File photo / Jim Neuger
Katie Shorey
Updated: May 8, 2025
Commentary
How to turn local talent into the next wave of Maine entrepreneurs
By Katie Shorey, Live + Work in Maine
Maine is full of passionate, creative and hardworking people with ideas — but many don’t see themselves as “entrepreneurs.” The word itself can feel intimidating, even exclusionary.
Entrepreneurship often conjures images of tech founders in big cities, not someone starting a software business in Dover-Foxcroft or a climate tech innovation in Bridgton.
And yet, in communities across the state, I meet people who are already acting like entrepreneurs — solving problems, building side hustles or imagining better ways to do things. They just don’t know that there’s a path or that Maine has an ecosystem ready to support them.
The opportunity — and the challenge — is this: How do we help more Mainers recognize their own potential and access the tools to build something that will scale?
Here are five ways we can turn local talent into the next wave of Maine founders:
Demystify the word 'entrepreneur'
The first barrier is often psychological. People don’t apply for pitch competitions or funding because they don’t think they qualify. They say, “I just have an idea,” or “I’m not a businessperson.” We need to normalize the many faces of entrepreneurship — from a local maker to a first-generation college grad launching a tech platform.
You don’t always need a perfect plan, a fancy MBA or a co-founder in San Francisco. You just need an idea and the willingness to start.
Highlight — and simplify — the path
Maine has built a surprisingly robust startup support system — but too few people know where to begin. The good news? You don’t need to go it alone.
Resources like the Maine Technology Institute offer grants, loans and mentoring through programs like the Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps. The Maine Venture Fund provides equity investments in promising early-stage companies. For those seeking early guidance, SCORE mentors offer free business advice.
Accelerators like the Founder Residency at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Central Maine Growth Council’s Dirigo Labs and the Scratchpad Accelerator help founders validate ideas, raise funds and scale. Maine Center for Entrepreneurs has specialized programs especially for those in the food/tech and food and beverage space. A great starting point is Startup Maine for a list of funding, programs and networking resources across the state.
Meet people where they are
Not everyone interested in starting a business is ready to fill out a grant application or attend a structured accelerator. We need to showcase the lower-barrier entry points — coffee meetups, founder forums and online communities where someone can ask, “How do I start?”
Nexus Maine, an online community group, is a great place to start, and they often have in-person events and coffee meetups (as does Startup Maine).
The goal is to make entrepreneurship feel approachable, not elite. When people are welcomed without judgment and can come to a place with curiosity, they’re far more likely to take the next step.
Create a culture of invitation
Sometimes, all it takes is someone saying, “You’d be great at this.” Teachers, employers, librarians and community leaders can be powerful advocates — identifying hidden entrepreneurs and encouraging them to explore their ideas. We need to actively invite people in, especially women, immigrants, rural residents and new-to-Maine people who bring fresh ideas and expansive networks (and access to capital).
Celebrate and connect at events
One of the most powerful ways to inspire future entrepreneurs? Use events to show them the network.
Startup Maine Week, the annual celebration of entrepreneurship and the state’s largest startup conference, is designed to do just that. It brings together aspiring founders, seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, educators and ecosystem support organizations from across the state. Maine Center for Entrepreneurs hosts an annual summit featuring workshops, networking and a pitch competition. LaunchPad, Maine’s premier pitch competition for innovative small businesses, is a robust networking event.
Showcasing the network
The pathways to entrepreneurship in Maine exist and the support is here. While not every idea is going to scale or survive, encouraging new ideas and businesses should continue to be part of our ethos.
Showcasing the network and providing ample pathways to entry helps more people say, “Maybe I can do this, too.”
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