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Ashleigh Briggs
Updated: December 19, 2023
Maine's entrepreneurship ecosystem continues growing with new KVCC program
Maine’s startup ecosystem is in something of a golden age. Programs are proliferating from Portland to Presque Isle for entrepreneurs considering Maine as a place to start or grow a business.
This year, there are new offerings that reflect a growing diversity of approaches, including Blue w(AI)ve, a 16-week accelerator program said to be first-of-its-kind, to help early-stage companies that use artificial intelligence in ocean-based applications; and Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a startup accelerator with a focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Now Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, has unveiled a new business entrepreneurship program that will start in January.
The free, four-month program will focus on the basics of starting a business, including developing a business plan, figuring out the target market, projecting finances and designing a business pitch.
“We are partnering with other entrepreneurship programs and accelerators in the Central Maine region to keep building on the great community and ecosystem developing here,” said Joe Musumeci, the college’s director of workforce training and professional development.
“For our role, we really wanted to create something with a low barrier of entry to get started with a business of your own. Even if someone has a full-time job or caretaking role, they can access this training and work towards being an entrepreneur.”
The program, funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, consists of weekly Zoom meetings in the evening, led by Bangor-based entrepreneur Ashleigh Briggs, owner of Briggs Solutions for Business.
Between meetings, participants will complete activities and assignments to increase their business knowledge, learn about available local resources, and move closer to building or advancing their business ideas.
“As an experienced entrepreneur and business owner myself, I understand the challenges and rewards of starting and growing a business,” said Briggs. “Through our weekly Zoom meetings, we will cover all the crucial aspects of building a successful business, including strategic planning, market identification, and financial forecasting.”
The program is targeted to those who want to start a business but do not know where to start or those who have a current business but would like some more formal education on these topics. That could include Mainers who are already running side hustles or business activities in their spare time, if they are looking to grow it into something bigger.
“Many of the trainees we have worked with around the state have told us that finding work with flexible hours or that puts less physical stress on their bodies is a priority,” said Musumeci. “This program strives to help support anyone along that journey to take it to the next level.”
For more information, click here or call 207-453-5083.
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