Entrepreneurial Events

Discover Upstart Maine’s Entrepreneurial Events, where startups, innovators, and business leaders connect to share ideas and drive growth. Join us to network, learn, and take your venture to the next level in Maine’s thriving startup community.

Upstart Maine Innovation Partners

LEGAL LOUNGE WITH McINTOSH LAW

Meet Jeremiah McIntosh, an experienced attorney who brings a unique global perspective to business law. Born in Paris and raised in Maine, Jeremiah earned his degree in International Business and Logistics from Maine Maritime Academy before spending 14 years with the Department of Defense, visiting 56 countries and living in Italy for six years.

After law school, he established his own practice in northern Maine. For the past 12 years, he has helped clients protect their assets, grow their businesses, and navigate legal and regulatory requirements. With a background in finance, accounting, and logistics, Jeremiah guides clients through 4–6 mergers and acquisitions each year and helps approximately 10 entrepreneurs launch new businesses annually. He is also an experienced litigator with dozens of civil and criminal trials to his credit.

Outside his practice, Jeremiah is a proud husband and father of four who enjoys traveling, aviation, and building new businesses. Join him at Legal Lounge with McIntosh Law for an engaging evening of business law insights and valuable connections with Maine’s business community.

Maine SBA Upcoming Trainings

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Maine District Office supports small businesses across the state by providing access to funding programs, expert counseling, federal contracting opportunities, and disaster recovery assistance. In addition to these services, the SBA offers a range of training programs and workshops designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical, real-world knowledge. Through local offices in Augusta, Bangor, and Portland, they also connect business owners with trusted partners, lenders, and community resources to help them start, grow, and succeed.

No Cost Small Business Assistance Panel

Traditional and Non-Traditional Small Business Lending

Building a Strong Small Business Foundation

The Lifecycle of Entrepreneurship

Every entrepreneurial journey is different, but there are common stages every business owner must navigate. From launching your first idea to building something that lasts, knowing what to expect (and how to adapt) at each stage is key to success.

In this engaging and empowering workshop, serial entrepreneur Lisa Liberatore will walk you through the full lifecycle of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re just starting out, growing quickly, or preparing for an eventual exit, you’ll gain practical insights to help you make smart, strategic decisions at every phase of your journey.

2026 Blitz Conference

Blitz 2026 is UpStart Maine’s premier entrepreneurship conference, bringing together entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and community leaders from across Maine for a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Whether you’re launching your first venture, growing an established business, or supporting Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Blitz offers valuable opportunities to connect and grow.

Youth Leadership

What if your biggest leadership lesson came from a kid with a cardboard sign and a mission to feed his community?

The D-Max Effect is a proven 6-step framework that shows how one small act of ownership, not management, can ignite a team, drive real results, and build a culture people actually want to be part of. For small business owners tired of doing everything themselves, this session will change how you think about trust, delegation, and what it means to lead. Come ready to rethink who on your team is waiting to step up, if only someone would invite them in.

Branding on Tap featuring John Emery

Branding on Tap is a 90-minute, hands-on brand strategy workshop for business leaders and entrepreneurs ready to sharpen their edge for 2026. In this live session, you’ll learn how to align your Purpose, Personality, and Practices — the core trio that shapes how modern audiences decide who they trust and follow. With a guided worksheet full of practical, thought-provoking prompts, you’ll uncover what truly sets your brand apart and learn how to express it with clarity and confidence.

Expect fresh insight, real-time breakthroughs, and a renewed sense of direction as you “awaken your brand” for the next era of resonance and relevance.

How to pitch

Ready to clearly and confidently explain your business idea? Whether you are preparing for investors, partners, customers, or a competition, this interactive session will help you craft a compelling pitch that answers the three questions every audience is thinking: So what? Who cares? What’s in it for me?

You will learn how to clearly define the problem you are solving, identify your ideal customer, articulate your value proposition, and present your solution with confidence. We will walk through the classic pitch model, including problem and customer discovery, solution, market size, business model, traction, competitive advantage, and the ask.

For Entrepreneurs Interested in Pitching

Applications to pitch at the Business Showcase are currently open and will close on March 6th.

The UpStart Maine Business Showcase – Presented by Northern Maine Development Commission

The Business Showcase continues the long-running tradition of Innovation Nights while expanding opportunities for Maine businesses to grow, connect, and be seen.

Formerly known as Innovation Nights, this signature event highlights emerging businesses and new products from across the region—creating visibility, conversation, and momentum for Maine’s innovation economy.

Global Business Women’s Summit

Representing UpStart Maine, Lisa Liberatore joins the U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce’s Global Business Women’s Summit as a featured speaker, contributing to two dynamic panel discussions focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. This international forum brings together influential voices from across industries to explore critical topics such as market opportunity, access to capital, and the evolving role of technology in business growth.

Drawing on her experience supporting entrepreneurs and building scalable programs, Lisa will share practical insights on fostering sustainable business development and empowering founders to navigate today’s rapidly changing landscape. Her participation highlights UpStart Maine’s growing role in the national and global entrepreneurship ecosystem and its commitment to advancing inclusive innovation.

AI for Small Businesses

Dan Reed, Marketing and Program Manager at SCORE Maine and founder of Dan Ree Marketing, brings his expertise in marketing, media, and strategic planning to help small businesses grow and connect with valuable resources. A graduate of Leadership Maine and a Mainebiz 2024 40 Under 40 honoree, Dan works closely with entrepreneurs across the state to support their development and success.

In this session with UpStart Maine, Dan explores how small businesses can approach emerging tools like AI with clarity and confidence. Rather than focusing on hype, the conversation highlights practical, real-world applications that entrepreneurs can begin using right away to support their business goals.

This session is supported by KeyBank, whose commitment to empowering small businesses helps make opportunities like this possible.

Hot Cocoa for a Cause

Join Dorian “D-Max” and Sarah Marble Morneault for a cozy community pop-up fundraiser supporting the Brewer Food Pantry.

💛 100% of donations go directly to local families in need.
👦 Youth leadership in action — proving age doesn’t define impact.
🤝 Community collaboration that turns compassion into change.

Come grab a cup, share a smile, and be part of something bigger than cocoa.

📅 Saturday, November 15
🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Tiller & Rye, Brewer, Maine

From Startup to Succession | The Life Cycle of Entrepreneurship

Join us for lunch during Join Key4Women and UpStart Maine’s Lisa Liberatore as we explore the life cycle of entrepreneurship and key factors to consider at each stage, from starting or buying a business to succession planning. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about resources available to Maine’s businesses to help navigate the entrepreneurial life cycle.

Event Details:
📅 Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 – 5:30-7:00pm
📍 20 Godfrey Dr Orono, ME 04473

Contact For More Information

This September Solve For B Is Coming Back

Since 2017, Solve For B Has Been A Community For Entrepreneurs, Creatives, And Problem-Solvers Who Want To Build Bold Ideas Together.

Meetups
📍 Rize CoWorking, 735 Main St, Bangor, ME
🗓️ Tuesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 AM

Early Members
✨ Free First Year If You Join In September Or October
💲 $100/Year Starting November

Upcoming Dates
September 16 · September 30
October 14 · October 28
November 11 · November 25
December 9 · December 23

UTC Public Pitch Competition

The UTC Public Pitch Competition showcases student entrepreneurs as they present their business ideas to a live audience and panel of judges. In preparation, participants have worked closely with UpStart Maine Program Manager Lisa Liberatore to refine their pitches, strengthen their messaging, and build confidence.

Join us to support the next generation of founders and experience the energy of live pitching.

Open to the public – all invited

Protecting Your Business in a Digital World

Join us for an eye-opening 2-hour workshop on cybersecurity for business owners, featuring a unique panel of experts from banking, insurance, and ethical hacking. (White hat hacker)

Through real-world stories and practical advice, our speakers will explore how to recognize threats, respond to breaches, and strengthen your business against cyber risks. You’ll learn what you can—and can’t—control when it comes to digital security, and walk away with actionable steps to reduce your exposure.

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.