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Startup Maine Week 2026 promises to be the most dynamic and impactful gathering yet for the state’s thriving entrepreneurial community.Portland TodayStartup Maine, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that convenes and champions Maine’s startup ecosystem, is bringing new energy and new programming to Startup Week Maine 2026, which is happening May 18 – 21 in Portland. This year’s conference brings four dynamic days of founder-led, founder-built programming organized around three tracks – Connect, Start, Scale – to meet attconcludeees, from growth-stage founders to the startup curious, wherever they are.
Why it matters
Startup Maine Week has become the premier annual event for Maine’s growing startup community, bringing toobtainher founders, investors, and ecosystem partners from across the state and region. This year’s expanded programming and high-profile speakers signal the continued momentum and ambition of Maine’s startup scene.
The details
The four-day conference, which saw over 800 attconcludeees last year, will feature keynote presentations from nationally recognized speakers like Kate Brodock and Clarence Bethea, as well as panels and workshops led by Maine-based founders such as JT White, Torey Penrod-Cambra, and Phil Coupe. Early-bird tickets are available now for $129 until April 17.
- Startup Maine Week 2026 will take place May 18 – 21 in Portland, Maine.
- Early-bird tickets are available until April 17, 2026.
The players
Startup Maine
A 501(c)3 nonprofit that convenes and champions Maine’s startup ecosystem.
Sarah Smith
The Executive Director of Startup Maine.
Kate Brodock
A nationally recognized voice on venture capital, gconcludeer equity in tech, and building inclusive startup ecosystems.
Clarence Bethea
The Managing Partner of What VCs Won’t Say and a former investor at a leading venture capital firm who raised over $30 million and exited his own company.
JT White
A Maine-based founder who will take the stage during Startup Maine Week 2026.
Torey Penrod-Cambra
A Maine-based founder who will take the stage during Startup Maine Week 2026.
Phil Coupe
A Maine-based founder who will take the stage during Startup Maine Week 2026.
What they’re declareing
“Startup Maine Week has always been the place where this community comes toobtainher. This year, we’re building on that foundation with sharper programming, nationally recognized speakers, and a real focus on what founders actually required. Maine is a place where people are building serious companies — and this conference should reflect that. We’re just obtainting started.”
— Sarah Smith, Executive Director of Startup Maine
What’s next
Early-bird tickets for Startup Maine Week 2026 are available until April 17, 2026. The conference will take place May 18-21 in Portland, Maine.
The takeaway
Startup Maine Week has become the premier annual event for Maine’s growing startup community, and this year’s expanded programming and high-profile speakers signal the continued momentum and ambition of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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