Mainebiz Special Editions

V O L . X X I X N O. X I X 56 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S STARTUP RESOURCES Maine's resources for entrepreneurs 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 gorhamsavings.bank/launchpad/about Annual pitch competition, with $50,000 prize. This year it moves to October.. Big Gig biggig.org/big-gig A Bangor-area pitch competition with a grand prize of $5,000. Greenlight Maine greenlightmaine.com/greenlight A pitch competition hosted and produced by Julene Gervais, broadcast on Maine Public. Top Gun 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 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 southernmaine.score.org Working with retired executives, SCORE pro- vides 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 maineangels.org Invests in entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on Maine businesses CHAIR: Ralph Nodine Maine Technology Institute mainetechnology.org MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments and services to support Maine's innovation economy. DIRECTOR: Brian Whitney Maine Venture Fund maineventurefund.com Invests in dynamic businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact in Maine. DIRECTOR: Joe Powers Finance Authority of Maine 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. CEO: Carlos Mello Small Business Development Center mainesbdc.org/about SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small busi- nesses through no-cost confidential business advising and training. DIRECTOR: Mark Delisle Coastal Maine Enterprises ceimaine.org A leading community development financial institution, CEI helps to create good jobs, envi- ronmentally sustainable enterprises and more broadly shared prosperity in Maine and rural regions throughout the U.S. CEO: Betsy Biemann CEI Women's Business Center 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 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 welcomeimmigrant.org A hub of collaboration that strengthens the immi- grant community through language acquisition, economic integration and civic engagement. DIRECTOR: Reza Jalali New Ventures Maine 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 blackownedmaine.com Publishes a directory of Black-owned businesses DIRECTOR: Rose Barboza Maine International Trade Center 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 theindusfund.com Working with cPort Credit Union, it expands the capabilities and business possibilities of immi- grant New Mainers by making microloans more readily available and affordable. FOUNDER / MANAGING PARTNER: Kerem Durdag Brunswick Landing 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 techplacemaine.us Supports the small business development needs of early-stage companies, offering a place to net- work with other innovators, research and develop ideas, build prototypes, test products, assemble, grow, learn and become successful manufactur- ing and technology companies. DIRECTOR: Jaimie Logan Island Institute islandinstitute.org/about Works collaboratively to help Maine's island and coastal communities tackle the most pressing environmental and socio-economic issues. DIRECTOR: Kim Hamilton Small Business Administration, Maine district office 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 coun- ties of Maine. DIRECTOR: Diane Sturgeon Maine MEP mainemep.org The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps companies when they're scaling up, build- ing out factories and related facilities. Dirigo Labs dirigolabs.org An offshoot of Central Maine Growth Council, the startup accelerator offers mentors and advi- sors in business, academia and venture capital. DIRECTOR: Susan Ruhlin New England Ocean Cluster newenglandoceancluster.com Connect ocean-minded people with industry knowledge to help ensure opportunity is pursued inclusively, economically and sustainably. CEO: Patrick Arnold Roux Institute roux.northeastern.edu Northeastern University's Portland graduate cam- pus offers an annual accelerator program with Techstars, as well as a founder residency program and an entrepreneurship immersion program. LEADERSHIP: Margaret Angell, head of partner- ships and strategic initiatives; Chris Mallett, chief administrative officer; Chris Wolfel, director of entrepreneurship Startup Maine 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 umaine.edu/innovation Is 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 maineacceleratesgrowth.weebly.com MxG is a network of organizations committed to building an inclusive ecosystem to support innova- tors and businesses to scale in Maine and beyond. COORDINATOR: Liz Trice E D I T O R ' S N O T E : This is by no means an exhaustive list of resources in Maine, but rather an overview. S O U R C E : Organizations' websites, Mainebiz research

• Cover