New Ventures Maine has announced open applications for its Spring 2022 Marketing Mini-grant competition.

The program aims to strengthen access to markets for micro-businesses by supporting the development of marketing tools, materials and activities. New Ventures Maine will award cash minigrants — up to $1,000 per region in six defined regions — to microenterprises for marketing projects through a competitive application process.

Applications are due Friday, May 6.

Eligible applicants include individual micro-business owners, business partners, or groups of business owners. Businesses apply to the region in which they are based; those in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties can apply to Karleen Andrews, 207-557-1885 or karleen.andrews@maine.edu.

Application criteria include five or fewer full-time equivalent employees, sales in the current calendar year, and gross annual sales of no more than $150,000.

New Ventures Maine’s minigrants support new or expanded business marketing and promotion. Winning grants must be matched by a 25% contribution which can come from business profits, personal funds, or other sources.