Maine

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

To meet the financing needs of Maine’s business community, FAME offers a wide array of business assistance programs, ranging from traditional loan insurance programs for both small and larger businesses, to investment tax credits. FAME has also established taxable and tax-exempt bond financing programs that allow strong, creditworthy firms in Maine to access capital at favorable rates and terms.

https://www.famemaine.com/business-financing/

CEI Women’s Business Center

We offer courses, cohorts, workshops, and events which encourage peer-to-peer learning and community building, as well as 1:1 business advising support.

https://www.ceimaine.org/advising/business/womens-business-center/

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)

Just like you, we want to be a part of vibrant communities that support their residents and can weather a changing climate. Places where race, gender or rural location don’t limit your ability to access a good job or start a business. Boosting community-centered business like yours — that consider people and planet — is our way of getting there.

https://www.ceimaine.org/

The Third Place

Organization that strives to create connections among members of the Black community throughout Maine through networking and other events. Also working to foster and grow a strong Black business and professional community through networking and a co-working space.

https://www.thethirdplace.me/

Maine SBDC

Maine SBDC offers free live and on demand learning opportunities for small businesses.

https://www.mainesbdc.org/workshops/

For Us By Us Fund

Supports Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color living their best life in Maine. We provide grants for BIPOC-led projects, BIPOC organizers, and personal grants for folks in need of financial support or mutual aid.

https://www.fubufund.org/

Entrepreneurship For All (EforAll)

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a startup accelerator focused on underrepresented entrepreneurs. The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply.

https://eforall.org/maine/

Four Directions Development Corporation; SMALL BUSINESS LOANS & SERVICES

Native-run CDFI that serves Wabanaki communities in Maine by providing loans and advising services to Native entrepreneurs and small businesses.

https://fourdirectionsmaine.org/lending/small-business-loans/

Black Owned Maine (BOM)

Organization working to promote black-owned brands and businesses in Maine, as well as to promote Maine as a warm and inviting home to black entrepreneurs.

https://www.blackownedmaine.com/

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE)

Established in 1997, MCE’s mission is to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing the training, connections, coaching, and mentorship they need to commercialize and grow their ideas, products, and services. Over its 20-year history, the organization has accelerated the growth of hundreds of businesses and established a mentor network of over 200 members.

https://mced.biz/