As global challenges demand smarter solutions, a bold new collaboration in Maine is reimagining how universities, entrepreneurs and the arts build the future – together.
The University of Southern Maine (USM) and the New England Ocean Cluster (NEOC) have formally launched a new public-private partnership focused on commercialization, applied research, and economic transformation in Maine. Building on a decade of collaboration, this next chapter deepens the connection between academic innovation and real-world business needs. Over the past ten years, NEOC has supported entrepreneurs across sectors—from biomaterials and clean tech to aquaculture, consumer goods, and marine biotech—helping turn ocean challenges into market-ready solutions.
Under the partnership, NEOC leaders Patrick Arnold and Chris Cary have joined the USM team charged with building out the university’s Office of Commercialization. They will retain their leadership roles at NEOC, continuing to steward its programming and community while serving as a strategic bridge between the university and the private sector.
“We are celebrating ten years of USM and NEOC working together by growing our partnership,” said USM President Jacqueline Edmondson. “This is part of our vision for USM to be a critical asset to the regional economy, to connect our faculty and students to meaningful work, and to ensure innovation thrives across every discipline.”
USM and NEOC are co-branding programs under the “Transforming the Blue Economy” initiative, which focuses on value-adding to Maine’s natural resources while creating a launchpad for businesses that are socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable following a triple bottom line framework.
“Commercialization is not just about startups or patents—it’s about translating ideas into impact,” said Patrick Arnold, Founder of NEOC and Director of Commercialization at USM. “We believe the businesses of the future will be built with AI—but also with the imagination of the humanities, the rigor of science, the insight of law, and the creativity of the arts.”
Amid changing federal research funding landscapes, the NEOC-USM partnership is designed to position Maine at the forefront of applied research by:
- Supporting industry-aligned R&D to give local businesses a competitive edge
- Creating commercialization pathways for faculty research and student-led ventures
- Generating new products and services that value-add to Maine’s natural resources
- Providing entrepreneurs with tools to build into a zero-waste, circular economy
Looking Ahead
As this initiative accelerates, it is actively transforming how innovation becomes impact. By equipping entrepreneurs, students, and faculty with the resources, networks, and guidance to bring ideas to market, the partnership is fostering the launch of scalable, ethical businesses grounded in Maine’s unique strengths. From sustainable products to tech-driven solutions, these ventures are designed to deliver measurable outcomes for people, planet, and profit. It’s a bold, collaborative model for building a more resilient and inclusive economy—one that invites visionary partners to help shape what comes next.
To learn more or explore partnership opportunities, contact:
Patrick Arnold
Director of Commercialization, University of Southern Maine
Founder, New England Ocean Cluster
patrick.arnold@maine.edu