Startup Maine

Responsible AI: Balancing Innovation and Accountability
2025-05-21 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
As AI-powered products and services become more prevalent, startups face critical decisions about how to build and deploy AI responsibly. While the AI landscape at times may feel like the “wild west,” we will ask whether a responsible approach can be a differentiator or an inhibitor. This panel brings together startup founders, a researcher specializing in responsible AI, and an investor to explore the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges of AI development.

Panelists will discuss strategies for balancing innovation with fairness, transparency, and accountability—while also considering investor expectations, customer trust, and evolving compliance landscapes. Attendees will gain actionable insights on integrating responsible AI principles into their business models and tech stack from day one.

Speakers:

Burak Sezen, Partner at 6ixth Event Capital
Dr. Mahsan Nourani, Research Assistant Professor, Khoury College of Computer Science and the Roux Institute, Northeastern University
Sonia Cook-Broen, Founder, TheTechMargin
Thomas Law, Founder and CEO of Oak AI
Moderator: Gabriel Harp, Head of Business Partnerships, Oak AI

The First $1M: Navigating Early Stage Fundraising in Maine
2025-05-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for a panel on navigating early stage fundraising in Maine, including panelists from Maine Technology Institute, Coastal Ventures, Maine Angels, Maine Venture Fund, and Ocean House Consulting.
Speakers:

Tom Kittredge, Senior Investment Officer, Maine Technology Institute
Blaine Grimes, President, Ocean House Consulting
Kevin McDonough, Investor, Maine Angels
Nina Scheepers, Principal, Maine Venture Fund
Chandler Jones, Managing Director, CEI Ventures

Women Connect- A Nexus Maine community (coffee networking meetup)
2025-05-21 07:30 - 08:45 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Kick off your morning with coffee + conversation. Join us for a casual meetup with other women. Small group convos on topics you care about: leadership, burnout, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and more. No prep needed—just show up, grab coffee, and dive in. We hope to see you there!

BattleDecks + Pizza Party (Low-key evening event)
2025-05-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Unwind after the day with some fun, laughs, and food. What is BattleDecks? Think: Powerpoint Karaoke. Enter your name for a chance to present (or should we say….perform?). Participants are given a slideshow and must present it to an audience without knowing the content beforehand. We’ll have judges and some prizes.
It’s fun, it’s unpredictable, it’s not serious – hilarity will ensue.
Local beer, wine, N/A drinks, and pizza from Brickyard Hollow (GF available!)
Sponsored by Skowhegan Savings Bank

Reception - Oysters, Bites, and Drinks
2025-05-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Presented by Atlantic Aqua Farms and the Consulate General of Canada. Mix and mingle with conference attendees, meet the staff from the Consul General of Canada in Boston, and enjoy an oyster tasting with Atlantic Aqua Farms. Other apps and drinks by REVEL.

Preparing for an Exit: Insights from Experience
2025-05-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
We’ll delve into questions around when and how to exit a startup company, the different considerations for investors and CEOs, and hear about lessons learned the hard way.
Panelists:

Nilanjana Bhowmik (Founder and General Partner, Converge)
Christina Berkow (Partner, Pierce Atwood)
Fritz Onion (Co-founder, Onion Foundation)
Kristen Miale (Managing Director, Caswell Advisory Group)

Internationalize your Startup - Tools to Help You Go Global
2025-05-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
If you are looking at exploring international markets, you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you want to export or set up a subsidiary, there is a wide range of help available.

Learn about resources available in Maine and Canada and hear the experiences of Maine entrepreneurs.
Moderator, Chris Begley. Trade Commissioner, Innovation and Investment, Consul General of Canada in Boston
Panelists

Dan Berger, Director, Maine North Atlantic Development Office, Maine International Trade Center
Shelby McDonald, Trade Officer, Innovation PEI
Jocelyn Olsen, Founder, Huga Heat
Anna Turcotte, Founder, Bonsie Babywear

Maine's Rural Renaissance: Leveraging Rural Investment Opportunities
2025-05-20 13:30 - 14:30 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Discover rural Maine’s untapped potential! Experts unlock funding avenues: From CDFI opportunities, Federal & State grants, venture capital, and low-interest loans that fuel regional growth. Be inspired by success stories and learn how strategic investment builds thriving communities, emerging sectors, and unique funding paths for your venture.
MODERATOR:

Brandon McDonald, Regional Hub Coordinator, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC)

PANEL:

Jennifer Sporzynski, Chief Program Officer at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)
Denise Cilley, Associate Director, Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC)
Jacob Pelkey, Program Manager, Center for Business Growth @ Northern Maine Development Corporation (NMDC)
Collin Darrell, Operations Manager, Ignite Presque Isle

Integrating AI into Your SaaS Offering: A Blueprint for Success
2025-05-20 13:30 - 14:30 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
AI is no longer just hype — it’s a must-have for scaling and staying competitive. But integrating AI into your SaaS offering isn’t just about adding new features. It requires the right strategy, data, and execution to drive real value.
Join Mike Veilleux, CTO, and Joe Small, data science engineer, of York IE for an exclusive workshop where they’ll break down how to successfully adopt AI and avoid common pitfalls, including:

Why AI is now mission-critical for SaaS businesses
The most common AI challenges, from data security to measuring ROI
How AI can enhance automation, customer experience, and efficiency – A step-by-step approach to integrating AI into your product

Scratchpad Accelerator's Celebration of Entrepreneurship + Lunch
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us in celebrating the 2025 Scratchpad Accelerator cohort, featuring Nauti Sisters Sea Farm, P3RD Earth, Singing Pastures, and Watermelon Pie—a dynamic group of entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of innovation and impact. Enjoy lunch, networking, and pitches from these exciting companies as they showcase their vision for the future!

National Security Innovation (RSVP Required)
2025-05-20 11:00 - 13:00 | The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, 100 Fore Street, Portland, Maine, 04101, United States
What is Maine’s role in the future of National Security Innovation? Find out during Startup Maine Week as Lauren Bedula (Beacon Global Strategies) leads a powerhouse discussion with Jeremy Hitchcock, Jamie Jones Miller, and other industry experts.
From dual-use technology to strategic partnerships, this event is a must-attend for entrepreneurs, technologists, policymakers, and industry leaders exploring the cutting edge of defense and emerging tech.
This special event is made possible by the partnership and collaboration of The Roux Institute at Northeastern University and Wilmington Trust.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be part of the conversation driving change in this critical sector. RSVP here: https://nationalsecurityinnovationpane.splashthat.com/

Finding Co-Founders and Early Employees
2025-05-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Maine Center, Living Room, ME, United States
Join seasoned entrepreneurs who’ve experienced the highs, lows, and lessons learned from finding co-founders and hiring early employees. Hear authentic stories, practical insights, and candid advice on assembling a team that truly moves the needle for your startup.
Panelists:

Frank Chen (CEO and Co-Founder)
Hailey Lister (CPO and Co-Founder)
Alex Morse (CEO and Co-Founder)
Tim Poterba (CTO and Co-Founder)

Moderated by David Engle of Do Good Group

The Art of the Pitch - Using Storytelling to Engage and Inspire Audiences
2025-05-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
In this workshop, we’ll focus on:
• Being a human leader – the importance of coming from a place of why and articulating passions and aspirations
• Engaging and inspiring those around us – understanding the importance of storytelling (the stories help to substantiate our why and motivate audiences to take some sort of action) and embracing vulnerability as a means to instilling confidence

Founder Startup Journeys in Maine (Opening Plenary Session at the Maine Center)
2025-05-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Behind The Hustle: Hard Truths, Big Wins & Bold Predictions
In this session we’ll go beyond the usual startup success stories and hear what it really takes to build a business in Maine. In this fast-paced, interactive session, local founders will step into the spotlight to share their biggest wins, toughest challenges, and what they wish they knew when they started. Expect unfiltered stories, candid advice, and bold ideas for the future of Maine’s startup scene. Audience members will get a chance to ask curveball questions, challenge startup myths, and even pitch ideas for instant founder feedback. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or ecosystem builder, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Melissa LaCasse, CEO of Tanbark
Owen McCarthy, President of MedRhythms, Inc.
Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of SoulBeing
Evan Ryan, Co-Founder of Croft
Moderated by Katie Shorey, Startup Maine

Nexus Maine Coffee Meetup
2025-05-20 08:00 - 09:00 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Grab a coffee and join us for a casual meetup of unstructured networking with your fellow entrepreneurially-minded Mainers.
Sponsored by Bernstein Shur law firm.

Startup Maine Kickoff Event - The Roux Institute's Founder Residency Venture Showcase (separate RSVP required)
2025-05-19 17:00 - 20:00 | The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, 100 Fore Street, Portland, Maine, 04101, United States
Kick off Startup Maine Week with The Roux Institute’s Founder Residency Venture Showcase—a celebration of innovation, diversity, and Maine’s growing startup ecosystem. Note: you must RSVP here (for headcount and security purposes).

This exclusive residency is designed for underrepresented founders, reinforcing our commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. The event features a keynote by NPR’s Theo Balcomb, creator of The Daily at The New York Times, followed by final pitches from ten cutting-edge startups in our year-long residency.

Join entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, government officials, and students for an evening of inspiration, connection, and opportunity. Meet the visionary founders driving Maine’s next wave of high-growth tech startups—then stay for a networking reception to connect with the ecosystem shaping the future.

Montenegro Technology and Startup Bridge (MTSB) IV Cohort Pitch Competition
2025-05-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Hús (New England Ocean Cluster), 68 Commercial St Building C - Floor 2, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Exciting Opportunity for Tech Business Leaders & Innovators! Join us on May 19th from 2pm – 4pm at the New England Ocean Cluster Building for a free viewing of the Montenegro Technology and Startup Bridge (MTSB) IV Cohort pitch competition!

The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs has been assisting seven startups from the West Balkans through our first international Acceleration Program, in support of the Maine National Guard’s mission there. The pitch competition is the final event of their five month virtual program. Local business leaders are invited to attend, watch the pitches, and network with the founders.
Where: New England Ocean Cluster Building, 68 Commercial St., Building C, Floor 2, Portland, ME 04101
When: May 19th | 2pm – 4pm
Light reception to follow (and then we’ll head to the Startup Maine kickoff event at the Roux Institute)
This is a unique chance to be part of an exciting international exchange of innovation, as these companies take major steps towards exploring market entry in the U.S. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the next wave of global entrepreneurs!

RSVP now! Sign up to attend the pitch competition: https://www.mced.biz/may19reg

SBA Export Day (programming not officially part of Startup Maine Week)
2025-05-19 09:30 - 15:30 | Maine Center, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
If you’re interested in attending, RSVP here: https://SBAExportDay2025.eventbrite.com
Location: Maine Center for Professional and Graduate Studies, 300 Fore St. Portland ME
Where in the world do I even start??!!
Are you ready to take your business global? With 95% of consumers living outside the United States, expanding into international markets is a HUGE opportunity. Join us for a dynamic, all-day event designed to demystify the exporting process and empower you with the knowledge, resources, and connections you need to succeed on the world stage.
During this event, you’ll discover:
• Why exporting can be a game-changer for your business
• Critical resources available to support your international expansion
• What to expect as you launch into exporting, including key terms and cost considerations
• Financing, credit, and insurance options tailored for exporters
• Real-world insights from Maine’s veteran exporters on overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities
Why Attend?
International trade can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, you can confidently navigate the global marketplace. This event is designed to equip you with the tools and insights necessary to:
• Leverage global market opportunities
• Access a network of trusted resource partners
• Understand the financial, logistical, and regulatory aspects of exporting
• Learn from the real-life successes and challenges of established exporters
Don’t miss this chance to transform your business and broaden your reach beyond borders!
