About Startup Maine
Our Mission
Startup Maine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began as a volunteer-driven effort in 2018 and, since then, has grown alongside Maine’s startup ecosystem. Today, as the state’s leading organization supporting the startup ecosystem, Startup Maine has a full-time team serving a growing community of over 5,000 founders, startup employees, startup curious, service providers, ecosystem partners and supporters.
Our mission is to convene and champion Maine's startup ecosystem, helping Maine startups start, grow, and thrive by strengthening connections to customers, resources, opportunities, and one another.
5,000
Founders, startup employees, startup curious, service providers, ecosystem partners and supporters
800+
Annual attendees (2025) to Startup Maine Week
25+
Events hosted since 2024
6
Members on Startup Maine's Board of Directors, guiding strategy and initiatives
Our Team
Startup Maine is led by Executive Director, Sarah Smith, and our Board of Directors that leverage decades of experience starting, scaling, and supporting startups across industries.
Sarah Smith
Sarah is Startup Maine's Executive Director. Sarah brings nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community building.
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Chris Wolfel
Chris Wolfel is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. Chris spent over 4 years leading the Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation team at the Roux Institute.
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David Engle
David Engle is the Managing Partner of Do Good Group, which focuses on buying & building businesses in Maine with the goal of creating 1000 jobs for Mainers.
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Katie Shorey
Katie Shorey is Director of Engagement of Live + Work in Maine (LWM) and is active in economic development initiatives to help foster innovation.
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Patrick Diamond
Patrick Diamond is founder and CEO of Laurel, a global consultancy that builds innovation programs for a better world.
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Tom Kittredge
Tom Kittredge is a Senior Investment Officer at the Maine Technology Institute (MTI), where he supports innovators and entrepreneurs across the state.
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Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a seasoned Product Strategist with a diverse background in tech, design, and innovation, both in the U.S. and globally.
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Pre-Register for Startup Maine Week 2026!
Startup Maine Week is our annual conference, bringing together members of the startup community to move Maine’s startup ecosystem forward.
