Randolph “Randy” Jones, a technology expert with a background in engineering and artificial intelligence, will join the Central Maine Growth Council in Waterville for a year-long residency.
As an entrepreneur-in-residence, Randolph will help startups and entrepreneurs across Maine — including those participating in the Dirigo Labs accelerator program — navigate the federally funded Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
Through the programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to help entrepreneurs develop technology and map out plan for a commercial launch.
Jones rings more than 25 years of experience as senior AI engineer and an engineering supervisor at Soar Technology LLC, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based software development company. He holds a Ph.D. in information and computer science from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly taught computer science at Colby College in Waterville.
“Maine’s innovation ecosystem represents tremendous untapped potential, and I’m honored to be working with the Central Maine Growth Council and Dirigo Labs to help bridge the gap between our entrepreneurs and federal funding opportunities,” Jones said.
“I am hopeful that the many exciting small businesses in Maine can find some value in my experience with the SBIR and STTR program,” he added. “Productive use of these federal R&D dollars will accelerate technological innovation across the state while creating sustainable economic growth in our communities.”