Northeastern University

This EDA investment will support the Roux Institute of Northeastern University – an economic development engine for Maine, merging learning, research, and entrepreneurship to create economic opportunities in the state. Seed to Scale will build on the institution’s existing Founder Residency program to develop a series of longitudinal supports that will focus on assisting underrepresented founders (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and female) launch and grow scalable technology businesses in Maine. Underrepresented founders face unique challenges when starting venture-scale businesses.  In addition to expanding existing education programming to deliver entrepreneurial thinking to communities in rural Maine, this project will also engage Coastal Enterprises though a partnership to run idea-stage programming designed for female founders.

The proposed set of programs will allow Seed to Scale to reach a wide population and need the needs of entrepreneurs at a variety of stages in their journey: education, idea incubation, launch, and acceleration. Participants are anticipated, cumulatively, to raise $116M+ in capital and create 700+ high-quality technology-based jobs over the next three years.