What’s happening across Maine

A recurring breakfast series that Startup Maine describes as an easy entry point for anyone curious about startups and the ecosystem. Refreshments and open networking with the Startup Maine team and community members, whether you are new or long established.

A Yarmouth gathering celebrating 30 years of MITC and bringing together members of Maine's international business community. Particularly useful for founders interested in export markets, international partners and the state's trade network.

Free online drop-in sessions where founders and existing business owners can bring questions about starting, financing, marketing, HR, growth or other business challenges to CEI advisors. The format is intentionally informal and interactive. Also September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

A working and networking session where entrepreneurs and small business owners hear from local experts on what to consider before applying for small business financing, with time for peer problem-solving and connections.

An informal Farmington networking meetup for new, existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs in Greater Franklin County. It is designed around peer conversation, sharing expertise and building local business relationships. Recurring again on October 6.

The culminating showcase for Venture Forward Augusta, where participating business owners present ventures and progress made through workshops, mentorship, technology exposure and market-growth work. The showcase itself is at the Roux Institute in Portland.

A practical online workshop for people deciding whether self-employment is right for them, covering startup steps, core business-plan components and resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs.

An online introduction to WBENC certification, including why certification can matter to women-owned businesses and how it can fit into a growth or supplier-diversity strategy.

A 90-minute online session focused on the intersection between running a self-employed business and building the owner's own longer-term financial security.

An informal online gathering for entrepreneurial women to compare experiences, exchange ideas and strengthen the practical knowledge they use to make business decisions.

A virtual office-hours-style gathering for conversations about international-business opportunities and challenges, with participating companies able to introduce themselves and MITC trade specialists contributing market or trade-policy perspective.

A Portland networking evening at Austin Street Brewery combining life-science community building, brewery tours and an accessible look at the biology and chemistry behind brewing. It is a low-friction way for founders to meet Maine life-science professionals.

A 90-minute online workshop helping business owners think through what “scaling” actually requires, from stronger systems and processes to more efficient revenue growth.

A one-hour online session explaining the federal Women-Owned Small Business certification and the potential benefits of certification for companies pursuing government-contracting opportunities.

A practical one-hour online workshop covering year-end bookkeeping tasks, document organization, report review and preparation for tax season.

UpStart Maine's flagship Bangor entrepreneurship conference brings together founders, business owners, innovators and ecosystem leaders for a full day of learning, relationship-building and visibility. It is one of the strongest general-purpose founder events currently confirmed in Maine's fall calendar.

A four-part online program that moves beyond the introductory scaling discussion and helps owners identify growth needs, assess options and turn a scaling strategy into concrete action. A four-part series.

An online discussion series addressing the personal and emotional dimensions of business ownership, including the vulnerability and uncertainty that often accompany entrepreneurial work.

A three-day Portland gathering convening entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, students and ecosystem builders around Maine’s ocean and coastal economy. Programming centres on blue economy research, investment, entrepreneurship and workforce training. Registration is handled by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

The closing showcase for the Venture Forward South Berwick cohort, where local entrepreneurs and business owners present their ventures and the progress they have made. Lunch is provided. Registration was not yet open when this listing was checked.

A founder-focused overview of Maine Center for Entrepreneurs resources, with special attention to Top Gun and how accelerator programming can provide mentorship, networking and guidance for growth.

A major Portland marketplace and networking event connecting more than 50 Maine food, beverage and seafood producers with buyers, distributors, chefs, retailers, foodservice professionals, investors and community leaders. Workshops and the Golden Fork Awards add an educational and visibility component.

BioME's largest annual event brings together more than 200 life-science professionals for panels, talks, presentations, networking and expo tables. It is open to the community and connects industry with academia, research institutions and government.

A webinar introducing easy-to-use tools that help solopreneurs and small business owners track income, expenses and overall financial progress, from free spreadsheets through to paid bookkeeping platforms.

A two-day Portland conference focused on the people, companies, research and innovation shaping Maine's developing space economy. The 2026 conference is scheduled for the Roux Institute/WEX building in downtown Portland.

The regional gathering for founders, clinicians, investors and operators working in medical devices, biotech and digital health across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The 2026 theme is Reimagining Healthcare, with keynotes, panels, breakouts and a pitch competition.