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Maine Venture Fund

North America, Maine, United States, Newport

Description

The Maine Venture Fund (MVF) is a dedicated venture capital fund established by the Maine Legislature in 1997 with the explicit mission to foster economic growth and job creation within the state. As a professionally managed fund, MVF strategically invests in promising Maine-based companies that demonstrate high growth potential, aiming to help them scale and succeed. Its investment focus spans a diverse range of sectors, including technology, biotechnology, manufacturing, and consumer products, reflecting the varied entrepreneurial landscape of Maine.

MVF primarily seeks companies with strong management teams, proprietary technologies or unique business models, and significant market opportunities. The fund plays a crucial role in providing early-stage and growth capital to businesses that might otherwise struggle to secure funding within the region. Beyond capital, MVF also offers strategic assistance and guidance to its portfolio companies, leveraging its network and experience to support their development.

Since its inception, the Maine Venture Fund has made a substantial impact on the state's economy, having invested over $40 million across more than 100 Maine companies. For initial investments, MVF typically provides capital ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. These first checks are often followed by additional investments as companies achieve milestones and require further capital for expansion, underscoring MVF's long-term commitment to its portfolio and the economic vitality of Maine.

Investor Profile

Maine Venture Fund has backed more than 47 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 14 rounds, about 30% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series A, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, Education.
  • Typical check size: $250K – $1M.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (34%)
  • Series A (23%)
  • Seed (23%)
  • Convertible Note (9%)
  • Series B (4%)
  • Grant (4%)
  • Debt Financing (2%)

Country Focus

  • United States (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Information Technology
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Manufacturing
  • Data Integration
  • Biotechnology
  • Aquaculture
  • Edtech
  • Enterprise Software
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Maine Venture Fund frequently co-invest with?

FreshTracks Capital
North America, Vermont, United States, Shelburne
Co-Investments: 3
York IE
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 5
Maine Technology Institute
North America, Maine, United States, Brunswick
Co-Investments: 10
BA
North America, Maine, United States, Bangor
Co-Investments: 2
OV
North America, Maine, United States, Portland
Co-Investments: 2
CEI Ventures
North America, Maine, United States, Portland
Co-Investments: 9
Maine Angels
North America, Maine, United States, Portland
Co-Investments: 10
Momenta
Europe, Luzern, Switzerland, Meggen
Co-Investments: 4
3V
North America, Delaware, United States, Delaware City
Co-Investments: 3
CE
North America, Maine, United States, Brunswick
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Maine Venture Fund often collaborate with?

Shared Deals: 1
SK
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Newburyport
Shared Deals: 1
AC
North America, Maine, United States, Biddeford Pool
Shared Deals: 1
CM
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
JH
North America, Maine, United States, Portland
Shared Deals: 1
DF
North America, Rhode Island, United States, Bristol
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Maine Venture Fund?

HighByte

Portland, Maine, United States

HighByte focuses in developing DataOps software that tackles data architecture and integration issues encountered by industrial companies.

Data IntegrationInformation TechnologySoftware
Series AApr 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $12,000,000
Pumpspotting

Kittery, Maine, United States

Pumpspotting is a non-judgmental community and breastfeeding app helping parents feed both family and career.

Child CareCommunitiesMobile Apps
SeedSep 6, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,200,000
TimberHP

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

TimberHP manufactures high-performance wood fiber insulation that is both good for humans and the environment.

Building MaterialCommercialConstructionManufacturing
Series UnknownJun 7, 2023
VETRO FiberMap

Portland, Maine, United States

VETRO FiberMap is a fiber management GIS mapping platform that develops software to help internet providers manage their network.

Data VisualizationEnterprise SoftwareGeospatialInformation TechnologyMapping ServicesSoftware
Series UnknownMar 22, 2023
Amount Raised: $7,000,000
HighByte

Portland, Maine, United States

HighByte focuses in developing DataOps software that tackles data architecture and integration issues encountered by industrial companies.

Data IntegrationInformation TechnologySoftware
Convertible NoteFeb 3, 2023
Amount Raised: $3,228,075
BlueTrace

Castine, Maine, United States

BlueTrace offers a traceability solution for shellfish growers, wholesalers, distributors, and dealers.

AgTechAquacultureComputerFood and BeverageSeafood
SeedDec 21, 2022
Amount Raised: $4,300,000
WAVED Medical

Orono, Maine, United States

WAVED Medical delivers an image-based breast cancer risk assessment system for breast care facilities to identify high-risk patients.

Health CareMedicalMedical Device
GrantNov 23, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,500
Bijou Build

Camden, Maine, United States

Bijou Build is a pioneer in the children's toy sector, with a modular design that is simple to construct, customizable, and portable.

Toys
GrantNov 23, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,500
Defendify

Portland, Maine, United States

Defendify is an All-In-One Cybersecurity® SaaS solution that offers layered security protection, backed by consultative expert guidance.

Cyber SecurityNetwork SecuritySoftware
Series UnknownAug 18, 2022
Amount Raised: $3,350,000
Circa

Brunswick, Maine, United States

Circa is a rent payment platform that combines payment flexibility, rent reporting to credit bureaus, back rent collection, and more.

FinanceFinancial ServicesPaymentsReal EstateSoftware
SeedApr 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,000,000