From coffee talk to pitch-deck improv: Startup Maine gears up for packed event in May

File Photo / Renee Cordes Startup Maine President Katie Shorey, far right, leading the kickoff panel at last year’s Startup Maine Week.

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By Renee Cordes

From morning coffee meetups to evening improv for entrepreneurs, the organizers of Startup Maine Week are planning another packed agenda for this year’s edition. It will take place from May 19-22 in Portland.

Katie Shorey, president of Startup Maine, told Mainebiz that the volunteer-run nonprofit expects to sell between 400 and 500 tickets. As of last week, registrations are “steady,” she said.

“I expect the registrations to really pick up in the next four to five weeks,” she added. “We have something for everyone.”

The four-day event will include a kick-off event at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland for its Founder Residency Venture Showcase and feature a keynote speech by Theo Balcomb, a journalist who created "The Daily" podcast for the New York Times.

Sessions will mainly take place at the Roux Institute at 100 Fore St. and the Maine Center at 300 Fore St., plus a few other venues. Speakers will cover a range of topics from mastering the art of pitching to investors, to preparing for acquisition or exit strategies.

There will also be time for fun, including an evening "BattleDecks" event on May 20 in which participants will have three minutes to pitch an imaginary startup using slides they have never seen before. The conference will wrap up with a closing party happy hour at the Porthole restaurant, followed by a boat cruise on Casco Bay,

“We’ve had a few slight updates to the program,” Shorey said last week. "I’ve been working with the Maine Angels and the Finance authority of Maine to put together an investor track promotion,” Shorey said. An invitation-only lunch for investors is also being planned.

“Whether you’re building a business or just dreaming up an idea, this event is for people who want to connect to the startup community," she noted.

Shorey, a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree in 2023, is also director of engagement for Live + Work in Maine.

More information

Find the full Startup Maine Week program agenda here and purchase tickets here.

Our report on last year's conference

The good, the tough and the needed: 10 takeaways from Startup Maine Week

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