Fueling Entrepreneurship Through Strong Communities
UpStart Maine works with Greater Bangor founders who have real revenue and real traction, but are hitting the limits of solo operating. We give you the clarity, feedback, and structure to make your next decisions with confidence, not guesswork.
Lisa Liberatore
Program Manager
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Upstart Maine Innovation Partners
Entrepreneurs get together for networking event in Maine
UpStart’s Mission: UpStart Maine is the Bangor Region’s innovation hub that connects entrepreneurs statewide to resources to grow their businesses.
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Get updates on programs, events, and resources built for founders who are past the idea phase and ready to build structure.
For Maine-Based Founders Preparing to Scale
- You're past the idea phase - you have paying customers. Demand is proven. The question now is how to grow without burning out.
- You're doing everything yourself, and it's starting to show. You're the founder, the ops team, and the marketing department. That's no longer sustainable at your revenue.
- You're starting to think about hiring - but you're not sure who, or when. Subcontractor, consultant, first hire - you need to know what's appropriate at your stage before you commit money.
- You can explain your business, but not confidently. Your pitch, your positioning, your story — it works, but it doesn't yet land the way it should.
- You want direct feedback, not generic encouragement. You've outgrown free resources and networking-for-networking's-sake. You want people who will tell you the truth.
Upstart Programs
UpStart’s Mission: UpStart Maine is the Bangor Region’s innovation hub that connects entrepreneurs statewide to resources to grow their businesses.
Top Gun is a 15-week program that combines hands-on mentoring with high-impact weekly gatherings. The program runs annually from January to May, with the application process starting in late Fall of the year prior.
MaineStream Finance is a non-profit organization dedicated to economic development in Central and Mid-Coast Maine by providing advisory and financial services that are often unavailable from traditional financial institutions.
Located in the heart of Bangor, ME, CoVort is a shared space designed to bring people together. Our community is made up of entrepreneurs, small business owners, remote workers and creatives, all working together under one roof. We provide dynamic physical spaces (and occasionally snacks!) in which members and guests can share skills, support one another and thrive.
Scratchpad Accelerator’s mission is to provide full-time support to help female-founded companies scale quickly while building a vibrant mentor network and increased visibility among investors; in Maine and across the country.
Big Gig is an unprecedented partnership between a motivated group of municipalities, universities, and organizations in Maine’s Penobscot River Valley. We’ve been working with local innovators and entrepreneurs since 2012 to create a supportive network and to bring positive change and economic growth to our communities.
At the UpStart Center, tenants have access to conference rooms, high speed, fiber optic internet, and community space. The incubator provides coaching services and support to entrepreneurs in order to build competitve, market-oriented companies. In the most recent year, incubator companies raised more than $10 million in grants, investments, and earnings.
The Bangor Innovation Center is a business “incubator” designed to support small businesses during their start-up and early growth stages. Operated since 1979 by the BanAir Corporation on behalf of the City of Bangor.
The Foster Center for Innovation is the hub of innovation-focused activities at the University of Maine
The base for UMaine programs and services that support entrepreneurship, business development and commercialization of university research, the center offers academic courses in innovation open to both undergraduate and graduate students and is home to a student business incubator.
Insights, Stories & Ideas from Upstart Maine
For many business owners, building a great business is only the beginning. In today’s digital world, customers need to be...
There’s a particular kind of courage it takes to leave one country for another and start over with nothing but...
There are farmers who chase growth. Then there are farmers like Heather and Doug Donahue. Fifteen years ago, they made...
Bangor Boot Camp Launches to Help Maine Businesses Scale and Compete
Boot Camp, a collaboration between Greenlight Maine and UpStart Maine, is designed to help founders strengthen their operations, validate their markets, and build companies ready for long-term growth—not just a winning pitch.
Through a structured, mentor-driven curriculum, participants receive guidance in financial readiness, leadership, operations, and pitch development, positioning them to confidently compete for a future spot on the Greenlight Maine TV series. While participation does not guarantee selection for the show, Boot Camp provides targeted support to help promising Maine-based businesses grow, scale, and stand out on a larger stage.
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Let’s Take the Next Step Together
Have questions or want to learn more? Reach out today and Lisa will personally connect with you to provide the guidance and support you need.