Small Business Grants in Maine
Most small business funding in Maine is administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Maine Technology Institute (MTI). Read each card first.
Which Maine grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 11 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
Maine Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Maine small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
MTI Business Innovation Funding
Maine Technology Institute
$10,000–$250,000
RollingMTI provides grants, loans, and equity investments to Maine businesses developing innovative products, processes, or services in targeted technology sectors. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $250,000 depending on eligibility and project scope.
Status check, Program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applicants complete a startup questionnaire, submit an interest form, meet with MTI team, then apply at their convenience. Review takes approximately two months.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
LaunchPad Small Business Competition
Maine Community Bank (formerly Gorham Savings Bank)
$10,000–$50,000
August 2026This annual competition awards a $50,000 no-strings-attached grant to a Maine small business. An Emerging Business Award provides an additional $10,000 grant plus $10,000 in in-kind business and marketing services. Applications typically open in summer.
Status check, The program is active for 2026, with applications opening July 13 and a deadline of August 13 at 5:00 p.m. The grant prize has been increased to $75,000. No indication of pause or closure.
Apply / Learn MoreLast verified, Aug 4, 2026
MTI Seed Grant
Maine Technology Institute
$5,000–$50,000
RollingThe MTI Seed Grant funds early-stage companies developing and commercializing innovative new products or services in sectors such as biotechnology, aquaculture, composites, environmental tech, and IT. A 1:1 match is required.
Status check, The MTI Seed Grant program is active and open to Maine-based small businesses in technology sectors. No fixed deadline is publicly documented; MTI uses rolling or periodic windows. Applicants must check MTI directly for current round dates.
Last verified, Jul 28, 2026
CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program
Maine DECD, Office of Community Development
Up to $50,000
RollingThis program provides forgivable loans to micro-businesses with 5 or fewer employees for working capital, equipment, and interior renovations. Business owners must be low-to-moderate income and work with a Maine SBDC advisor to qualify.
Status check, Program provides grants up to $50,000 to microenterprises for working capital, renovations, and improvements. Maximum $150,000 per community per year. No specific deadline stated on page.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
CDBG Economic Development Program (EDP)
Maine DECD, Office of Community Development
Up to $100,000
RollingGrants are awarded to municipalities to support direct business investment and job creation. At least 51% of jobs created or retained must benefit low-to-moderate income individuals. Municipalities apply on behalf of businesses.
Status check, The EDP page on Maine.gov remains live with no closure notice. Regional CDBG materials list Economic Development as active but invitation-only via municipalities, with no specific statewide deadline posted for 2025-2026.
Last verified, Aug 1, 2026
Grow Maine: State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Up to $5,000,000 per loan
RollingAdministered by FAME, this program provides up to $62 million in total SSBCI funding through loan guarantees, direct loans, and equity capital for eligible Maine businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Note: this is primarily a loan program, not a grant.
Status check, The program is active and accepting applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. FAME's official page describes current funding allocations and application instructions updated July 10, 2025, with no closure or pause notice.
Apply / Learn MoreLast verified, Jul 29, 2026
New Ventures Maine Mini-Grants
New Ventures Maine (University of Maine at Augusta)
$1,000
RollingNew Ventures Maine awards competitive mini-grants to help Maine small business owners promote and market their products and services. Grants are funded through partnerships with local banks.
Status check, The 2026 call for applications closed January 30, 2026. The program is between cycles with the next call planned for fall 2026. No active deadline exists currently. Program is ongoing but not accepting applications now.
Last verified, Aug 1, 2026
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Status check, This is a loan program, not a grant. The 7(a) Loan Program provides loan guarantees to lenders for small business loans up to $5 million. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through participating SBA lenders.
Learn moreLast verified, Aug 3, 2026
SBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sba.gov. Rates run 8 to 13 percent. The longest term allowed is seven years. Your lender sets both, not the SBA, so two owners can be quoted very different deals. There is no deadline. You apply through an SBA approved lender in your area.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
SBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sbir.gov. Two different figures get quoted for this program and both are real. As of April 2026 an agency may award up to $323,090 at Phase I and up to $2,153,927 at Phase II without SBA approval, and anything above that needs a waiver. Those are ceilings, not typical awards. Each agency sets its own amounts in its own solicitation, and the sbir.gov agency table currently runs from $50,000 to $300,000 at Phase I and $400,000 to $1.83 million at Phase II. There is no single deadline. You apply through a participating agency.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Status check, The business centers still run. The grants are a different story. Those windows are short, and they fund groups rather than single businesses. The last one we could find closed in February 2025. We found no open MBDA grant that a small business can apply for today.
View program pageLast verified, Jul 29, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Maine grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Maine grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Maine.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women-owned businesses in Maine can access targeted support through the CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program, the Women's Business Center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), and New Ventures Maine mini-grants.
- ›CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program
- ›Women's Business Center at CEI
- ›New Ventures Maine
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority-owned businesses are prioritized under the CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program and can access advising through CEI's StartSmart program for immigrant entrepreneurs.
- ›CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program
- ›CEI StartSmart Program
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned microenterprises are specifically targeted under the CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program, which offers forgivable loans for working capital and business growth.
- ›CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program
Rural Business Grants
Maine's predominantly rural landscape opens up the CDBG Economic Development Program. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant covers the same ground but bars for profit applicants. The Northern Border Regional Commission also funds projects in northern Maine counties.
- ›CDBG Economic Development Program
- ›Northern Border Regional Commission
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Technology-focused businesses in Maine benefit from strong support through the Maine Technology Institute, which offers Seed Grants, Business Innovation Funding, and free SBIR/STTR application assistance across seven targeted technology sectors.
- ›MTI Seed Grant
- ›MTI Business Innovation Funding
- ›MTI SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Program
Tips for Applying in Maine
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Contact the Maine SBDC at 207-780-4420 for free, confidential advising before applying to any grant program. SBDC advisors can help you identify the best-fit programs and strengthen your applications.
- 2For CDBG Microenterprise grants, you must meet with a Maine SBDC advisor to confirm eligibility before receiving an application. Have your previous year's income tax return ready to verify low-to-moderate income status.
- 3Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) at SAM.gov before applying. The federal government no longer uses DUNS numbers, and most grant programs now require a UEI.
- 4MTI Seed Grants require a 1:1 match (cash, salaries, staff time, or equipment). At least 50% of the match should be cash. Plan your matching funds before applying.
- 5Reach out to DECD's Business Answers program at 1-800-872-3838 if you need help navigating state licensing, permits, or regulatory requirements as part of your grant application.
State Economic Development Agency
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
DECD works with statewide and local partners to enhance economic growth in Maine through grants, tax incentives, community block grants, and business development programs.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Maine can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Maine offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The MTI Seed Grant provides $5,000 to $50,000 for early-stage technology companies. The LaunchPad competition from Maine Community Bank awards a $50,000 no-strings-attached grant annually. The CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program provides forgivable loans (structured as grants) of up to $50,000 per business for qualifying low-to-moderate income business owners.
The CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program is one of the most widely accessible grants for Maine small businesses with 5 or fewer employees. It is administered statewide through DECD's Office of Community Development and regional planning commissions. For technology-focused businesses, the MTI Business Innovation Funding program, offering $10,000 to $250,000, is the most established state grant option.
Most Maine grant programs do not require formal minority or women-owned business certification. However, the CDBG Microenterprise Assistance Program specifically prioritizes women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and low-income microenterprises. Working with a Maine SBDC advisor is required for CDBG programs and is recommended for all grant applications regardless of ownership category.
Timelines vary by program. MTI Seed Grants are awarded three times per year and typically take 2 to 4 months from application to decision. CDBG Microenterprise grants are processed on a rolling basis through regional planning commissions and may take 4 to 8 weeks after approval. The LaunchPad competition runs from summer applications through a fall pitch event, with the winner announced at the live event.
About the Author
Senior Finance & Banking Editor
Richard is the veteran anchor of the site's financial content. Raised in the Midwest and starting his career in Chicago's commercial banking sector, he spent over a decade underwriting small business loans before moving into financial journalism. He doesn't get swept up in startup hype; he cares about unit economics, APYs, and fee structures.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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