Maine Innovations Night
On April 5th we gathered for the UpStart Maine’s Spring edition of Maine Innovation Night! We brought together an amazing line up of showcasers and an energetic audience at the University of Maine Augusta Campus in Bangor. Entrepreneurs displayed their new products and services including; five food producers and AG tech startups, three innovative services, and the unveiling of the prototype for a new online guide for entrepreneurs looking for the resources they need to grow.
On April 5th we gathered for the UpStart Maine’s Spring edition of Maine Innovation Night! We brought together an amazing line up of showcasers and an energetic audience at the University of Maine Augusta Campus in Bangor. Entrepreneurs displayed their new products and services including; five food producers and AG tech startups, three innovative services, and the unveiling of the prototype for a new online guide for entrepreneurs looking for the resources they need to grow.
It was a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to display their new products and services and get feedback from potential customers and investors. Here’s a little more detail on each of our awesome showcasing entrepreneurs:
The Village Kitchen,
a new offering based in Hermon, offers hot and ready-to-eat meals for curbside pickup – for busy families, empty nesters, and singles young and old. Pot pies, lasagna, stuffed peppers, baked spaghetti with meatballs, and more, all homemade
Riley’s Recipes Pet Bakery,
based in Carmel, makes pet treats free of preservatives, byproducts, additives and sugar (or substitutes) – perfect for those looking for a clean alternative to big brand pet food companies. They also are an allergy-conscious product for the 15% of dogs in the U.S. that suffer from “cutaneous adverse food reactions” (CAFRs).
https://www.facebook.com/RileysRecipesPetBakery/
REDDE Marine Safety Systems
is the only full-service marine safety company that comes to you, with audits and proprietary software that ensures its clients never have an expired piece of equipment. Co-founders Josh Duym and Pat Shepard, experienced merchant marines and fishermen, are based in Deer Isle.
Profit Decoder
based in Bar Harbor, has designed on-line software to help startups – or anyone needing a picture of business finances – test different financial scenarios in order to reach profitability. Users can set a profit goal and find the sales, pricing and cost targets to get there. Its co-founders are Jay Friedlander and Jordan Motzkin.
Balfour Farm of Pittsfield
is a MOFGA-certified, solar powered farm that produces a wide variety of cheeses and other dairy products sold through the farm’s The Little Cheese Shop, at wholesale, and at many restaurants and food stores. Heather and Doug Donahue own the farm, and Heather is a member of UpStart Maine’s food producers mastermind group.
Drone Your Own
based in Belfast, is a one-stop network connecting FAA-certified pilots to clients who need aerial imagery from drones. They take the work out of finding pilots qualified to carry out such projects. In the process, co-founders Anthony St. Peter and Jack Davis are creating a community for pilots to connect and share ideas.
Gert ‘n Lil’s
an Augusta-based startup, showcased its Sweet Grammies – a new take on Maine’s official state treat, the whoopie pie. Sweet Grammies are vegan, free of additives…and delicious. Founder Alyson Mayo is based in Augusta.
Last but certainly not least, our award winner of “Most Innovative Presenter”…
Paramount Planet Product, or P3RD for short, has developed plant-based packaging aimed at replacing the harmful packaging that finds its way into the ocean. Its ocean-compostable products, such as coffee cup tops and souffle cups, feed rather than damage fish if they reach ocean waters. Based in Orono, it was co-founded by marine scientist Ariadne Dimoula and pulp and paper engineer Claudia Lowd.
Thank you to the businesses who showcased their new products and services, and to the 60+ visitors – entrepreneurs, community leaders, representatives of financial institutions, and supporters – who packed the room, helped spread the word about these homegrown Maine businesses, and made UpStart Maine’s Spring edition of Maine Innovation Night a success. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these innovative entrepreneurs and the impact they will make on the region’s economy.
Don’t miss the next Maine Innovation Night, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with all UpStart’s events.
A huge thank you to our sponsors:
- Community Supporter: Maine Technology Institute
- Networker: Bangor Savings Bank
- Partners: LG&H CPAs
- Machias Savings Bank
- Rudman Winchell
- Friends: Briggs Solutions for Business
- City of Brewer
- First National Bank
- Haley Ward
- Rize Co-Work
- Sewall
About Maine Innovation Nights:
Maine Innovation Nights allow companies to showcase Maine-based innovation by connecting startups and established businesses launching new products or services with customers, social media influencers, and investors.