INNOVATE WITH UPSTART MAINE
Fueling Entrepreneurship Through Strong Communities
UpStart Maine brings entrepreneurs, innovators, and dreamers together to spark ideas, build connections, and grow thriving businesses. Join a community where support, resources, and inspiration fuel your journey from startup to success.
Lisa Liberatore
Program Manager
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Upstart Maine Innovation Partners
Where Maine’s Innovators Pitch What’s Next
Formerly known as Innovation Nights, this signature showcase brings founders, makers, and emerging companies to the stage to pitch new products and services to a live audience of community members, customers, and supporters. It’s where bold ideas gain visibility, spark conversations, and build momentum within Maine’s innovation economy.
INTRODUCING UPSTART MAINE
Maine’s Hub for Entrepreneurs and Innovators
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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Maine-Based, Scalable Businesses Ready to Grow
- Operate and grow in Maine – The business must currently operate in Maine and have clear plans to expand within the state.
- Scalable business model – The company must be built to grow beyond a single individual selling their time, with systems or products that can expand.
- Open to mentorship – The founder must be willing to receive guidance and actively work on strengthening and refining the business.
- Clear revenue and growth strategy – The founder must clearly explain how the business makes money today and how it plans to grow revenue.
- Demonstrated traction – The business must show real proof of demand, such as customers, sales, partnerships, or measurable market validation.
EXPLORE UPSTART PROGRAMS
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.
UPSTART MAINE BLOGS
Insights, Stories & Ideas from Upstart Maine
Maine’s entrepreneurial spirit is growing stronger—and now, a new Bangor-based business accelerator is giving founders the structure, mentorship, and confidence...
At UpStart Maine, we work with founders who aren’t chasing trends—they’re solving problems they’ve lived, felt, and refused to ignore....
If you’ve ever wondered how a Maine native can take a spark of curiosity and turn it into a potential...
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.