Nine startups showcase at Maine Innovation Nights
May 19, 2022
Nine Startups Showcase at Maine Innovation Nights
Nine startup companies – including four tech companies, three food/beverage companies, and two social service companies – introduced products and services to an enthusiastic audience at UpStart Maine’s recent Maine Innovation Nights.
This was UpStart Maine’s second Maine Innovation Night, and a third is scheduled for the Fall. A number of the featured companies are based in rural and small-town Maine, which, according to Corey Zimmerman, chair of UpStart Maine’s Events Committee, is an important target for the event.
The Tech Companies
Attenex of Portland provides a DIY market research tool for small businesses, guided by experts. It brings market research within reach of companies that may not think it is otherwise accessible.
DroneYourOwn, a startup based in Belfast, has developed an online marketplace to match organizations who need aerial photography with FAA-certified drone pilots.
SlicPix, based in Dresden, presented marketing software with patented, interactive image technology. It allows a customer to click on images on a business website (such as any of the elements shown in an image of a person wearing outdoor clothing and sporting outdoor gear) and get the information needed about any specific item in the image without further searching.
TrustedRentr, a graduate of the UMaine Foster Center for Innovation in Orono, has an online tool that improves and simplifies the rental application and screening process for tenants and landlords.
The Food/Beverage Companies
A** Over Teakettle makes bloody mary mixers and other specialty food products out of their kitchen in Cornville.
Flora ex Machina of Blue Hill is re-launching an innovative superspread – Royal Ghee – that fuses ancient wisdom with modern living to create a delicious, a multiuse food product.
The Good Crust, based in Canaan, produces frozen pizza dough made of 100% freshly milled Maine Grains. It is a good fit for, among others, restaurants showcasing wood-fired pizza ovens.
The Social Service Companies
Awen offers a coaching program – both in-person and virtual -- for families and partners impacted by a loved one’s addiction.
Digitunity is a national nonprofit now with a Maine presence that, with the help of pre-qualified community organizations, matches donated computers with recipients in need. The aim is to eliminate the Technology Gap for the many who do not have computers for education, jobs, and other basic needs.
UpStart Maine (www.upstartmaine.org) is a coalition of entrepreneur support facilities and programs in the Bangor Region, including Bangor Innovation Center, Bangor Region Top Gun, Big Gig pitch-off, Foster Center for Innovation, MaineStream Finance, RIZE Coworking, Scratchpad Accelerator and UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship. Together they are the Bangor Region’s innovation hub that connects entrepreneurs statewide to grow their businesses.
Maine Innovation Nights was made possible by these sponsors: Maine Community Foundation, Maine Technology Institute, Bangor Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank, LG&H Certified Public Accountants, Rudman Winchell, City of Brewer, BNI, and Briggs Solutions for Business Services.
Contact:
Evan Richert, UpStart Maine Board of Directors
innovation@upstartmaine.org, (207) 570-1971
