Introduction to Startup Maine & the Startup Ecosystem

Maine has a growing network of founders, investors, and support organizations, but for many consultants it's not obvious how that startup ecosystem fits together or where they can plug in. In this interactive session, Sarah Smith, Executive Director of Startup Maine, will introduce the state's leading nonprofit advancing Maine's startup ecosystem, share what's happening across the startup community statewide, and explore practical ways consultants can engage with Startup Maine and the startups it serves.

Key Takeaways

• Get an overview of the startup ecosystem throughout Maine.
• Learn how to engage with Startup Maine and with startups.
• Understand what Startup Maine does to advance the state's startup community.

Sarah Smith is Executive Director of Startup Maine and brings nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community building. She began her career as a Venture for America Fellow in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she scaled a global fintech accelerator and became deeply engaged in the city's startup community. She then joined Ernst & Young, where she launched and led an innovation center, EY wavespace™, partnering with corporations, startups, nonprofits, and the City of Charlotte to align innovation initiatives with the region's economic development goals. After relocating to Maine, Sarah continued her work through VentureFuel, a business innovation consultancy, where she led the team supporting Comcast NBCUniversal's LIFT Labs Enterprise Accelerator, connecting high-growth AI startups with company business leaders. A graduate of Georgetown University and a Startup Maine board member since 2024, Sarah is passionate about building community, strengthening local economies, and helping founders turn bold ideas into impact.