How We Invest
For nearly 30 years
we have been investing in companies that generate positive social, environmental and financial returns in across the country that have been overlooked by traditional VC firms, with a focus on the Northeast.
Our experience demonstrates that great business ideas aren’t limited by location, gender or race and that investing in good jobs is a win for both the company and its employees.
We focus our investments on dynamic, socially minded companies that exhibit a dual potential for high growth and positive community impact, particularly those that:
Create good jobs and wealth building opportunities for workers
with an emphasis on jobs targeted to people with low-to-moderate incomes, in alignment with CEI’s Good Jobs Framework.
Are located in markets with more limited access to equity capital
including rural areas and small cities.
Are led by individuals underserved
by the current equity markets, including people of color, women and veterans.
Increase the availability of environmentally sustainable products/services
that preserve natural resources, reduce waste/pollution or increase the adoption of renewable energy/clean technology.
Strong investment candidates will also exhibit:
Create good jobs and wealth building opportunities for workers
with an emphasis on jobs targeted to people with low-to-moderate incomes, in alignment with CEI’s Good Jobs Framework.
Prospects for attractive returns
with an appealing market opportunity, realistic projections, appropriate valuation, and pragmatic exit plan.
A competitive advantage
through proprietary interest in technology, intellectual property, distribution system or other unique attribute.
A deep commitment to social benefits
including quality employment opportunities and environmental stewardship. Each portfolio company is required to sign a social agreement, securing a commitment to promote CEI’s mission.
A viable exit plan
within a reasonable time frame.
Learn more about Venture Capital
Through our funds, CEI Ventures provides high-impact investments to growth businesses that otherwise lack access to venture capital investment and may not have connections to advisors who can guide them toward a financial product that is right for their company. Unlike traditional lenders, CEI Ventures provides equity investments, which differ significantly from amortizing term loans.
To assist prospective and current investees in accessing our financial products, we offer an annual in-depth workshop (in-person, remote, or hybrid) that covers:
- The venture capital fund’s structure
- The financial products offered
- The utility of financial products for specific business circumstances
- The methods of assessing investee businesses’ financial health,
- Investment parameters
- Investment exit strategies, and
- The investment fund’s Good Jobs strategy, which stresses the importance of paying workers a living wage, offering basic benefits including health care coverage and paid leave, and providing a fair and engaging workplace with access to training programs that enable workers to earn wage increases and improve skills. CEI Ventures places priority on investing in businesses that incorporate these principles
To inquire about our annual workshop, please contact us via the button below.
Talk to Us About Your Project or
Reach Out About Our Annual Workshop
Our Portfolio
Coastal Ventures V LP
The “Good Jobs Fund”
Coastal Ventures V LP
Vintage:
2021
Fund Size:
$21.421 million
Status:
Seeking Projects for Investment
Fund Focus:
Quality Job Creation/LMI Impact/Environmentally Sustainable Enterprises
Footprint:
National, with a focus on the Northeast
Portfolio
Tanbark
Tanbark designs and manufactures non-plastic packaging solutions made from sustainably produced biomass that are compostable and recyclable.
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BlueTrace
Digital Shellfish Tagging, Traceability & Compliance. BlueTrace is the only tagging, traceability, and compliance technology designed specifically for the shellfish…
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RockStep Solutions
RockStep’s flagship “Climb™” software was trademarked and targeted to pharmaceutical companies to use for improving drug development processes. Climb is…
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OurPeople
OurPeople was founded in 2015 by Ross McCaw in Bristol, UK with its US headquarters in Portland, Maine. The company…
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88 acres
88 Acres was founded by husband-and-wife team, Nicole Ledoux and Rob Dalton, in 2012. Rob, who has a severe nut…
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Good to Go Inc.
Good to Go Inc. is a camping food business started by award winning chef, Jennifer Scism, and her husband, David…
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Circa
Circa is a mobile and web-based platform that reimagines the way we pay rent, prioritizing choice, convenience, inclusion, and respect.…
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Senscio Systems
Senscio Systems is a virtual chronic health management company addressing the needs of individuals suffering from multiple chronic conditions. Senscio’s…
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Defendify
An all-in-one SaaS-based cybersecurity solution with 13 cybersecurity tools in 1 seamless platform backed by support and expertise.
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HighByte
HighByte is an industrial software development company in Portland, Maine building solutions that address the data architecture and integration challenges…
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Aqua ViTea
Using only premium teas and ingredients, Aqua ViTea produces authentic, non-alcoholic Kombucha – to be enjoyed by all.
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MedRhythms
Creators of a digital therapy platform aimed at measuring and improving someone’s ability to walk after they have experienced a…
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Ogee Inc.
Ogee Inc. is a luxury, certified-organic skincare brand. The company uses premier ingredients and the latest scientific technologies to formulate…
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Coastal Ventures IV LP
Coastal Ventures IV LP
Vintage:
2015
Fund Size:
$10.145 Million
Status:
Fully Invested, Growth Phase
Fund Focus:
Quality Job Creation/LMI Impact/Environmentally Sustainable Enterprises
Footprint:
National, with investments in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Florida
Portfolio
Constant Energy Capital
Constant is a Portland-based fintech that provides ground-breaking, automated loss mitigation solutions to lenders including banks, fintechs and independents. Their…
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Culture Fresh Foods Inc.
Culture Fresh Foods Inc. produces plant-based milks, yogurts, and creamers.
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Dream Local Digital
Founded in 2009, Dream Local Digital is a growing digital advertising agency with a strong focus on social media. Dream…
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CourseStorm Inc
CourseStorm was founded in 2012, a web development firm with deep ties to educational organizations, municipalities, and non-profits. CourseStorm is…
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Mobile Price Card
Mobile Price Card (MPC) is a mobile application that displays prices on the screens of smartphones and tablets already on…
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Junora LTD
Junora is a new start up company involved in the manufacturing of high purity and specialty alloy sputtering targets used in…
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Ogee Inc.
Ogee Inc. is a luxury, certified-organic skincare brand. The company uses premier ingredients and the latest scientific technologies to formulate…
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Research Enhanced Design + Development, Inc
R.e.d.d. develops and sells plant-based superfood energy bars.
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NBT Solutions
NBT Solutions is a Maine based Software as a Service (SaaS) provider of GIS mapping software for the internet service…
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Genicon Inc.
Genicon (“the company”) is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of disposable medical instruments used in Laparoscopic, or minimally invasive…
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Maine Craft Distilling
Maine Craft Distilling (MCD) produces super-premium, craft spirits in the “Yeast (East) Bayside” neighborhood of Portland, Maine.
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Pika Energy Inc.
Build revolutionary products to capture and manage clean power
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Tilson Technology Management
Tilson’s network deployment group designs and builds fiber and wireless networks for wireless and wireline carriers, utilities, and government agencies.…
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Coastal Ventures III LP
Coastal Ventures III LP
Vintage:
2011
Fund Size:
$10.135 million
Status:
Fully Invested, Exit Phase
Fund Focus:
Quality Job Creation/LMI Impact/Environmentally Sustainable Enterprises
Footprint:
National, with investments in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Utah
Portfolio
Avia Biosystems
Chemical denaturation techniques for large scale protein stability studies
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Designs, manufactures and sells backpacks, tents, and accessories
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Mingle Analytics
Software product helps healthcare practitioners comply with complex and rapidly evolving Medicare quality reporting requirements
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Ektron Inc.
Software products and services, web content management, digital experience management
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PenBay Solutions
GIS mapping solutions for facility management and public safety
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Native Energy
Developer of green energy projects and vendor of carbon offset credits
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Certify, Inc.
Developer of corporate travel and expense management software
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Tilson Technology Management
Tilson’s network deployment group designs and builds fiber and wireless networks for wireless and wireline carriers, utilities, and government agencies.…
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SciAps Inc
Portable analytical instrumentation company dedicated to inventing, engineering, providing, and servicing portable instruments to measure any compound, mineral, or element
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The Gelato Fiasco
Producer of artisan Gelato using only Maine milk and all natural ingredients
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Rustic Crust
Producer of Rustic Crust and American Flatbread brand all-natural and organic frozen pizza products
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Wentworth Technology Inc.
Producer of noise cancelling head-set systems for restaurant drive thrus
Coastal Ventures II LLC
Coastal Ventures II LLC
Vintage:
2001
Fund Size:
$20 million
Status:
Fully Exited/Fund Closed
Fund Focus:
Quality Job Creation/LMI Impact/Environmentally Sustainable Enterprises
Footprint:
National, with investments in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania
Portfolio
SmartPak Equine
Custom packaged equine supplements, canine food, supplies
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RedZone Wireless
Wireless broadband Internet service in underserved Maine communities
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Stillwater Scientific Instruments
Axial-time-of-flight electron mass spectrometers
Sun & Earth
All natural non-toxic cleaning products for home & offices
RecruiterNet
Projectix applicant tracking & staffing workflow software
Metrobility Optical Systems
Optical solutions for network infrastructure
Look’s Gourmet Food
Bar Harbor & Atlantic seafoods, meats, chowders & specialty products
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Juno Rising
Technical outdoor apparel for women under the brand name Isis
Innov-X Systems
High performance x-ray fluorescence analyzers
HomeBistro Foods
Gourmet chef prepared meals for home delivery
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Foreside Company
Imported home furnishings
Chomp
All natural treats for dogs & cats packaged as the YipYap, Sniffers & Pit’r Pat brands
Definition6 [fka Synaptic Digital fka The NewsMarket]
Global multimedia communications production services & distribution platform
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NextMark
Mailing list research systems for the direct marketing industry
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BlueTarp Financial
Commercial credit services to the building materials industry
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HCI Systems
Building Blocks facilities asset management software
Chemogen
Develops novel diagnostic tests for Tuberculosis
Coastal Ventures Limited Partnership
Coastal Ventures Limited Partnership
Vintage:
1996
Fund Size:
$5.54 million
Status:
Fully Exited/Fund Closed
Fund Focus:
Quality Job Creation/LMI Impact/Environmentally Sustainable Enterprises
Footprint:
National, with investments in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, California
Portfolio
New England 800 dba Taction
Provides inbound & outbound customer contact center services
Bush Equities dba Cuddledown
Direct markets & manufactures superior quality down products & luxury bedding
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Soleras
Sputter targets & other consumables for vacuum coating industry
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New England Audio Resource
High quality indoor & outdoor audio speakers
Intellicare America
Medical contact centers network
HCI Systems
Building Blocks facilities asset management software
FreeBorders fka Animated Images (Camden ME)
Design-to-delivery graphic software solution for apparel industry
EnvisionNet Computer Services
Technical support & customer care contact center for tech-based businesses
eCopy fka Simplify Development
Digital document solutions for integration into business applications. Acquired by Nuance Communications as part of its Document Imaging Division. Kofax…
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CV Finer Foods
World Harbors makes marinades, sauces and drink mixers that are distributed nationwide. Originally founded in Winthrop in 1990 as C.V.…
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Cormier Textile Products
Converted industrial fabrics into protective sheeting, tarps, blankets, relief shelters. Assets purchased by Custom Banner of Rochester, NH in 2001.
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Clickshare Service
Micro-payment aggregator for web-based digital content providers
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CitySoft
Enterprise software for nonprofits, educational institutions & social sector organizations
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BroadcastAmerica.com
Internet streaming for broadcast radio stations
Beacon Analytical Systems
Since 1996, Beacon Analytical, the USA’s #1 ELISA kits manufacturer, has specialized in the production of immunodiagnostic test kits for…
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A&B Electronics
Rapper coils for pollution control industry
Navigator Publishing
Professional Mariner magazine has been a valuable resource for the owners and operators of commercial maritime vessels of all types…
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Maine Trailer
Sells, leases, repairs and services storage & over-the-road trailers
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Coast of Maine Organic Products
Produces organically certified soils, composts, barks, mulches & fertilizers
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Chemogen
Develops novel diagnostic tests for Tuberculosis