Events

Oct
29
2026

Dirigo Labs Speaker Series: Steve Getz

5:30 pm - 7:00 pmIn Person

Location: Bricks CoWorking Space, Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water Street, Waterville, ME

Join us for the Dirigo Labs Speaker Series featuring Steve Getz, co-founder of Soba Sparkle and Maine Crisps. Steve has helped build and lead two successful Maine-based companies: Soba Sparkle and Maine Crisps. Drawing on that experience, he will be talking about 'Go-to-Market Strategy & Getting Your First 10 Customers.' Come learn practical, hard-won lessons on launching a product and landing your earliest customers.
Nov
05
2026

Better Maine 2026: Working With AI

12:30 pm - 5:15 pmIn Person

Location: Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main St., Waterville

Better Maine 2026: Working With AI is a half-day working summit for those interest in the topics involving artificial intelligence in the workplace. An afternoon built to bring together those who are on the frontlines of how Maine's workforce is adapting and adopting artificial intelligence tools and what it means for the future of our workforce. Who it's for: employers, HR and operations leaders, community leaders, educators, and workforce providers — especially the nine-person company with no IT department. When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 12:30 – 5:15 PM. Doors open at 12:30 with light refreshments and the program starts at 1:00. The afternoon moves between Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main Street, Waterville. Now in its fifth year, Better Maine is hosted by the Central Maine Growth Council and Dirigo Labs in downtown Waterville. Space is limited to 100. Register here.
Nov
17
2026

Dirigo Launch Demo Day

5 pm - 7 pmvirtual

Location: Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Ave, Fairfield, ME

The Fall 2026 Dirigo Launch Incubator cohort wraps up its 10-week program with Demo Day. After ten weeks of expert-led workshops, mentorship, and customer discovery, the participating Maine founders take the stage to pitch their early-stage ventures to the Dirigo Labs community. RSVP here.
Nov
17
2026

Back of the Napkin Challenge 2026

5 pm - 7 pmIn Person

Location: Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Ave, Fairfield, ME

The Back of the Napkin Challenge is Dirigo Labs' annual pitch competition for student entrepreneurs from Thomas College, Colby College, and Kennebec Valley Community College. Each competitor starts with a business idea sketched on a napkin — a storefront, service, or product that could make life better in Mid-Maine — and nine finalists pitch live before a judging panel for cash prizes. This year's event is held alongside the Dirigo Launch Demo Day for an evening celebrating Mid-Maine entrepreneurship. RSVP here.

Past Events

Sep
17
2026

Dirigo Labs Speaker Series: Nate Pelsma

5:30 pm - 7:00 pmIn Person

Location: Bricks Coworking and Innovation Space, Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water St., Suite 110, Waterville

Join us for the Dirigo Labs Speaker Series featuring Nate Pelsma for a talk on 'From Idea to Insight: Understanding Your Ideal Customer.' Nate Pelsma is the Executive Director of Business Innovation and Corporate Campus at Thomas College, where he leads innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives and strengthens partnerships between the college and the business community. With more than 25 years of experience spanning education, nonprofit, and business sectors, Nate specializes in helping founders and growing organizations build the leadership, team dynamics, and culture needed to turn great ideas into lasting success.
Jul
16
2026

Federal Funding Summit

8 am - 3 pmIn Person

Location: Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main St, Waterville, ME

An Introduction to Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs Reserve Your Spot here.
Jun
18
2026

Dirigo Labs Speaker Series: Sarah Smith, Executive Director of StartUp Maine

5:30 pm - 7 pmIn Person

Location: Bricks Coworking and Innovation Space 10 Water St., Suite 110, Waterville, Maine

Join us for a discussion recapping Maine StartUp Week and the state of Maine's startup ecosystem with Sarah Smith, Executive Director of StartUp Maine. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Contact: Kaitlyn@centralmaine.org

May
28
2026

2026 Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition

5:30 pm - 8 pmIn Person

Location: Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main St., Waterville

12 companies pitching for $25,000 in prizes. Format: Companies will give 5-minute pitches. 2 minutes for judges to ask questions. Judges will be given a criterion, award categories and time to confer after seeing the pitches. Prize Sponsor: Skowhegan Savings Bank Limited seats available. Reserve your spot here. Learn more about the event, judges, and competing companies →
Watch the Recording
May
14
2026

From Innovation to Impact: Clean Tech Investing + Opportunity with Mike Jackson

5:30 pm - 7 pmIn Person

Location: Bricks Coworking and Innovations Space 10 Water St., Suite 110, Waterville

Join us for a forward-looking conversation with Mike Jackson, Managing Director of Earthshot Ventures, a leading climate-focused venture capital firm investing in high-growth companies driving environmental and economic impact.

Contact: Kaitlyn@centralmaine.org

Watch the Recording
Apr
23
2026

A Discussion on Startup Funding with Ralph Nodine, Maine Angels Chair Emeritus

5:30 pm - 7 pmIn Person

Location: Bricks Coworking Hathaway Creative Center 10 Water St. Waterville, Maine

Join the 2026 Dirigo Labs accelerator cohort, past cohort companies and members of the Maine startup ecosystem for this event. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Contact: Kaitlyn@centralmaine.org

Watch the Recording
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