UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship

06/05/2026

Have you ever considered using a Fractional professional? UpStart Maine's latest blog talks about the positives of doing this with a small business. We use a fractional marketer here at the UpStart Center, and it's been a great fit!
https://upstartmaine.org/fractional-roles-explained-what-they-are-and-when-to-use-them/

A plain-English breakdown of fractional marketing, operations, finance, and admin support. At a certain point in your business, you hit a gap. You need senior-level thinking, but not a full-time hire. You need ex*****on, but not a permanent team member. You need expertise, but you’re not ready to ...

06/04/2026

If you haven't signed up for this, do it now! June 23 will be here before you know it.📅

Calling all Maine entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers!

Curious about AI but not sure where to start? Join us for a FREE AI Workshop designed to help you put these tools to work for your business- no tech background required.

Here's what's on the table:
🤖 Practical AI knowledge you can use right away
🍽️ Dreamer Food to fuel the conversation
🤝 Time to network with fellow Maine entrepreneurs and small business owners

Food, knowledge, and good company- all in one place. What's not to love?

Huge thanks to our sponsors who make this possible:
🏦 KeyBank
❤️ Heart of Maine United Way
📈 SCORE Mentors

Seats are limited and they're going fast. Grab yours now 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eHTmF8Uk

05/28/2026

Tenant Spotlight: Municipal WasteHub, formerly known as Municipal Review Committee (MRC), is a group of 115 Maine cities and towns that joined together as a nonprofit organization to manage their municipal solid waste issues. Since its founding in 1991, it proactively addresses long-term challenges on behalf of these member communities. Their facility in Hampden, which is already open as a transfer station, is on track to open its municipal recovery facility in June.

Visit their website at https://municipalwastehub.org/

05/21/2026

Learn about the newest spinout businesses from the latest University of Maine SPIRE MIRTA cohort on the blog!🧠 https://www.upstartcentermaine.com/post/accelerating-university-spinout-businesses

Image credit: University of Maine

The R1-designated University of Maine's partnership with the UpStart Center of Entrepreneurship is a mutually beneficial relationship, and their MIRTA accelerator is a wonderful example of University spinout businesses transitioning into office or lab space.

05/19/2026

The Big Gig Finale is TONIGHT! 📢 Join UpStart Maine and several Maine entrepreneurs in the Dexter Lounge at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Join us to see which of the four entrepreneurs' innovative businesses will win the $5000 prize!

05/14/2026

Is your business looking for an affordable, supportive environment with professional amenities and low overhead? Look no further! We have space available on July first.
https://www.upstartcentermaine.com/properties

04/29/2026

This year's Big Gig Finale is May 19. Can you believe it's been fourteen years since the first Big Gig in the Bangor area? 🧑‍💻
Find out more at biggig.org!

Image description: A group of people watch and listen as a young businessman gives a pitch at Tiller and Rye. Three panelists are at a table, judging the competition.

04/22/2026

This month's Tenant Spotlight features Four Directions Development Corporation, who are celebrating Earth Day every day by uplifting the Native communities of Maine. Find them here on social or online at https://fourdirectionsmaine.org/.

04/22/2026

*Taps mic*
It's me; the person who runs the social here at the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship. When we were looking for a house, it took THREE TRIES. We utilized some of the tools that this event will be sharing to get our credit scores up and keep them up, in order to qualify for financing. This was in the "before times," but these tips are appropriate for everyone. They're yet another reason that we're spotlighting Four Directions Development Corporation in our Tenant Spotlight this month. More to come!

Myth: You need perfect credit to get started.

Fact: Many people begin by building readiness first.

Four Directions Development Corporation can help you understand where you are today and identify steps to strengthen your path to financing.

Start the conversation by submitting an intake form here: fourdirectionsmaine.org/get-started
or call: (207) 866-6545.

04/15/2026

This week on the blog: Read more about Compotech, the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2026 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year for Maine and New England!
https://www.upstartcentermaine.com/post/compotech-from-startup-to-leading-manufacturer

Congratulations to Compotech, the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2026 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year!