography, and access to news from National Park Traveler. By addressing common challenges faced by visitors, such as overcrowding and lack of information, Chimani helps travelers navigate park amenities and trails, ensuring a quality experience in nature.

Orono Spectral Solutions, Inc. is a company based in Hermon, Maine, specializing in the development of advanced sampling materials and technologies for the detection of chemical and biological agents in air and water. Founded in 2004, the company offers a range of products designed for trace to bulk quantity analysis, including systems for measuring hydrocarbons in urea liquor and waste water, as well as advanced surface sampling technologies for chemical agents. Its solutions aim to enhance safety, accuracy, and efficiency in the sampling process, catering primarily to military and emergency response sectors. By focusing on innovative methods for contamination measurement, Orono Spectral Solutions facilitates the identification of hazardous materials, thereby supporting global safety and environmental initiatives.

Newfield Design is a Maine, US based company that designs, develops and manufactures communications systems infrastructure. The founders have decades of experience in successful communications system design, development, deployment and management, particularly with Public Safety, Commercial/SMR and Critical Infrastructure communications systems.

Foneshow has built a telephony-based distribution platform for short-form audio (primarily news/talk/sports radio programming). The platform leverages the cellular telephone network and enables users to subscribe to, access, publish, share, and consume short-form audio programming immediately from virtually any cell phone. The system features the very rapid propagation of programming from the creator to the consumer. Patents are pending. Foneshow was founded in late August of 2006 on Ballston Beach in Truro, Massachusetts by Erik Schwartz and Nic Wolff, two technology industry veterans and lifelong friends. Nic and Erik had been kicking some of the ideas around for a while, wondering why they never listened to podcasts. In late summer 2006 they developed the ideas that would become Foneshow. They started coding in September of 2006 with alpha launching later in September. The foneshow.com domain was registered in October 2006. The company was organized as a Delaware LLC in November of 2006. In August of 2007 Foneshow closed a series A venture capital round with CEI Community Ventures, Masthead Venture Partners, and Small Enterprise Growth Fund of Maine.

Stillwater Scientific Instruments (SSI) 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. This device was developed through research at the University of Maine, and Stillwater Scientific Instruments was founded to commercialize this technology. The project has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the Maine Technology Institute.

BlueTarp Financial is a B2B credit management company serving over 2000 suppliers since 1998. BlueTarp pays suppliers upfront for their sales and protects them from credit risk so they can fund the growth of their business. Suppliers can customize their program by choosing to manage customer interactions as they do today, or select a full-service option where BlueTarp handles customer service and collections. They can also grow sales with options for up to 90-day terms, credit lines up to $1M, and a loyalty rewards program. Their SmartView™online tools give suppliers full transparency into customer buying and payment activities. It was founded in 1998 and headquartered in Portland, Maine.