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MTI President Brian Whitney
Updated: July 2, 2025
MTI to vet 5 proposals for Maine life sciences hub
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Maine Technology Institute is vetting five proposals to develop a Maine life sciences laboratory and business incubator.
Maine Technology Institute will vet five proposals to develop a state-of-the art life sciences laboratory and business incubator based in the Pine Tree State, according to MTI President Brian Whitney. Tuesday was the submission deadline.
The facility would consist of shared lab and office space for emerging biotechnology and life sciences startups to help them launch or scale up in the burgeoning sector.
"We envision the incubator being a co-working space of sorts with one section containing desks, offices and conference rooms and another section housing equipment and lab services for shared use," Whitney explained.
Without specifying who the proposals came from, Whitney told Mainebiz that three came from out of state, one from in-state and a fifth that's a joint in-state/out-of-state collaboration. He said all are "top-notch organizations."
MTI plans to review the five submissions and conduct due diligence over the next month, with the aim of reaching a decision on funding by Aug. 1, Whitney said.
He previously said the plan is to cut the ribbon on the new facility before the end of 2026.
The future Maine Life Sciences Incubator aims to bring mentors, workforce development programs and investors under one umbrella to support entrepreneurs in the $2.3 billion sector, which according to the Bioscience Association of Maine spans nearly 600 companies from biotechnology to medical devices and marine science.
A "wet lab" inside the hub would offer shared-use equipment to facilitate the use of liquids and biological materials for testing, experiments and product development.
Funding for the project includes $2 million from federal sources and $700,000 from the state, via the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
Whitney earlier told Mainebiz that southern Maine and Greater Portland is the desired location for the incubator. It would complement a planned life science innovation center via a bill that has been passed by state lawmakers and Gov. Janet Mills has until Monday, July 7, to sign, veto or allow to become law without her signature.
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