The Definitive Guide to Maine’s Startup Ecosystem

Jimmy Haight
Oct 14, 2024
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At Nexus Maine we are building a community to connect entrepreneurially-minded Mainers. Whether you are wondering if Maine is the right place to start your business, just launching your venture, or actively scaling… you’ve come to the right place!

In this post we’ll cover:

  • Start Here! The fastest way to get plugged into Maine’s startup ecosystem

  • A primer on why Maine is the best place to start your business

  • Maine state and affiliated funding resources

  • Accelerators, mentor programs, and co-founder matching

  • Co-working spaces

  • Extra credit and bonus resources

Start Here! The fastest way to get plugged into Maine’s startup ecosystem

Startup Maine

Startup Maine is the hub of Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem bridging private sector and state-sponsored resources.

Nexus Maine

If you found this post, maybe you know who we are, but if not… Nexus Maine is a community built to unite entrepreneurially minded Mainers. We host informal happy hours, send out bi-weekly emails including events, job postings, and a whole lot more. We also host an open slack community where members trade advice, organize events, and talk about everything from volunteer activities to the latest advances in AI.

Networking & Events Calendars

At Nexus Maine we host an aggregated event calendar for any and all business, networking, and educational related events around Maine. It’s a great way to get a view of all the activities happening in the ecosystem.

A Primer on Why Maine is the Best to Start Your Business 

We interviewed Mayor of Biddeford, Marty Grohman on why Maine is the best place to start your business. He provides an overview of resources available to entrepreneurs and personal insight on the past, present, and future of Maine’s startup ecosystem.

Accelerators and co-founder matching

Dirigo Labs Accelerator

Dirigo Labs is a prominent investor, advisor, and incubator in Maine with a 12 week accelerator program.

Maine Center For Entrepreneurs (MCE)

A 25 year old institution in the Maine business ecosystem providing entrepreneurs with tools and resources to accelerate their businesses with a variety of programs including:

Roux Institute Founder Residency Program

A one-year program that supports high-growth technology ventures and founders. The program includes a $25,000 grant in non-dilutive funding for each company, with curated programming, mentorship, joint research opportunities, a network of expert advisors, and a peer community.

Roux Institute Co-Founder Matching

If you are looking for a co-founder or want to be connected with an early-stage team then enter the mix with the Roux Institute’s founder matching program

Roux Institute ClimateTech Incubator

A regional hub for startups working on technology solutions to climate change based at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute. Members have access to desk and prototyping space as well as to a curated network of mentors, investors, professional services, and the Roux Institute’s academic and research expertise.

GMRI BlueTech Boost

The BlueTech Boost is a 10-week, hybrid incubator program designed to help founders overcome hurdles and reach specific milestones. The program provides direct mentor support, and connects founders to Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s subject-matter expertise.

CEI Propeller Program

An accelerator program to help creative, problem-solving women develop tech-based businesses and form a network that supports the participation of women in technology.

Scratchpad Accelerator

Gain access to top-notch mentorship, connect with investors, and build lifelong partnerships.

Mentor Programs & Resources

Focus Maine

FocusMaine’s series of programs are offered to entrepreneurs in the food and bio economies who are seeking to grow their businesses or locate their businesses in Maine.

Foster Center for Innovation

Hub of innovation-focused activities at the University of Maine and the state’s leading resource for innovation and commercialization, serving both the campus community and outside businesses and organizations.

Greenlight Maine

An entrepreneurial pitch contest offering a $100,000 prize

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership

MEP is an Economic Development Organization for Manufacturers helping small and medium-sized manufacturers in Maine with everything from safety credentials to product development to cyber security.

Maine Development Foundation

MDF is a non-partisan, statewide driver of sustainable economic growth in Maine. We connect people, decision-makers, and communities though trusted research, leadership development, and creative partnerships to stimulate new ideas, solve problems, and improve lives

Union River Center for Innovation

Union River Center for Innovation provides a wide variety of programs and services to grow and develop your business.

Maine State and Affiliated Funding Resources

Below is a helpful overview of Maine’s funding ecosystem, courtesy of Maine Venture Fund.

Co-working Spaces

Portland & South Portland

Extra Credit & Bonus Resources

Still Have Questions? Did we miss anything?

How’d we do? If you found this guide helpful or feel like we missed anything we’d love to connect.