Startup momentum is strong in Bangor, which hosts an annual entrepreneurship conference called Blitz taking place this year on Sept. 28 at the Bangor Arts Exchange.
Startup momentum is strong in Bangor, which hosts an annual entrepreneurship conference called Blitz taking place this year on Sept. 28 at the Bangor Arts Exchange.
Started five years ago by Leslie Poake and Jason Harkins, the gathering typically draws around 100 around attendees, mostly from the area. The formula changed during the pandemic, with three virtual events in 2020 funded by a grant from Machias Savings Bank.
The conference pitches itself to entrepreneurs of all stripes.
“We’re excited to be back downtown in a single location,” says conference organizer Ashleigh Briggs. “A lot of people for whatever reason don’t associate Bangor with scalable startups, but a lot of business and entrepreneurship is happening here.”
The all-day event will include workshops on a variety of topics, networking and a keynote presentation by Lisa Steele, a Dixmont-based backyard chicken keeper, author, founder of the Fresh Eggs Daily blog and a maker of food supplements for chicken and ducks.
“We felt Lisa was a great representative of someone who built a business and can inspire others as they travel on their own entrepreneurial journey,” Briggs says.
