WATERVILLE, MAINE, April 2022 — Calling all Entrepreneurs, Creators, Ideators, Makers and Doers! Thomas College’s Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation (HAIBI) will be hosting The Roux Institute’s Maine Start Summit in-person on its campus April 29, 30and May 1.
Similar to what is referred to as a ‘startup’ weekend, the two-and-a-half-day hackathon style event is designed to lower the barrier of entry for aspiring founders and startup curious individuals. Attendees are invited to form teams, develop a unique idea, and with the help of an all-star line-up of mentors, learn how to build and pitch a successful business.
Four entrepreneurial workshops will be presented on Saturday to help each team build out their idea and develop a prototype before they have a chance to pitch for prize money on Sunday. Workshop Facilitators include: Julene Gervais, of Greenlight Maine, Leslie Hyman, of Circa, Nick Rimsa, of Tortoise Labs, and Owen Sanderson, of IA Collaborative.
“Having this event here in Waterville is incredibly important for the region. It’s a chance to showcase the fact that Waterville has one of the most comprehensive and robust entrepreneurial ecosystems in the State,” said Mike Duguay, Executive Director of the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College
“Waterville has established itself as Maine’s newest innovation hub with programs to serve entrepreneurs at every stage of development,” said Dirigo Labs’ Managing Director, Susan Ruhlin. “With incredible academic institutions and an advantageous geographic location for workforce development, the area offers multiple strategic opportunities for new ventures.”
Hosting the first of Roux’s Maine Start Summit was a natural progression for Waterville’s entrepreneurial community. “Now that we have all the pieces needed to serve entrepreneurs at every level of development, it was time for us to reach out to the entrepreneurs in the region and throughout the state to make sure they knew that they could start and grow businesses right here in the Waterville area,” said Duguay.
Registration for the event is available online at www.thomas.edu/create. For more information on the event or for registration assistance, please call 207-859-1159.
About Thomas College: Thomas College has been preparing students for success in their personal and professional lives for over 125 years. Thomas College nurtures the unique potential within each student. Our Guaranteed Job Program, 3-year accelerated offerings in all undergraduate degrees, individualized advising, career counseling, and our Innovation Centers in Business and Education meet a student’s determination to succeed with the direction, confidence, and tools to realize the highest version of themselves. Our graduate degree offerings fit your lifestyle ranging from in-person and on-campus to 100% online degree programs. From the classroom to community activities, or on the athletics field with our 19 varsity sports, Thomas College provides a personalized experience that prepares you for the workplace of tomorrow. U.S. News & World Report ranks us #1 among colleges in Maine and #10 in the Northeast for social mobility of our graduates. For more information, visit www.thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at pr@thomas.edu or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.