Like their clients, Maine entrepreneur support programs learn to operate online

Courtesy / University of Maine The University of Maine Office of Innovation and Economic Development held an online “COVID-19 edition” of Big Gig’s pitch-off event in August. This screenshot shows all of the judges and pitchers.

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By Laurie Schreiber

The University of Maine’s statewide network of entrepreneur and startup support programs, along with the entrepreneurs they coach, are pivoting their own models so they can survive and thrive through the pandemic.

“When COVID hit, we realized we had to adjust our support services,” Veena Dinesh, director of business incubation with UMaine’s office of innovation and economic development, told Mainebiz. “We pivoted to an online model.”

UMaine runs or is involved with programs such as the Maine Innovation, Research and Technology Accelerator program; the Bangor cohort of Top Gun, a statewide startup cultivation program founded by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs in Portland; and Big Gig, a program of UpStart Maine in Orono.

Even before the pandemic, UMaine’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development offered business coaching virtually because the client base is across the state. So the transition of other programs was not too difficult, Dinesh said.

“We were more worried about the engagement aspect” of communicating online versus in person, she said. “But it’s interesting to see how everyone has adapted so well to this. And I see people are interacting more online using the chat and breakout room features. Given the situation, everyone has adapted well and the engagement is pretty good.”

The office extended the length of programs like Big Gig and Top Gun. Both were originally scheduled to wrap up in the spring with pitch competitions and showcases. The programs were extended to December.

“We thought these companies would need help beyond June,” she said. “They’re all trying to figure out their business models.”

Courtesy / University of Maine

Veena Dinesh

Going online resulted in a positive development when it removed geographic constraints for companies, mentors, speakers and judges to be able to participate in the programs, she added.

The office adjusted its workshops to help startups operate in a new environment.

“Many are looking for e-commerce solutions for their businesses,” she said.

And the office became an information clearinghouse.

“Most of the companies we work with are early-stage, so they’re probably not members of the chamber of commerce,” she said. “It was important for us to be a resource that would continually give updates on things like distancing guidance and loans.”

Entrepreneurs made various moves to adapt.

• Coffee Hound Coffee Co. of Bangor pivoted away from a brick-and-mortar café that accounted for 70% of their income to focus on online sales. In August, it won a special “COVID-19 edition” of Big Gig and is part of the Top Gun Bangor region accelerator class that went virtual in March.

• KinoTek in Portland makes injury risk-assessment software that originally targeted the athletic market. “They were in the process of getting equity investment,” said Dinesh. When the pandemic started, investment opportunities fell away as sports disappeared. Now KinoTek is targeting and has received great response from physical therapists and medical professionals, she said.

• Bub’n Mutha’s, a maker of barbecue spice blends in Winter Harbor, originally worked with retail stores but has shifted to e-commerce sales and hired an search engine optimization specialist to help with online marketing. The moves resulted in sales that have increased quite a bit compared with a year ago, Dinesh said.

• Wilcox Wellness & Fitness in Bangor and Brunswick, a Top Gun alum, shifted to online fitness classes.

“I have to say that most of the companies have emerged beautifully out of this,” she said. “They accepted the fact that, yes, they’re in crisis mode but they’re going to figure it out day by day and then get to the next stage.”

Dinesh anticipates that support services will continue to be offered online this fall.

“We don’t know how long this will go for,” she said of the pandemic. “But given some of the positive effects of how we’ve pivoted to an online model, as a service provider we feel we’re ready to continue in the same format.”

New dates have been set for online pitch competitions: Big Gig finale, Tuesday, Oct. 6; 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Bangor Top Gun showcase, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

In addition, there's a new online pitch competition, Buoy Maine. Its prize money is intended to help seafood and tourism businesses not only survive the pandemic but also to strengthen coastal communities. For more information, click here.