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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X I I I § 2 J U N E 2 7 , 2 0 2 2 18 S TA R T U P S — M A R S H A L L I N G TA L E N T W hile marshaling talent can be tough for startups in Maine, there are various paths to success, from lining up smart interns and outside experts, to consid- ering a "gig economy" business model like one young entrepreneur has done in launching a cleaning agency. Here's a roundup of resources and ideas. A 'toe-dipping' route to hiring For Maine startups in need of smart interns for projects, the Innovate for Maine Fellows Program offers many upsides. e program is run out of the Foster Center for Innovation at the University of Maine in Orono. Just ask Nick Rimsa of rural product studio Tortoise Labs, which will host an intern from the program this summer to help with sales and marketing. "is is a great way to find afford- able talent, and they're going to work hard," he says. Flowfold, a Gorham-based maker of wallets, bags and outdoor gear from recycled sailcloth, reports similar success with program fellows. "Innovate for Maine fellows consistently provide fresh perspectives that help our business see things we would have otherwise missed," says CEO and co-founder Devin McNeill. Since the Innovate for Maine Fellows Program was launched in 2012, it has matched 232 students from 37 colleges and universities with 220 companies. e program always starts with a brief boot camp, after which students are dispatched to host companies. While participating companies pay a fee that may qualify for a subsidy, the program screens applicants and hires them as employees it pays directly and supervises with weekly check-ins. Renee Kelly, assistant vice presi- dent for innovation and economic development at the University of Maine, touts the program as an attractive resource for startups. "Some of these companies may not have a lot of experience hiring," she says. "So this may be a way for them to get access in a toe-dipping way." MTI E-Residents at the ready Maine startups funded by the Maine Technology Institute, take note: You may also qualify for free expertise from one of four E-Residents — a team of former entrepreneurs and business executives ready to lend a hand on strategy and growth. MTI, a Brunswick-based organi- zation created and funded by Maine state lawmakers, invests in companies in seven targeted technology sec- tors from biotechnology to precision manufacturing. e E-Resident program, origi- nally set up to help portfolio compa- nies in trouble, was recast several years ago to engage with companies earlier and provide guidance to founders. "When we're making bigger investments in companies like large loans or equity investments, we're using E-Residents as board observ- ers," says MTI President Brian Whitney. "ey're working with companies to help them be as suc- cessful as possible." P H O T O / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY Some of these companies may not have a lot of experience hiring, so this may be a way for them to get access in a toe-dipping way. — Renee Kelly UMaine Foster Center for Innovation Innovate for Maine by the numbers $71K FY21 subsidies 232 students 37 universities 220 companies 20% alumni-started companies Regional breakdown: 48% Portland region 26% Waterville-Augusta-L/A 17% Bangor-Orono- Bar Harbor 9% midcoast region S O U R C E : UMaine Foster Center Renee Kelly, assistant vice president for innovation and economic development at the University of Maine, at the Orono campus' Foster Center for Innovation. F O C U S talent The search for Maine startups have a range of options when it comes to building a team B Y R E N E E C O R D E S

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