Dirigo Labs

?? Mark your calendar! Dirigo Labs is hosting a DOE SBIR/STTR Workshop on December 11th, from 12:30-1:30pm, presented by DOE SBIR/STTR staff! Get an overview of the program and dive into the newest topic releases that could fund your next big project. Open to innovators, researchers, and small businesses—don’t miss it! Register here to secure your spot - https://lnkd.in/e663rE_r. ??? #SBIR #DOE #DirigoLabs #SmallBiz

Join for an exciting celebration of Maine’s most promising startups! The Maine Startup Challenge Showcase, hosted by Maine Venture Fund, will be held on Wednesday, November 13th, from 4:00-5:30 PM. This is an evening of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community—whether you’re a finalist, an applicant, or simply passionate about Maine’s growing startup scene, we welcome you to join the excitement! #innovation #entrepreneurship #ideation #businessdevelopment

Congratulations to Patrick Caron, an inaugural cohort member of Dirigo Labs and founder of Move Free, on his appointment to the board of the Maine Sports Commission! This achievement reflects his dedication to enhancing Maine’s sports and recreation industries. Well done, Patrick! #outdoorrecreation #entrepreneurship

Such a great article and interview by Mainebiz with inaugural cohort member and Co-Founder and operational CEO of Ocean Farm Supply Erin Adams! ?? Read more about the Ocean Harvest Bag, made from beechwood cellulose fiber, below! #innovation #aquaculture #businessdevelopment

“Kennebec Savings Bank is excited to be the Lead Sponsor for this year’s Better Maine Conference, especially as it centers on creating more equitable workplaces. The event provides an important opportunity to explore new strategies and spark conversations that lead to actionable change,” said Kennebec Savings Bank Vice President & Marketing & Communications Officer Amanda Cooley. “We’re excited to participate in discussions that will shape how we approach workforce development and community building in Maine.” #diversity #equity #inclusion #workforcedevelopment

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