Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1470718
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 6 I f you're a startup, Maine provides a vast network of mentor pro- grams, classes, pitch competitions and financing networks. But figuring out where to start and how your startup fits into the bigger picture is often a challenge. When we sat down to hammer out the idea for the Startup Hub, our simple hope was to provide a roadmap that could help entrepre- neurs find their way. In short, Startup Hub is a guide for entrepreneurs to direct them to resources and help them navigate Maine's startup infrastructure. A number of people were invalu- able in helping us shape this publica- tion, including Renee Kelly at the University of Maine, Tom Rainey at the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, Brian Whitney at Maine Technology Institute, Jaimie Logan at TechPlace, Chris Mallett at the Roux Institute and Nancy Stojny at SCORE. In the early stages, Renee Kelly helped us shape the structure by suggesting four overall categories: resources/programming, physical space, talent acquisition and financing. Staff writers Laurie Schreiber, Renee Cordes and Jessica Hall contributed major sections. Digital Editor Will Hall tackled the "Art of the pitch" story. Freelancer Catie Joyce-Bulay talked to Bixby Chocolate CEO Kate McAleer, who has been a leading example of an entrepreneur who has won pitch competitions, found a wide range of financing options and built a lasting consumer brand. Photographers Tim Greenway, Fred Field, Jim Neuger, Soubahn Phanthay and David Clough cov- ered much of the state in pursuit of strong images for the issue. Andrea Tetzlaff, our associate publisher, and her team secured sponsors. And, as always, Art Director Matt Selva brought all these disparate pieces together in one clean, visu- ally appealing package. — Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz F RO M T H E E D I TO R It takes a village — and, luckily for startups in Maine, a village exists Startup Hub is a guide for entrepreneurs to direct them to resources and help them navigate Maine's startup infrastructure. www.mced.biz / info@mced.biz We're dedicated to providing Maine entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to accelerate their businesses. MCE PROGRAMS Top Gun Cultivator and MarketShare Food Accelerators BioInnovate BioStartup Visionary Leadership Program Compass