Startup resources
The startup infrastructure in Maine is extensive, but also daunting. Here’s an overview of the organizations in Maine that work with startups.
Pitch competitions
Gorham Savings Bank’s LaunchPad
https://gorhamsavings.bank/launchpad/about
Annual pitch competition, with $50,000 prize. The application deadline is usually March 31.
Big Gig
https://biggig.org/big-gig
A Bangor-area pitch competition with a grand prize of $5,000.
Greenlight Maine
https://greenlightmaine.com/greenlight
A pitch competition hosted and produced by Julene Gervais, broadcast on Maine Public.
Top Gun
https://mced.biz/top-gun
Organized by Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, Top Gun is a 15-week program, from February to May, that combines hands-on mentoring with high-impact weekly gatherings.
Organizations
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
https://mced.biz/programs
MCE organizes the 15-week Top Gun program, MCE Maine Mentor Program, Food Accelerators, BioStartup, Visionary Leadership Program and the Compass program for Maine’s outdoor industry.
Director: Tom Rainey
SCORE Maine
https://southernmaine.score.org
Working with retired executives, SCORE provides mentoring for entrepreneurs and small-business owners.
Maine leaders: Jonathan Trumper, southern Maine chapter chair; Stephen Veazey, district director; Nancy Strojny, assistant district director
Maine Angels
https://maineangels.org
Invests in entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on Maine businesses
Chair: Ralph Nodine
Maine Technology Institute
https://mainetechnology.org
MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments and services to support Maine’s innovation economy.
Director: Brian Whitney
Maine Venture Fund
https://maineventurefund.com
Invests in dynamic businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact in Maine.
Director: Joe Powers
Finance Authority of Maine
https://famemaine.com/about
FAME offers a wide array of business assistance programs, ranging from traditional loan insurance programs for both small and larger businesses, to investment tax credits.
Interim director: Carlos Mello
Small Business Development Center
https://mainesbdc.org/about
SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small businesses through no-cost confidential business advising and training.
Director: Mark Delisle
Coastal Maine Enterprises
https://ceimaine.org
A leading community development financial institution, CEI helps to create good jobs, environmentally sustainable enterprises and more broadly shared prosperity in Maine and rural regions throughout the U.S.
CEO: Betsy Biemann
CEI Women’s Business Center
https://ceimaine.org/advising/business/womens-business-center
Offers courses, cohorts, workshops and events which encourage peer-to-peer learning and community building, as well as 1:1 business advising support.
Director: Sarah Guerette
Tortoise Labs
https://tortoiselabs.com
As Maine’s rural product studio, it works with ambitious entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into profitable apps, products and services.
Director: Nick Rimsa
Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
https://welcomeimmigrant.org
A hub of collaboration that strengthens the immigrant community through language acquisition, economic integration and civic engagement.
Director: Reza Jalali
New Ventures Maine
https://newventuresmaine.org
With free classes and individual coaching, helps people find good jobs, start or return to college, launch small businesses, manage their money and build their assets.
Director: Janet Smith
Black Owned Maine
https://blackownedmaine.com
Publishes a directory of Black-owned businesses
Director: Rose Barboza
Maine International Trade Center
https://mitc.com/about
MITC offers customized consulting, research, and an extensive network of connections across Maine and around the world to help businesses expand global markets for their products and services.
Director: Wade Merritt
Indus Fund
https://theindusfund.com
Working with cPort Credit Union, it expands the capabilities and business possibilities of immigrant New Mainers by making microloans more readily available and affordable.
Founder / managing partner: Kerem Durdag
Brunswick Landing
https://mrra.us/brunswick-landing
Located on a 3,200-acre former Navy base, Brunswick Landing is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial space and aviation complex.
Director: Kristine Logan
TechPlace
https://techplacemaine.us
Supports the small business development needs of early-stage companies, offering a place to network with other innovators, research and develop ideas, build prototypes, test products, assemble, grow, learn and become successful manufacturing and technology companies.
Director: Jaimie Logan
Island Institute
https://islandinstitute.org/about
Works collaboratively to help Maine’s island and coastal communities tackle the most pressing environmental and socio-economic issues.
Director: Tony Chatwin
Small Business Administration, Maine district office
https://sba.gov/offices/district/me/augusta/about-us
The district office is responsible for the delivery of SBA’s programs and services to all 16 counties of Maine.
Director: Diane Sturgeon
Portland Office of Economic Opportunity
https://portlandmaine.gov/2108/Office-of-Economic-Opportunity
Works collaboratively to assure access for disadvantaged populations, including immigrants/refugees.
Dirigo Labs
https://dirigolabs.org
An offshoot of Central Maine Growth Council, the startup accelerator offers mentors and advisors in business, academia and venture capital.
Director: Susan Ruhlin
New England Ocean Cluster
https://newenglandoceancluster.com
Connect ocean-minded people with industry knowledge to help ensure opportunity is pursued inclusively, economically and sustainably.
CEO: Patrick Arnold
Roux Institute
https://roux.northeastern.edu
Northeastern University’s Portland graduate campus offers an annual accelerator program with Techstars, as well as a founder residency program and an entrepreneurship immersion program.
Leadership: Margaret Angell, head of partnerships and strategic initiatives; Chris Mallett, chief administrative officer; Chris Wolfel, director of entrepreneurship
Startup Maine
https://startupmaine.org/whats-new
Hosts regular networking events, including monthly meetups and introductions to various programs
President: Katie Shorey
University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation
https://umaine.edu/innovation
A base for UMaine programs and services that support entrepreneurship, business development and commercialization of university research, the center offers academic courses in innovation open to both undergraduate and graduate students and is home to a student business incubator.
Leadership: Renee Kelly, assistant vice president for innovation and economic development
Maine Accelerates Growth
https://maineacceleratesgrowth.weebly.com
MxG is a network of organizations committed to building an inclusive ecosystem to support innovators and businesses to scale in Maine and beyond.
Coordinator: Liz Trice
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