Mainebiz Special Editions

V O L . X X V I I I N O. X I I I § 2 S tarting a business is never easy. But, with a host of program- ming, mentoring programs and pitch competitions, Maine offers a range of resources for startups. "ere's never been a better time to launch a new business in Maine. ere's a wealth of support through- out the state. ere are organizations to offer everything from free advice on just a nugget of an idea to training and education and advanced knowledge and data to get you to the next level," says Tom Rainey, executive director for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. e boom in entrepreneurial services and organizations, the level of funding and support for new businesses, the national attention of Maine's livability and attractive- ness that brings new talent, as well as fixtures such as the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland help make now the perfect time to be an entrepreneur in Maine. "Maine is by far the most orga- nized when it comes to entrepreneur- ship. It's organized chaos sometimes and there's still the risk of programs overlapping but to the extent that we can, we coordinate," Rainey says. "e whole ecosystem for startups is very collaborative in Maine. e groups don't have to compete because there's more need and demand than any one of us can serve," says Nancy Strojny, SCORE Maine's assistant district director. Mentoring helps coach businesses for growth Entrepreneurs can get tunnel vision and finding a mentor can help bring perspective to a product or business. "Mentorship is the single most important factor for business suc- cess," says Strojny. "When you're a solo entrepreneur, your family and S TA R T U P S — E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P / P RO G R A M I N G S U P P O R T Tom Rainey, center, executive director for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, a key gateway to the startup infrastructure, with Nikki Strout, left, Taylor Strout and Chris Cary of Maine Salt Farm. They're outside the New England Ocean Cluster in Portland. F O C U S J U N E 2 7 , 2 0 2 2 8 P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY There's never been a better time to launch a new business in Maine. — Tom Rainey Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Programming support ENTREPRENEURS for The time is ripe for startups B y J e s s i c a H a l l

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