University of Maine logoThe University of Maine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation is seeking motivated, innovative Maine college students and Maine companies that want to make a difference for the state through the Blackstone Accelerates Growth (BxG) Innovate for Maine Fellows program, supported by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.

The BxG Innovate for Maine Fellows program connects the best and brightest Maine college students with the state’s most exciting, growing companies as a way to grow and create jobs in Maine through innovation and entrepreneurship. The program, which is now accepting applications, offers paid internships that place students with companies to receive training in innovation and entrepreneurship, and real-world job experience. Other benefits include potential academic credit and networking opportunities with Maine businesses and other students.

Applications are also available for Maine companies looking for summer interns. Companies selected to participate in this program are able to get the help they need to accelerate innovation projects and grow their business. Trained innovation experts guide and mentor both the student and the company for the duration of the project.
The BxG Innovate for Maine Fellows program will match fellows with companies that are developing innovative new products or services, and seeking to significantly grow revenues and employment. Based on company size, the initiative will assist companies with matching funds to support a fellow.

Innovate for Maine fellows participate in an intensive week of preparation before beginning their internships. The mandatory “boot camp” includes training in UMaine’s cutting-edge program in Innovation Engineering, a systematic process for developing breakthrough innovations. In addition, students learn more about Maine’s entrepreneurial landscape and the Blackstone Accelerates Growth project, and network with entrepreneurial leaders.

Blackstone Accelerates Growth (BxG) creates jobs and economic development in Maine through entrepreneurship and growth. It works with partners to create statewide programs with coordinated, focused activities to accelerate companies, connections and the next generation of Maine entrepreneurs. It operates as part of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, a $50 million Entrepreneurship Initiative to support innovative programs that drive job creation.
“There are a number of Maine companies developing new innovations that are eager for talented students who understand the innovation process,” said Renee Kelly, co-director of the Foster Center. “By matching students trained in Innovation Engineering with these companies, we hope to help the companies grow while helping Maine students see that there are great opportunities to work and stay in Maine after they graduate.”
The application deadline for both fellows and companies is March 1, 2014.
The BxG Innovate for Maine Fellows program is open to students who are matriculated in a degree program, attending any college in Maine or residents attending college elsewhere.
Fellows can work full time or part time during the summer and/or part time during the academic year.
For more information and applications for the Innovate for Maine program go to foster.target.maine.edu/2-uncategorised/207-innovate-for-maine-fellows-program.
For more information about UMaine’s Innovation Engineering program visit foster.target.maine.edu/educators/what-is-innovation-engineering.
For more information about Blackstone Accelerates Growth go to blackstonegrowth.com.

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