A Thriving Startup Ecosystem, Right Here in Maine
Connecting founders to accelerators, capital, support organizations, and events that help startups grow and scale.
Maine startup ecosystem organizations
36 organizations across Maine. Page 1 of 5.
Startup Maine
Portland, ME
A nonprofit convener and champion for Maine's startup community, connecting founders, investors and ecosystem resources. Its statewide role is especially valuable for community discovery, relationship-building and visibility across otherwise fragmented organizations.
Maine Angels
Statewide, ME
A network of accredited angel investors that evaluates and invests in early-stage companies and connects founders with experienced private investors. The group has been active in Maine and New England early-stage investing since 2003.
CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Brunswick, ME
A Maine-based nonprofit CDFI offering small-business financing and specialized business advising, including services for women, immigrant entrepreneurs, food businesses, child-care providers and fisheries/aquaculture businesses. Its headquarters is at 30 Federal Street in Brunswick.
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Portland, ME
One of Maine's core founder-development organizations, MCE runs Top Gun for growth-oriented startups plus specialized programs for food, agriculture and bioscience businesses. Its model combines mentoring, structured learning, peer networks and connections to funding opportunities.
Northeastern University's Roux Institute — Entrepreneurship
Portland, ME
The Roux Institute operates high-growth startup programs including Founder Residency, Future of Healthcare Founder Residency and a ClimateTech Incubator. Its current Founder Residency is a three-month accelerator offering mentorship and support without fees or an equity requirement.
Maine Technology Institute
Portland, ME
MTI finances technology commercialization and innovation through grants, loans, equity investments and related services. It is one of the most important statewide funding resources for research-intensive and technology-driven Maine companies.
Maine Venture Fund
Newport, ME
A state-created venture fund that makes equity investments in Maine companies with strong growth and economic-impact potential. It is a core institutional investor in Maine's early-stage capital stack.
Dirigo Labs
Waterville, ME
Central Maine's startup accelerator and incubator, operated by Central Maine Growth Council, supports founders with mentors, investor connections, strategic partnerships and programs aimed at moving technically promising companies toward scalable growth and fundraising.
Anchorspace
Bar Harbor, ME
A Bar Harbor coworking option that gives entrepreneurs, independent workers and small teams a professional place to work on Mount Desert Island. Maine DECD's coworking directory identifies Anchorspace at 337 Main Street in Bar Harbor.
BioME — Bioscience Association of Maine
Portland, ME
Maine's life-sciences trade organization connects companies, researchers and professionals through networking, industry development, education and advocacy. It is particularly useful for biotech, medical-device and other life-science founders seeking Maine industry connections.
Bricks Coworking and Innovation Space
Waterville, ME
A downtown Waterville coworking and innovation space housed in the Hathaway Creative Center and home to Dirigo Labs. It is positioned for startups, remote businesses and people who want workspace inside Central Maine's entrepreneurial community.
CEI Ventures
Brunswick, ME
CEI's venture-capital subsidiary invests in growth-oriented businesses with an impact focus, particularly companies in rural communities and smaller gateway cities in Maine and the Northeast. It gives founders an equity-capital pathway distinct from CEI's lending programs.
Community Concepts Finance Corporation
South Paris / Lewiston, ME
A nonprofit community lender that combines business loans with business advising and technical assistance. It maintains a presence in western Maine, including South Paris and Lewiston, making it a useful regional capital and coaching resource beyond Greater Portland.
Eastern Maine Development Corporation
Bangor, ME
EMDC provides entrepreneurs and business owners with lending, one-to-one advising, classes, business planning and financial forecasting from its Bangor headquarters. Its financing is available to both existing and startup businesses.
Finance Authority of Maine — FAME
Augusta, ME
Maine's business-finance agency helps companies obtain capital for startup, expansion and growth through financing programs and partnerships with lenders. It is an important stop when conventional financing alone is insufficient.
Four Directions Development Corporation
Orono, ME
Maine's Native CDFI supports Wabanaki entrepreneurship with small-business loans and confidential, no-cost business-development assistance. Its mission centers on economic opportunity for Maine's Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot communities.
Gulf of Maine Ventures — Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Portland, ME
GMRI's venture and entrepreneurship work focuses on the blue economy. Current offerings include programs such as BlueTech Boost, Founder Flex and the Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator for founders working on ocean, seafood and related technology opportunities.
Island Institute
ME
A nonprofit focused on Maine's island and coastal communities that supports marine and coastal entrepreneurs through grants, technical assistance and programs designed to strengthen business resilience and the working waterfront economy.
Maine & Co
Portland, ME
A private nonprofit economic-development organization that offers confidential, no-cost assistance to businesses considering relocation or expansion in Maine. It is especially relevant to scaling companies evaluating sites, workforce, incentives and expansion options.
Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center
Walpole, ME
MAIC helps develop Maine's aquaculture sector and maintains an Innovation Navigator that connects startups with incubator space, technical expertise, financing, grants, business planning and other resources. It is a particularly useful entry point for aquaculture and marine-bioeconomy founders.
Maine International Trade Center
Portland, ME
MITC helps Maine companies pursue international markets through one-to-one trade assistance, education, market guidance and funding programs. For startups beginning to export or build international partnerships, it is the state's primary specialized trade resource.
Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Augusta, ME
Maine MEP provides hands-on technical and business assistance to manufacturers, including innovation, process improvement and growth support. It is especially relevant to hardware, advanced-manufacturing and product companies moving from prototype toward repeatable production.
Maine Office of Business Development — DECD
Augusta, ME
The state's business-development office helps companies navigate Maine incentives, financing, investment and other economic-development resources. It also acts as a useful gateway into the wider network of state and regional business-assistance programs.
Maine Small Business Development Centers
Portland / statewide, ME
Maine SBDC provides no-cost, confidential one-to-one advising for entrepreneurs and small businesses across all 16 counties. Advisors assist with startup planning, financing, growth, operations and other practical business decisions.
Maine Space Corporation
Statewide, ME
The organization developing Maine's emerging space-economy infrastructure, including an Innovation Hub intended to foster business creation, R&D and commercialization. Its plans include incubator/accelerator programming, mentoring and startup/scale-up support, with major hub activity envisioned around Brunswick Landing.
MaineHealth Innovation
Statewide, ME
MaineHealth's internal innovation platform connects health-system innovators with education, funding, technology-transfer and commercialization support. It is most directly useful to MaineHealth-affiliated innovators, while its partnership with the Roux Institute also contributes to Maine's broader health-tech startup pipeline.
MaineStream Finance
Bangor, ME
A mission-driven nonprofit community lender offering small-business financing in Maine, including startup-oriented products. Its Startup Express option is designed for smaller early financing needs with a streamlined process.
New Ventures Maine
Augusta / statewide, ME
A statewide University of Maine at Augusta program offering free classes and coaching for self-employment and small-business development. Its seven-center network includes Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Lewiston-Auburn, Presque Isle, Portland and Saco.
SCORE Maine
Portland / statewide, ME
SCORE Maine provides free mentoring, workshops and business education through experienced volunteer mentors. The Maine chapter serves entrepreneurs statewide, including communities such as Bangor and Augusta as well as southern Maine.
Startup Auburn
Auburn, ME
A City of Auburn initiative aimed at making the city easier for entrepreneurs to launch and build businesses, supported in partnership with regional business organizations. It gives the Lewiston-Auburn area a locally focused entry point into the startup ecosystem.
TechPlace
Brunswick, ME
Maine's technology incubator at Brunswick Landing provides shared workspace and specialized facilities for early-stage companies, including businesses in technology and the blue economy. It is particularly useful to founders who need more than conventional office coworking.
U.S. Small Business Administration — Maine District Office
Augusta, ME
The federal SBA's Maine presence connects small businesses with lending programs, counseling partners, contracting resources and training. Maine's startup-resource directories identify the district office in Augusta, with SBA support also reaching entrepreneurs through regional partners and programming.
Union + Co
Bath, ME
A downtown Bath coworking community offering shared desks, private offices, meeting/event space, art studios and a developing makerspace. Its programming adds networking and professional-development value for Midcoast entrepreneurs beyond the physical workspace itself.
University of Maine Office of Innovation & Economic Development / Foster Center for Innovation
Orono, ME
UMaine's commercialization infrastructure helps researchers and entrepreneurs evaluate inventions, protect intellectual property, license technology and form startups, while the Foster Center provides commercialization and business-development support. It is the key university pathway for turning UMaine research into companies or licensed products.
UpStart Center Incubator
Orono, ME
A physical business incubator serving early-stage companies in the Bangor/Orono innovation cluster. Beyond affordable space, its model emphasizes expertise, networks, business support and connections to financing.
UpStart Maine
Orono / Bangor Region, ME
The Bangor Region's entrepreneurship and innovation hub connects founders with resources, programs, startup space and community relationships. Its mission explicitly combines a regional base with connections to resources for entrepreneurs statewide.
Upcoming Events
Discover events, workshops, and networking opportunities across Maine’s startup community.
Most Maine ecosystem organizations publish their winter and spring calendars later in the year. This page updates as they do.
Verified 13 August 2026
- AUGTUE
Welcome to the Startup Ecosystem Breakfast
Hosted by Startup Maine
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Portland, Maine
A recurring breakfast series that Startup Maine describes as an easy entry point for anyone curious about startups and the ecosystem. Refreshments and open networking with the Startup Maine team and community members, whether you are new or long established.
- AUGTUE
MITC 30th Anniversary Celebration
Hosted by Maine International Trade Center
Yarmouth, Maine
A Yarmouth gathering celebrating 30 years of MITC and bringing together members of Maine's international business community. Particularly useful for founders interested in export markets, international partners and the state's trade network.
- AUGWED
Ask an Advisor
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
Free online drop-in sessions where founders and existing business owners can bring questions about starting, financing, marketing, HR, growth or other business challenges to CEI advisors. The format is intentionally informal and interactive. Also September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
- SEPTUE
Start Up Session: What do you need to know before applying for a business loan?
Hosted by LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
LA Metro Chamber of Commerce, Lewiston, Maine
A working and networking session where entrepreneurs and small business owners hear from local experts on what to consider before applying for small business financing, with time for peer problem-solving and connections.
- SEPTUE
Tuesday Toast Talks: Meet, Share, & Connect
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Farmington, Maine
An informal Farmington networking meetup for new, existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs in Greater Franklin County. It is designed around peer conversation, sharing expertise and building local business relationships. Recurring again on October 6.
- SEPTUE
Venture Forward Augusta: Showcase
Hosted by Northeastern University's Roux Institute — Entrepreneurship
Roux Institute, Portland, Maine
The culminating showcase for Venture Forward Augusta, where participating business owners present ventures and progress made through workshops, mentorship, technology exposure and market-growth work. The showcase itself is at the Roux Institute in Portland.
- SEPTUE
Exploring Self-Employment
Hosted by New Ventures Maine
Online
A practical online workshop for people deciding whether self-employment is right for them, covering startup steps, core business-plan components and resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
- SEPWED
Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certification Info Session
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
An online introduction to WBENC certification, including why certification can matter to women-owned businesses and how it can fit into a growth or supplier-diversity strategy.
- SEPTHU
Money Matters: Your Business. Your Future. Your Financial Freedom
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
A 90-minute online session focused on the intersection between running a self-employed business and building the owner's own longer-term financial security.
- SEPFRI
September Biz Fit: Knowledge is Power
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
An informal online gathering for entrepreneurial women to compare experiences, exchange ideas and strengthen the practical knowledge they use to make business decisions.
- SEPTUE
MITC Member MeetUp
Hosted by Maine International Trade Center
Online
A virtual office-hours-style gathering for conversations about international-business opportunities and challenges, with participating companies able to introduce themselves and MITC trade specialists contributing market or trade-policy perspective.
- SEPWED
Bio & Brews 2026
Hosted by BioME — Bioscience Association of Maine
Austin Street Brewery, Portland, Maine
A Portland networking evening at Austin Street Brewery combining life-science community building, brewery tours and an accessible look at the biology and chemistry behind brewing. It is a low-friction way for founders to meet Maine life-science professionals.
- SEPMON
Scaling 101
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
A 90-minute online workshop helping business owners think through what “scaling” actually requires, from stronger systems and processes to more efficient revenue growth.
- SEPTUE
Women Owned Small Business Certification 101
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
A one-hour online session explaining the federal Women-Owned Small Business certification and the potential benefits of certification for companies pursuing government-contracting opportunities.
- SEPWED
Year-End Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
A practical one-hour online workshop covering year-end bookkeeping tasks, document organization, report review and preparation for tax season.
- SEPWED
UpStart Maine 2026 Blitz Conference
Hosted by UpStart Maine
Bangor, Maine
UpStart Maine's flagship Bangor entrepreneurship conference brings together founders, business owners, innovators and ecosystem leaders for a full day of learning, relationship-building and visibility. It is one of the strongest general-purpose founder events currently confirmed in Maine's fall calendar.
- SEPMON
Scaling Up: From Strategy To Action
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
A four-part online program that moves beyond the introductory scaling discussion and helps owners identify growth needs, assess options and turn a scaling strategy into concrete action. A four-part series.
- SEPTUE
Self-Worth Club: A Skills-Building Discussion Group for Business Owners
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Online
An online discussion series addressing the personal and emotional dimensions of business ownership, including the vulnerability and uncertainty that often accompany entrepreneurial work.
- SEPWED
Maine Blue Economy Week
Hosted by Startup Maine
Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine
A three-day Portland gathering convening entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, students and ecosystem builders around Maine’s ocean and coastal economy. Programming centres on blue economy research, investment, entrepreneurship and workforce training. Registration is handled by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
- OCTTHU
Venture Forward South Berwick: Showcase
Hosted by Northeastern University's Roux Institute — Entrepreneurship
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Roux Institute, Portland, Maine
The closing showcase for the Venture Forward South Berwick cohort, where local entrepreneurs and business owners present their ventures and the progress they have made. Lunch is provided. Registration was not yet open when this listing was checked.
- OCTTHU
Accelerate Your Business: Explore Top Gun and More with MCE
Hosted by CEI — Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
A founder-focused overview of Maine Center for Entrepreneurs resources, with special attention to Top Gun and how accelerator programming can provide mentorship, networking and guidance for growth.
- OCTTHU
Maine Food Producers Showcase & Golden Fork Awards
Hosted by Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Portland, Maine
A major Portland marketplace and networking event connecting more than 50 Maine food, beverage and seafood producers with buyers, distributors, chefs, retailers, foodservice professionals, investors and community leaders. Workshops and the Golden Fork Awards add an educational and visibility component.
- OCTWED
BioME Annual Conference 2026
Hosted by BioME — Bioscience Association of Maine
BioME's largest annual event brings together more than 200 life-science professionals for panels, talks, presentations, networking and expo tables. It is open to the community and connects industry with academia, research institutions and government.
- NOVWED
Simple Financial Tools for Solopreneurs and Small Businesses
Hosted by Maine Small Business Development Centers
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Online
A webinar introducing easy-to-use tools that help solopreneurs and small business owners track income, expenses and overall financial progress, from free spreadsheets through to paid bookkeeping platforms.
- NOVTHU
Maine Space Conference
Hosted by Maine Space Corporation
Roux Institute / WEX, Portland, Maine
A two-day Portland conference focused on the people, companies, research and innovation shaping Maine's developing space economy. The 2026 conference is scheduled for the Roux Institute/WEX building in downtown Portland.
- NOVTHU
Northern New England MedTech Conference
Hosted by Northeastern University's Roux Institute — Entrepreneurship
Roux Institute, Portland, Maine
The regional gathering for founders, clinicians, investors and operators working in medical devices, biotech and digital health across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The 2026 theme is Reimagining Healthcare, with keynotes, panels, breakouts and a pitch competition.