Startup Maine series to spotlight entrepreneurs, 'ecosystem builders'

Photo / Tim Greenway Startup Maine President Katie Shorey, a 2020 Mainebiz Next list honoree, talking to the team at HighByte, an industrial software development firm.

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By Renee Cordes

Startup Maine, a Portland-based business group that canceled its annual summer conference this year because of COVID, is planning a busy fall.

The volunteer-run nonprofit organization is launching a virtual speaker series next week featuring movers and shakers in the state's startup community, with a heavy focus on tech entrepreneurs.

"The series will be inspiring, fun and informative," Startup Maine President Katie Shorey told Mainebiz. “You can expect engaging conversation, and walk away feeling intrigued by, and proud of, what's happening in Maine."

Shorey, who is also director of engagement at Live + Work in Maine and a 2020 Mainebiz Next list honoree, said the series will highlight the work of Maine entrepreneurs as well as experts helping behind the scenes.

That help can take many forms, from creating programs and offering mentorships to providing financial capital.

Shorey said that while there will be a heavy focus on tech entrepreneurs, the series will also feature so-called ecosystem builders serving a variety of early-stage companies and industries and bringing a unique perspective.

"The sessions are meant to be quick updates shedding light on what folks are working on, but also their ideas and suggestions on what is needed to keep developing and growing a robust entrepreneurial community," she said.

The new "Entrepreneurs & Ecosytem Builders Speakers Series" is intended for a wide audience, she said. That includes people who consider themselves startup-curious, members of entrepreneurial support organizations, business leaders who want to keep a pulse on what's happening in the startup world and other founders or individuals aspiring to become entrepreneurs.

"As for geography," Shorey said, "we want to feature individuals across the state who aren't often in the limelight so hoping to reach people who are plugged into the tech scene, as well as those curious about it. We also want to reach people outside of Maine who might be unaware of the amazing things we have going on here including the supportive community surrounding entrepreneurs."

Starting lineup

First up in the series, on Oct. 27, is with Nick Rimsa, co-creator and product designer at Waterville-based tech startup Eariously; product designer and design instructor Tortoise Labs; and designer of the Propeller program at CEI Women's Business Center.

Shorey will moderate the 30-minute discussion.

The fall lineup will also feature Torey Penrod-Cambra, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Portland tech startup HighByte on Nov. 10; Kristine Logan, the new director of Brunswick science and technology incubator TechPlace on Nov. 24; and Justin Hafner, CEO and co-founder of Portland software startup KinoTek, on Dec. 8.

The series will then pick back up again in January.

She said the series will be "inspiring, fun and informative," and that attendees can expect engaging conversation and walk away feeling intrigued by and proud of what's happening in Maine.

"If you're keeping tabs on the startup scene in Maine, you'll witness the early ideation of what entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders are focused on and what they want to see happen in the future," she said.