The nonprofit Maine Technology Institute awarded $101,599 in seed grants Monday to nine companies that want to grow and that leveraged $204,332 in private donations.

Grants of as much as $12,500 are awarded six times a year and require matching donations. The grants fund research and development for new services and products. The next round of applications is due Aug. 12.

Swan’s Way of Camden will do market research for a line of frozen desserts beyond Maine and examine the effect that the growth might have on manufacturing technology. The award and the matching donation are $7,875 apiece.

Grow-Tech LLC of Lisbon Falls will design, test, make and install a vacuum plug-drying unit for FlexiPlugs, used by growers in horticulture, forestry and hydroponics. The award is $12,500, and the match is $22,500.

Mitokine Bioscience LLC of Hancock will extend studies of new treatments for chronic disease using mouse models. The award is $12,414, and the match is $21,465.

The University of Maine will develop a mobile biochemical analysis system for data collection and analysis equipment, integrating complete biomedical information in a single system. The award is $12,500, and the match is $58,000.

Callinectes Boatworks LLC of Kennebunkport will use its grant to develop production multiconfiguration deck molds to support the flexible manufacturing of infused composite decks for its Callinectes 16 Runabout. The award is $8,800, and the match is $9,500.

Falcon Performance Footwear of Lewiston will design a composite safety toe cap production system in collaboration with UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. The award is $10,010, and the match is $10,845.

Organic Alchemy Composting LLC of Portland will develop a process to transform organic waste into high-quality compost. The award is $12,500, and the match is $30,480.

Chimani LLC of Yarmouth will develop maps for Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Cuyahoga Valley, Yellowstone and Great Smokey Mountain national parks as part of a line of mobile applications for travel guides. The award and the match are $12,500.

Gorham’s Montalvo Corp., maker of clutching and braking systems used in manufacturing, will support the design and demonstration of a new universal tension controller. The award is $12,500, and the match is $31,167.

 

Staff Writer Stephanie Hardiman can be contacted at 791-6301 or at: shardiman@pressherald.com