Project – Archived

Gulf of Maine Seafood SPRINT

Harnessing the Gulf of Maine's potential.

We combined the technical expertise of GMRI with business formation and support services to forge a pathway for Blue Economy entrepreneurs and start-ups, so they could access the investment capital they needed to take charge of the region's climate future. This effort helped to cement the Gulf of Maine corridor, from Maine to Boston, as a global hub of innovation, make our region's seafood industry internationally competitive, generate high quality sustainable jobs, and usher in a new generation of Blue Economy entrepreneurship.

Initiative Objectives:

  • Create and accelerate for-profit companies for entrepreneurs and start-ups who can make positive impacts and generate sustainable growth in the Gulf of Maine.
  • Help scale and develop a range of marine businesses by connecting them with a robust network of regional partners, industry resources, and supportive services.
  • Help fund the growth of our Blue Economy through partnerships with angel investors, venture capital firms, state, local, and non-profit lending entities, and other capital sources.

In 2021, we were selected as recipients of the EDA SPRINT economic relief grant to support our efforts to lead a blue innovation recovery initiative that provided direct support to regional seafood-related startups and small businesses as they recovered from the impacts of COVID-19.

Alongside our project partners SeaAhead, a bluetech startup platform founded in Boston, we selected sixteen bluetech startups and seafood-related businesses operating in the Gulf of Maine to participate in the SPRINT program. Selected businesses received complimentary one-year memberships to SeaAhead, joining its expanding community of bluetech innovators, and gained access to a network of advisors and digital resources. Additionally, GMRI chose a subset of these businesses for immersive business development support through the Gulf of Maine Ventures team.

EDA SPRINT Project

Throughout the Gulf of Maine region, a burgeoning group of entrepreneurial businesses are focused on driving innovation in finfish, shellfish and algae aquaculture, as well within U.S. wild fisheries. Their solutions — including supply chain digitization, aquaculture innovations, and new fisheries technology — are essential to global competitiveness in the blue economy.

The EDA SPRINT grant helped us assist seafood-related startups and small business scale-ups by enabling us to:

  1. Scale entrepreneurship support models through a digital platform and simplified access to physical assets.
  2. Deepen and enrich digital mentorship models and connect startups to key mentors.
  3. Increase and enhance access to investment capital.

The end result was an enhanced economic corridor in northern New England that allowed the region to be more resilient to the next economic shock.

SPRINT Resources

Review past workshops and other helpful materials for seafood and bluetech startups and small businesses.

EDA SPRINT Project Partner

Sea-Ahead logo in a deep blue color.

This new project strengthens a powerful partnership between the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Sea Ahead – a bluetech startup platform founded in Boston. Our ocean insight and network combined with their start-up support expertise will strengthen the blue economy corridor from Maine to Boston.

Staff Contact

Megan Banner Sutherland
Megan Banner Sutherland Ventures Operations Associate (207) 772-2321 1793 [email protected]

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