Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC)

About this program

Maine Technology Institute’s Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) subsidizes short-term expert consulting and provides free Coursera generative AI training to help Maine small businesses improve marketing, finance, legal, software and other operations. MERC covers 50% of vetted Maine-based consultant fees for projects typically up to three months, capped at $15,000 annually and $30,000 over a business’s participation, and offers a curated AI learning path. Eligible applicants must be Maine-based organizations with under $5 million in annual revenue, demonstrate an innovation within one of MTI’s seven targeted technology sectors that will create additional economic impact in Maine, and have access to matching funds; projects require MTI approval and selection of a MERC-approved consultant.