June is abuzz with a number of sensational events occurring in Maine’s innovation ecosystem. Please make sure you check them out. First and foremost, be sure to attend TechWalk 2016. TechWalk is MTI’s annual opportunity to celebrate the success of its programs and showcase its impressive portfolio companies. TechWalk will occur on Wednesday, June 22 from 5P – 7:30P at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel in Portland. Admission is free for this energizing networking opportunity. Come out and participate in this stimulating event and witness the remarkable innovations conceived by extraordinary Maine entrepreneurs and companies.
TechWalk 2016 is aligned with the immensely successful and eagerly anticipated Maine Startup & Create Week (MSCW), sponsored by MTI. Like the successful events in 2014 and 2015, MSCW will attract thousands of entrepreneurial-minded individuals and will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and anticipated networking opportunities. MSCW occurs during the week of June 20 – 26. Visit mainestartupandcreateweek.com for additional information and to register.
Here is a sampling of events some members of MTI’s staff plan to attend:
Brian Whitney, President: I am thrilled to attend the Greenlight Maine Finale on Friday evening at the Merrill Auditorium to find out which of the 3 finalists – Revolution Research, Garbage to Garden, and Chimani – ends up walking away with the $100,000 prize. In addition to honoring the incredible entrepreneurs and companies that are competing for the prize it will also be a celebration of the impact the Greenlight Maine contest has had on Maine and its economy over the past year.
Emily Ernst Cordray, Director of Finance and Administration: During MCSW, I am most looking forward to making connections with other attendees who are doing strong, meaningful work in all corners of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, both across Maine and beyond. Maine has such a wealth of talent across such a broad spectrum, and I am always inspired by what we can accomplish when we all gather together.
Lou Simms, Portfolio Associate: I’m looking forward to the Monday afternoon MixPo: Maine’s Research and Develop-ment Community. This event, part mixer, part expo, will be an excellent opportunity to connect with Maine’s best and brightest innovators, showcasing the extraordinary advancements emerging within our great State. As part of the MTI team, I look forward to seeing many of our budding portfolio companies who are effectively growing their enterprises – while also meeting aspiring entrepreneurs who may be able to utilize MTI resources as their springboard to success! No surprise that such an innovative event was borne out of Maine’s fabulous Start Up and Create Week.
Patti Sutter, Web Communications Manager: I’m looking forward to the Wednesday lightning workshop, Social Media: The ROI and How to Track It. The concept of social media return on investment is a business metric, and it can be overwhelming, as it’s a broad topic that constantly evolves! I love learning the latest tips, tricks and resources that can help us utilize social media in communicating with our audience. I also like hearing what other workshop attendees are doing and what they find most effective.