VCs & Investors

Gain access to capital via pitch events and a curated network of angel investors and venture capitalists.

For investors

Meet Dirigo Labs companies

Since 2022 our programs have worked with more than 100 Maine companies, from ocean technology and food to software and biotech. About forty of them have gone on to raise capital, together more than $37 million. Every company has been through a structured program with mentors, customer discovery, and pitch coaching.

Three ways to plug in:

  • Demo Day and the Pitch Competition. Invitation-only audiences of investors and partners, twice a year.
  • A quarterly deal-flow note. A short email on which companies are raising, hiring, or launching.
  • Warm introductions. Ask for an introduction to any Dirigo Labs company and a Dirigo Labs staff member makes it.

Want to see the whole network? The Network Map shows every company and mentor and how they connect.

By the numbers

Who invests in Maine startups

The organizations Dirigo Labs companies raise from most often. Details come from each organization’s own website; always check there for the latest.

State-chartered venture fund

Maine Venture Fund

Newport, Maine

Equity in Maine companies with high growth and impact potential. More than $57 million invested in 37 companies.

How to reach them: Start with their introduction form, which leads to an intro call.
maineventurefund.com →
Angel group

Maine Angels

Statewide, Maine

Early-stage companies in New England. Over $44 million invested since 2003 in more than 100 companies. Monthly screening; about one in five applicants pitches.

How to reach them: Apply through their Dealum portal.
maineangels.org →
Pooled angel fund, run with Maine Angels

Dirigo Angel Fund III

Maine, Maine

Successor to the Bangor Angel Funds. Targets 12 to 15 companies, three quarters of them Maine-based, with priority for women and underrepresented founders and for cleantech, blue economy, agriculture and forestry, and life sciences.

How to reach them: One Maine Angels application covers both.
maineangels.org/dirigo →
Impact venture capital

CEI Ventures

Brunswick, Maine

Equity for Maine companies that grow while creating good jobs. Part of Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

How to reach them: Email the team at CEIVentures@groups.ceimaine.org.
ceimaine.org →
Early-stage venture capital

Corsair Venture Partners

Portland, Maine

Formation, pre-seed, and seed rounds across New England. Generalists, currently most interested in modernizing legacy industries, the everyday economy, and AI-native software.

How to reach them: Use the contact form on their site.
corsair.vc →
Venture capital

Bold Ocean Ventures

Portland, Maine

Ocean, seafood, and climate companies in the Gulf of Maine and beyond. A partnership between experienced venture investors and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

How to reach them: Use the contact form on their site.
boldoceanventures.com →
Seed venture capital

The Alchemy Fund

Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts

Seed investors focused on the Northeast who help founders sharpen their business model, add differentiating technology, and pair them with veteran executives as coaches, aiming to build companies that can reach Series A.

How to reach them: Use the contact form on their site and choose “Presenting my company for funding.”
alchemy-fund.com →
State grants and loans

Maine Technology Institute

Portland, Maine

Business Innovation Funding in three tiers up to $100,000, matched 1:1, for seven technology sectors. Also SBIR and STTR application support.

How to reach them: Take the self-assessment, then the interest form. (207) 582-4790.
mainetechnology.org →
Tax credit, through FAME

Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit

Augusta, Maine

Investors receive a state tax credit worth 40% of their cash equity, up to $500,000 per investor per business. The company must be certified before the investment is made.

How to reach them: Apply for eligibility on FAME’s site before you raise.
famemaine.com →
State agency

Finance Authority of Maine

Augusta, Maine

Direct loans, loan insurance that helps banks say yes, and a venture capital revolving program. Their Business Roadmap tool points you to the right program.

How to reach them: famemaine.com/contact or 1-800-228-3734.
famemaine.com/business →
University residencies and incubator

Roux Institute at Northeastern

Portland, Maine

A three-month Founder Residency with no fees or equity, a grant, and startup credits, plus a healthcare residency that invests. Portfolio companies have raised more than $90 million.

How to reach them: Applications open each winter on their site.
roux.northeastern.edu →
Accelerator, not a fund

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs

Portland, Maine

Top Gun, Cultivator, and MarketShare programs that prepare founders to raise and connect them with Maine Angels and Maine Venture Fund.

How to reach them: Use the contact form on their site.
mced.biz →
Worth knowing

The Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit, explained

Maine gives investors a state income tax credit worth 40% of the cash they put into an eligible Maine company, up to $500,000 per investor per business over three years, taken over four tax years. It is the single biggest reason Maine angels write checks, and founders often find out about it too late.

  • Your company must be certified by the Finance Authority of Maine before the investment is made. Certification costs $750 and takes a few weeks.
  • To qualify, a company generally needs under $5 million in annual sales, most of its employees in Maine, and a plan to sell mostly outside Maine (or to be in an eligible sector).
  • The investor must keep the money in for five years.

Dirigo Labs walks every cohort company through the application. Read the program rules at FAME.

Join the Dirigo Labs investor list

Demo Day invitations, the quarterly deal-flow note, and first word when a company is ready to talk. For accredited investors, funds, and family offices.

Join the investor list

How we help founders raise

  • Pitch preparation. Every cohort ends with a pitch to real investors, after weeks of practice and feedback.
  • Introductions. We make warm introductions to the investors above and to our mentor network, many of whom invest themselves.
  • Non-dilutive funding. Help with MTI applications and, through our SBIR Resource Center, federal research grants.
  • The paperwork. Seed Capital Tax Credit certification, cap tables, and what a term sheet means, before you need to know.

Not in a program yet? See what we offer or get in touch.

arrow-up icon
Register Here for Dirigo Model! Apply Here for Dirigo Labs Accelerator! Register for Better Maine Conference Here!