New Ventures Maine recently announced the winners of the statewide 2026 Marketing Mini-Grant Competition. Next Wave Preparedness was the $1,000 mini-grant winner for Southern Maine.

Next Wave Preparedness provides emergency preparedness and business advisory services nationwide. The company’s mission is to strengthen preparedness and resilience by delivering agile, relationship-centered emergency management solutions built for what’s next. They support professionals and organizations at every stage (from seasoned emergency managers to leaders building programs from the ground up) by enhancing operations, modernizing systems, and providing trusted guidance to navigate complex challenges with confidence.

“I am humbled to accept this mini-grant on behalf of Next Wave Preparedness,” said CEO and Founder Emily Kaster of Wells. “This grant will strengthen our brand recognition and position us to connect with communities and clients statewide, and across New England, resulting in more prepared communities.”

Next Wave Preparedness will use the grant to implement a targeted marketing initiative designed to expand its regional and national footprint. Funding will support the development of professional printed materials, strategic direct mail outreach, and increased visibility at key state and regional industry conferences and events.

The Southern Maine mini-grant was sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

To learn more, visit Next Wave Preparedness online or follow them on LinkedIn.