BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Startup Maine - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.startupmaine.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Startup Maine
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T143000
DTSTAMP:20260501T135511
CREATED:20250313T132456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250503T172045Z
UID:10000034-1747920600-1747924200@www.startupmaine.org
SUMMARY:From Policy to Impact: Lessons in Supporting Entrepreneurs & Driving Investment
DESCRIPTION:Tim Agnew and Rhiannon Hampson bring deep expertise in Maine’s economic development tools\, having spent their careers building and engaging with these initiatives. After successful tenures in other sectors\, both are now focused on accelerating the growth of Maine’s blue economy. \nThis discussion will reflect on the successes and challenges of key state-driven initiatives designed to support entrepreneurs\, such as the Maine Seed Tax Credit and other economic development mechanisms they have worked with throughout their careers. Adding a real-world perspective\, a founder will also share their experience leveraging these initiatives to scale their business\, offering insights into how these tools translate into tangible growth. \nFrom there\, the conversation will look ahead to the future of Maine’s blue economy innovation ecosystem\, exploring opportunities for strategic growth through collaborative partnerships\, investment\, and policy development. \nFeatured Speakers: \nTim Agnew – General Principal at Bold Ocean Ventures\, with extensive experience in venture capital and creative financing tools for business growth. Former Principal at Masthead Venture Partners\, CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine\, and a key player in the creation of the Maine Seed Tax Credit. He has also served on multiple boards\, including Maine Venture Fund\, Maine Technology Institute\, and the Portland Development Corporation. \nRhiannon Hampson – Vice President of Economic Development at Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI)\, former State Director for Rural Development (USDA)\, and District Representative with a policy portfolio of agriculture\, fisheries\, and rural development with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. She also co-owns Grace Pond Farm\, a MOFGA-certified organic livestock and dairy farm in Thomaston. \nMelissa LaCasse – Melissa Lacasse is the CEO and co-founder of Tanbark Molded Fiber\, a manufacturing start-up focused on replacing single use plastic with bio-based solutions. She is passionate about developing new markets and opportunities for Maine heritage industries. Melissa co-founded Tanbark in 2021. She is happy to change the face of manufacturing by challenging the status quo. She wants to arrest the plastic epidemic and believes in shared prosperity. Tanbark allows her to use her skills in B2B Sales and Business Development. She is also skilled in Fundraising and Content Syndication from a career in public radio. \nMelissa is Chair of the Board for Maine Technology Institute\, where she serves as the Sector Representative for Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture\, and also serves on the Board of Trustees for Maine Public.
URL:https://www.startupmaine.org/program/where-weve-come-from-and-where-were-going-blue-economy/
LOCATION:Gulf of Maine Research Institute\, 350 Commercial Street\, Portland\, ME\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.startupmaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GMRI-Session-5.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR