Dirigo Labs

04/30/2026

Love seeing opportunities like this from Maine Venture Fund!

The Maine Startup Challenge 2026 is open for applications,but not for long. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, now’s the time to go for it!

💰 $17,000 in cash prizes
📅 Deadline: Friday, May 1

🔗 https://www.maineventurefund.com/maine-startup-challenge/

There is less than a week left to apply for the Maine Startup Challenge 2026 — and we’re seeing ideas coming in from across the state.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time,” this is it.

You don’t need a perfect plan or experience. Turn your idea into a business plan and compete for the $17,000 of cash prizes we will be awarding.

We are excited to see what you’re building.

📅 Deadline: THIS Friday, May 1!

https://buff.ly/lIahOoA

04/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our April Dirigo Labs Speaker Series featuring Ralph Nodine, Chair Emeritus of Maine Angels.

We welcomed 20 attendees to Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space in Waterville for an engaging conversation on startup funding, investor perspectives, and Maine’s evolving investment landscape. Founders, entrepreneurs, and members of Maine’s innovation ecosystem had the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and connect with our 2026 Dirigo Labs accelerator cohort companies.

Conversations like these help strengthen Maine’s startup community by creating space for honest discussions around growth, capital, and what it takes to build and scale successful ventures.

A big thank you to Ralph for sharing his experience and perspective and to everyone who joined us for the evening!

If you missed the event or would like to revisit the conversation, you can watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPeAZfv4-k

Next up: our May Speaker Series featuring Mike Jackson, Managing Director of Earthshot Ventures, on May 14th. Join us for a conversation on clean tech investing and innovation opportunities.

📅 May 14 | 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space
10 Water St., Waterville, ME

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7KfpMc5H/

04/24/2026

Join us for the Dirigo Labs 2026 Pitch Competition!

After months of mentorship, strategy, and growth through the Dirigo Labs Accelerator, this year’s cohort of founders is ready to take the stage and pitch their ventures live for a chance to win the $25,000 grand prize sponsored by Skowhegan Savings.

From marine innovation and advanced manufacturing to cleantech, food systems, and emerging technology, these entrepreneurs represent some of Maine’s most exciting and promising startups.

Come support local innovation, connect with founders, investors, and community leaders, and celebrate the future of Maine business.

📅 Thursday, May 28
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Greene Block + Studios, Waterville

This event is free to attend, but registration is required!

🎟 Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dirigo-labs-2026-pitch-competition-tickets-1987069884515

04/16/2026

Big momentum for Maine’s forest products and manufacturing economy!

Maine Plywood USA, a company from our Dirigo Labs Cohort 4, has received USDA support for a planned plywood plant in Somerset County, an important step toward revitalizing local manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and creating new economic opportunities in the region.

Maine Plywood USA LLC, set to receive $11.9 million in loan guarantees through the USDA Rural Development program, is expected to employ up to 110 people.

04/03/2026

We’re excited to be working alongside Kara Wilbur, founder of Dooryard, in Dirigo Labs’ current accelerator cohort, supporting their efforts to rethink how housing is designed and built here in Maine.

This recent recognition from Mainebiz is a great reflection of the impact they’re already making, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead for their team!

Kara Wilbur has been part of efforts to build affordable, multifamily housing in places that haven’t had new housing in years, like Madison and Rumford, and in places where additional housing is needed, like Newcastle, Brunswick and Yarmouth.

03/30/2026

Congratulations to Jen Millard and mainelove on this well-deserved recognition from Mainebiz!

We’re proud to have had Mainelove as part of Dirigo Labs’ fourth cohort, and it’s exciting to see their continued growth and impact across Maine and beyond.

Jen Millard founded mainelove in 2024 to package water from Sebago Lake in recyclable aluminum cans. Today, the brand is in 500-plus stores.

03/12/2026

From Dirigo Labs’ first cohort to the rocket booster market 🚀

We’re proud to see bluShift Aerospace continuing to advance and refine their work in aerospace innovation. bluShift was part of the first Dirigo Labs accelerator cohort and took home the $25,000 Pitch Competition prize sponsored by Skowhegan Savings Bank. It’s exciting to watch their continued growth and innovation coming out of Maine.

Check out the latest update on their next chapter:

The Brunswick-based startup is marketing its non‑toxic, bio‑derived fuel and a patent‑pending oxidizer system as an alternative to traditional solid rocket motors.

03/10/2026

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2026 Dirigo Labs Accelerator cohort! This year, we welcome 12 innovative startups from various sectors including AI, marine technology, and clean energy. With a focus on early-stage growth, our 16-week program aims to empower these founders with essential tools for success. Join us as we support Maine's entrepreneurial spirit and drive economic growth in our region!

https://www.dirigolabs.org/dirigo-labs-announced-2026-accelerator-cohort/

Email from Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Exciting Innovations Await! Explore Dirigo Labs' 2026 Accelerator Cohort.     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Dirigo Labs Announced 2026 Accelerator Cohort From Workin

01/29/2026

Are you thinking about starting a business?

New Ventures Maine is hosting a free, online Exploring Self-Employment workshop with multiple upcoming dates. Learn the basics and see if self-employment is right for you!

You want to start a business.
New Ventures Maine can help!

This free workshop will help you decide if self-employment is the right choice for you.

Exploring Self-Employment is coming up:
Tuesday, February 3, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. 🌙 Online
Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. 🔆 Online
Tuesday, March 3, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. 🔆 Online

Our professional staff will cover topics including:
✏️ How to assess your business idea
✏️ Forming and naming your business
✏️ Elements of a business plan
✏️ Strategies and resources for success

For more information and to register:
bit.ly/NVMEClasses



New Ventures Maine is a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine System.

01/20/2026

Only 2 days to go!
We’re excited to host Jonathan Godbout for our January Dirigo Labs Speaker Series, exploring what’s next for Waterville’s Sacred Heart Church.

Come learn, ask questions, and be part of the conversation shaping Waterville’s future.

📅 Thursday, January 22 | 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 10 Water St., Suite 110, Waterville
🎟️ Free & open to the public
RSVP to save your spot today at: https://www.facebook.com/share/172BofCE7x/

12/16/2025

Tonight’s the night!

We’re excited to welcome Dr. David Watts for our December Speaker Series at Dirigo Labs.

If you’re curious about AI that puts people first, this conversation is for you.

🕠 5:30 -7:00 pm
📍 Bricks Coworking, Waterville
💻 Can’t make it in person? Join via Zoom!
https://zoom.us/j/97569014371?pwd=C7oJbbm7JBRzFMDiSUe4mt7uGZMQiJ.1