Northeastern’s Roux Institute launched a new residency program this week for innovative companies in healthtech, with the aim of creating a thriving ecosystem in Maine that will improve patient care for residents of the Pine Tree State.

The Roux Institute kicked off the Future of Healthcare Founder Residency on Wednesday, welcoming its first cohort of nine companies to Portland. The year-long program is funded by Northern Light Health and MaineHealth, two of Maine’s leading healthcare providers, as well as the Maine Venture Fund. A spinoff of the Roux Institute’s Founder Residency, which focuses on people of color, LGBTQ+ and women-led companies, the Future of Healthcare Founder Residency will catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship in Maine’s healthtech economy.