Dirigo Labs

Don't Miss Out on the Better Maine Conference: Creating Equitable Workspaces! Join us on Thursday, November 7 for Dirigo Labs’ 3rd annual DEI Conference in partnership with the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship. This year, we’re excited to screen the eye-opening documentary Show Her The Money, highlighting the challenges women face in accessing venture capital, receiving less than 2% of funding. Stick around for an empowering panel with women funders and founders ready to discuss how we can create more equitable opportunities for all. Reserve your spot today! #DEI #BetterMaine #VentureCapital #ShowHerTheMoney #Entrepreneurship #EquityInAction

The finalists will pitch their ideas to a prestigious panel of judges, including Bill Carr, former VP of Digital Media at Amazon and author of Working Backwards; Margaret McFadden, Provost and Dean of Faculty at Colby College; Elizabeth Fortin, Director of Workforce Development at Kennebec Valley Community College; and Luke Shorty, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Thomas College. Carr will not only serve as a judge but will also share insights from his leadership experience at Amazon. #innovation #pitchcompetition #entrepreneurship #education

“This recognition is a tremendous opportunity for Dirigo Labs to expand our support for startups across a wide range of industries,” said Managing Director of Dirigo Labs Susan Ruhlin. “We’re excited to broaden our reach and offer even more resources to entrepreneurs, especially in rural Maine. Our mission is to foster a diverse and dynamic ecosystem where innovation can thrive—not only in biotech and sustainability, but across all sectors. This opportunity strengthens our role as a catalyst for economic growth in the region and beyond.” The 2024 GAFC catalyzes strategic innovation ecosystem building across the country. Over the last decade, U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded 566 in prizes totaling over $33 million to winners throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories. #innovation #entrepreneurship #businessdevelopment

Congratulations to inaugural Dirigo Launch cohort member Khadija El Barkaoui, Ph.D., founder of Coelle Travel, on being selected as a 2024 Mainebiz 40 under 40 awardee! Read more about Khadija and Coelle Travel below! #innovation #businessdevelopment #femalefounder #entrepreneurship

Dirigo Labs is proud to announce the selection of its first incubator cohort. Dirigo Launch is designed to support the growth of promising startups in Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and will provide participants with hands-on mentorship, resources, and access to a robust network of investors, industry experts, and peer founders. “The Incubator program has already been a game-changer for our vision, providing the mentorship, resources, and network we need to begin development on our bottled matcha latte brand and bring a healthier caffeine alternative to more people,” said Andrew Schundler, founder of CHUH. “With the support of Dirigo Launch, we can refine our product and set-up ourselves up well for launching our matcha latte in the spring of 2025.” #businessdevelopment #entrepreneurship #innovation #dirigolaunch

Reminder: Cleantech Catalyst Bootcamp is Next Week! Cleantech entrepreneurs, don't miss your chance to unlock financial and tax insights at Cleantech Catalyst: A Bootcamp for Growth, presented by BerryDunn — Assurance, Tax and Consulting and Dirigo Labs. 🌱 Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: BerryDunn Headquarters, 2211 Congress St., Portland This free seminar is packed with valuable sessions tailored for cleantech founders and owners. Learn how to strengthen your business with expert advice on financial modeling, tax credits, and due diligence. Spots are filling fast—register now to secure your place: #cleantech #entrepreneurship #innovation #financialmodeling #taxcredits

Why Join the Dirigo Launch Incubator? 🌟 Join the Best in Early-Stage Innovation! 🌟 The Dirigo Launch Incubator brings together the most promising early-stage startups. Gain insights from an Entrepreneur in Residence and connect with a network of experienced mentors. Our interactive format promotes hands-on growth, helping you refine your value proposition and develop fundraising strategies. Targeted sessions on raising early-stage capital are just the beginning! 🔗 Apply today to start your journey: https://lnkd.in/gzSwDY28 #StartupGrowth #Mentorship #Innovation #BusinessDevelopment

The second annual Back of the Napkin Challenge, an innovative competition designed to inspire creativity and entrepreneurial thinking amongst regional college students, will take place on October 17 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Greene Block + Studios in downtown Waterville. Participation in the competition will include students from Colby College, Kennebec Valley Community College, and Thomas College. #innovation #entrepreneurship #education

The inaugural event, scheduled for Sept. 18 at BerryDunn — Assurance, Tax and Consulting's headquarters in Portland, aims to give participants a grounding in financial and tax strategy needed to take their businesses to the next level. There will also be plenty of networking opportunities. “Our goal is to provide these entrepreneurs with the tools and connections they need to succeed, and this event is a key step in that direction,” said Emalee Hall, assistant director of innovation programming and partnerships at Dirigo Labs, a business startup accelerator. #innovation #entrepreneurship #cleantech #businessdevelopment

Discover the Dirigo Launch Incubator Program 🚀 Innovative Startups Thrive Here! 🚀 The Dirigo Launch Incubator Program is designed for ideation to pre-seed startups. Over 8 weeks this fall, gain a solid foundation through workshops, tailored homework, and office hours. Explore your market, identify target customers, and plan early-stage fundraising with expert guidance including support for SBIR/STTR grant applications. 👉 Apply now to join our community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/gzSwDY28 #StartupSuccess #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #IncubatorProgram