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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 9 From the Editor M aine seems to have no shortage of ideas for new businesses. As this issue focused on Startups and Entrepreneurs shows, there is also a wide range of resources for entrepreneurs. For our cover story, Senior Writer Renee Cordes visited an operation that a year ago was on the ropes. Fork Food Lab in Portland was on the verge of closing, with its New York-based owner offering no explanation for why the incuba- tor of small food companies was not working. In stepped Bill Seretta, a Yarmouth nonprofit leader. ese days, as Renee reports, Fork Food Lab is a hub of activity, with Fyood Kitchen, North Spore Mushrooms, Plucked Fresh Salsa and a couple dozen others working there. Seretta is still raising money to cover past losses and looking for a loca- tion that better suits the mission, but Fork Food Lab has reasserted its position as a place where entrepreneurs can develop food products. "is is important because we tend to overlook the value of small, individual companies," he says. e story starts on Page 18. In Waterville, Senior Writer Maureen Milliken spent time at Summer Startup, a men- toring pro- gram for young entrepreneurs. Drawing on students from omas and Colby colleges, the program aims to help foster startups but also help Waterville retain some of those entrepreneurs after graduation. Nick Rimsa, co-founder of the Bricks Coworking space and the Summer Startup program, is himself a Colby graduate who at one time had his sights on Los Angeles. Now, "I'm sticking around," he says. "I love working in this place." See Page 26. In Orono, a good idea growing up on the University of Maine's campus is the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship, which offers space at a reduced rate and lunch-and-learn sessions with like-minded go-getters. It recently added two lab spaces, built at a cost of $850,000. All with the aim of marshalling the collective brain power. "People think of entrepreneurs as lonely. But it's really a team sport," says Martha Bentley, a state economic development official. See Page 30. is issue features two lists. Women-owned businesses is on Page 34, while the list of the largest investments by Maine Technology Institute is on Page 42. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz In the 2019 Mainebiz Fact Book, in the list of Maine's largest brewers, on Page 102, a Brunswick brewer should have been listed as Moderation Brewing. Correction Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our top content from the weeks between Aug. 12–26. 1. Suddenly, several Portland eateries shut their doors 2. GO Lab closes deal for Madison paper mill 3. Queen City revival: Downtown Bangor's redevelopment continues on Exchange Street 4. Waterville's F3 MFG targets 25% job growth, $40M in sales for 2020 5. 11 Maine companies make Inc. 5000, while WEX makes Fortune list 6. Restaurant Rockstars consultant joins partnership to buy North Yarmouth café 7. 100 businesses make Maine 'Best Places to Work' list 8. Driving in the fast lane, VIP Tires changes up management team 9. Former Maine landfills finding new life with solar development 10. Maine is No. 1 for women's equality in workplace, politics P H O T O / W I L L I A M H A L L 1 Be smart. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you need someone committed to raising the bar, not just passing it. No shortage of startup ideas — or help for entrepreneurs People think of entrepreneurs as lonely. But it's really a team sport. — Martha Bentley state economic development official

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