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A PATH FORWARD

This is how Maine does business

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A PATH FORWARD

This is how Maine does business

Give your dreams a chance to grow

Whether you’re a new business or an established one, small or not-so-small, for-profit or nonprofit, based in or doing business in Maine, the Maine Funding Network is open to you.

Ready to grow

What do you need? Maybe you are looking to expand your operations or upgrade your equipment. Perhaps you are launching new products or adding a second shift. We can help.

Exploring moving to Maine

Thinking about doing business in Maine? Welcome! We can show you what alternative funding options are available throughout the state.

Looking for alternative funding

Our approach is different—we’re focused on building business in Maine and use all of our connections to make yours succeed. Our alternative funding sources are available and seeking businesses like yours.

Eager to start a business

Whether you’ve never opened a business before or are a seasoned entrepreneur, we can advise you on how to get started and how to find a funding solution.

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Find your funding with these simple steps

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Fill out the online form

Let us know a few things about your business—what industry you’re in, the amount of funding needed, your location. One form is all you need to access our 20+ funding partners.

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View funding partner matches

Once you complete your form, we’ll show you a list of agencies that will be a good fit for what you’re looking for.

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Click to connect

See something that seems right for your business? Simply click on the link to connect with the funding partner.

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Complete the Common Loan Application

Once you’re connected with a funding partner, they’ll open up the path to the application to collect more specific details about your business and financials.

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Find your funding with these simple steps

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Fill out the online form

Let us know a few things about your business—what industry you’re in, the amount of funding needed, your location. One form is all you need to access our 20+ funding partners.

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View funding partner matches

Once you complete your form, we’ll show you a list of agencies that will be a good fit for what you’re looking for.

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Click to connect

See something that seems right for your business? Simply click on the link to connect with the funding partner.

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Complete the Common Loan Application

Once connected with a funding partner, they’ll open up the path to the application to collect more specific details about your business and financials.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

One location. One form.

Gone are the days of searching for multiple funding sources and filling out application after application to access business funds. One form is all it takes to get started. Here’s what you’ll need to complete the form to find your match and submit the Common Loan Application. Get ready with our application checklist.

Match Request Funding Application

Your personal info

Knowing who you are and a bit about your credit gives funding partners a snapshot of your creditworthiness.

Your business details

Let us know what business, industry, and location you’re in. That will help us match you with the right funding partners.

Your ask

What is the amount of funds you’re looking for? Don’t worry about size—many times funding partners will work together to fulfill larger asks.

Your business details

Tell us more about your business, ownership and leadership, and employment.

Your financials

Revenue, cash flow, assets, tax returnsthese are details our team will need for underwriting loans and determining business viability.

Your business plan

How do you plan to grow the business? What is your strategy?Tell us what the future of your business looks like.

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TYPES OF FUNDING

Funds for every dream

When your mission is to help Maine business grow, you make things happen. We offer funding and grants for all stages of the journey.

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You need money for working capital, expansion, equipment purchases, or real estate acquisitions. We have it. 

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Your business is viable—you’ve proven that—and now you need money to increase market share and accelerate development. You’ve come to the right place. 

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Maine fosters progress. Innovation grants are available to businesses and nonprofits willing to think outside the box. 

collaborative Collaborative Capital

Worried your ask is too large? The Maine Funding Network partners work together to meet larger requests. Because sometimes it takes a village to get things off the ground.

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FAQs

You have questions. We have answers.

What is the Maine Funding Network?

The Maine Funding Network is your gateway to finding alternative funding opportunities from agencies throughout Maine. The Maine Funding Network’s goal is to make it easier for small businesses and nonprofits to find the sources for funding that they need to start or grow the businesses.

Do I have to pay to use the Maine Funding Network?

No, the Maine Funding Network is free to use. As you proceed with loan applications, some providers may charge an application fee that will be processed outside of the Maine Funding Network.

Who owns and operates the Maine Funding Network?

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) owns and operates the Maine Funding Network. FAME is a quasi-independent state agency that develops and administers programs related to the financing of both higher education and business in the state of Maine.

If I have questions about the Maine Funding Network or the matching process, who do I ask for help?

Please reach out to us through email at support@mainefundingnetwork.com.

My business is not located in Maine. Can I use the Maine Funding Network?

Yes! Some of the providers in the Maine Funding Network work with businesses that are interested in expanding or relocating to Maine.

What information do I need to submit to find my funding match?

You will submit some basic business information to find your funding match in our network:

  • Contact information
  • Address
  • Business type
  • Business description
  • Financing information
    • How much money is needed
    • How soon the money is needed
    • Intended use of funding
Which organizations could I be matched with?

The Maine Funding Network is comprised of alternative funding sources from all over the state. See the latest list of participating organizations on our Network page.

Is there a limit on the amount of funds I can request?

No, there is no limit to the amount of funds you can request. You should ask for the funding you need. Our funding partners often work together to meet larger requests.

What kind of funding can I request?

The types of funding available are small business loans, equity financing, and innovation grants.

Small business loans or debt financing involves borrowing money from a lender. Businesses can use loans to fund various aspects of their operations, including working capital, expansion, equipment purchases, or real estate acquisitions. Loans come with an agreed-upon interest rate and a repayment schedule. Unlike equity financing, taking a loan means the business retains full ownership, but they have an obligation to repay the borrowed amount.

Equity investment is capital invested in a business in exchange for part ownership (shares) of that company. Equity investors expect that companies will be high growth and working toward an exit plan, likely a sale of the business. There may also be additional requirements such as the creation of a board and information reporting as well as shared decision-making between investors and company management.

Innovation grants support new ideas, devices, or methods with the potential to grow and diversify Maine’s economy. These grants are limited to innovative ideas in seven targeted technology sectors and require one-to-one matching funds.

My match request was approved. Does that mean I am guaranteed funding?

No. An approved match request means that your selected funding match is interested in moving forward with your business and will request that you complete a Common Loan Application.

What information do I need to gather before I complete the Common Loan Application?

Once you’ve completed the funding match form and have connected with your funding match, you will be asked to submit a Common Loan Application with more details about your business. Use our Application Checklist to get ready.

Will I need to submit a business plan with my Common Loan Application?

If you are requesting more than $50,000, you will need to submit a complete business plan will need to be submitted. If you are requesting less than $50,000, you may submit a complete business plan or complete the Business Questionnaire.

Who will need to submit a Personal Financial Statement with the Common Loan Application?

Each applicant, guarantor, and owner who has 20% or greater interest in the business will need to submit a Personal Financial Statement, including personal tax returns for the past three years.

I do not want to submit my demographic information. Do I have to?

No.

What file formats are supported for the document upload section of the application?

Files may be uploaded as a PDF, doc, docx, csv, jpeg, png, xls, xlsm, or xlsx.

If I submit a Common Loan Application to one funding match, do I need to fill out additional applications for other organizations I have selected to match with?

No, you will need to complete only one Common Loan Application.

I am unable to complete the process online. Can I fill out a paper application?

Unfortunately, no. The matching process and Common Loan Application are only available in an online format. However, many of the organizations in the Maine Funding Network offer offline or paper applications.

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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT + MATCHING

Give your dream the opportunity it deserves

Whether you’re a newcomer to the business world or an experienced entrepreneur, our partners can offer guidance on starting your venture.

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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT + MATCHING

Give your dream the opportunity it deserves

Whether you’re a newcomer to the business world or an experienced entrepreneur, our partners can offer guidance on starting your venture.

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Questions?
View our FAQs