February NEWSLETTER

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MCED is pleased to announce 2 new clients

Just one Click to Help MCED!

Make a difference!

Client Updates

Business Resource of the Month

Upcoming Events

     “Effective PR” workshop Feb 11

     Maine Entrepreneurs LinkedIn Monthly Networking Meeting 2/17
     Maine's celebration of National Entrepreneurship Wk 2/20-2/27

     "Calling All Entrepreneurs" coaching sessions  w/Maine Angels 2/23

     Go Create the Next Big Company workshop 2/23

Links to information on our services, clients and sponsors

Effective PR - Dealing With News Media in the Age of Twitter Feb 11

Calling All Entrepreneurs - coaching sessions w/ Maine Angels Feb 23

How to Use Google Analytics to Improve Your Website Mar 11

Financing Terms with SEGF Mar 25

Strategic Communication Planning: eliminate the “oh, no, I didn’t think
        of that” factor April 8

link to past 2010 workshops

Partner Events:

  week Feb 8

  week Feb 15

  week Feb 22

save the dates!

  - National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 20-27, 2010

  - Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute-3 days (Feb 24-26)

  - MIX (Maine Investment Exchange) Forum March 24

MTI deadlines

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) organization at USM

NEWS

Click to HELP MCED get more votes at potential funder polls

Top Gun William Ashland of Disaster Game in Mainebiz
Becky Stockbridge McKinnell of iBecCreative in Mainebiz

Thanks to all 2009 presenters of MCED workshop series

Berry Talbot Royer CPA's January newsletter

The SunriseGuide featured PPH Biz section front page

AccelGolf's William Sulinski on Mainebiz Sunday WCSH6

TOP GUN showcase celebration pitch day is front page news!

MCED announces 5 Additional Board of Directors

Top Gun Advisor John Burns honored by FAME

Two MCED companies win MTI seed grants in November
MCED onsite Professionals-in-Residence win Marketing contest!

Top Gun Company Atayne in Fox Business & The Washington Post

MCED onsite Professionals-in-Residence featured PortlandBiz

CEI awarded $1.25 M for New Markets Tax Credit Program

MCED graduate AccelGolf named to MaineBiz Nxt 2009 list

Top Gun Advance Electronic Concepts wins Oct Dev. Award

MCED's Silver Performance Gear featured Portland Daily Sun

iBec Creative highlighted in Justin Ellis "Nxt" blog

iBec Creative nominated by Business Week for Best under 25

Amy Ireland of Zumsports wins Victoria Hillard Donovan Award

Top Gun Liquid Wireless nominated finalist - Speed Venture 09

Top Gun Company Atayne in MaineBiz "new ventures" 10/5/09

AccelGolf media notice & accolades @ Techstars pitch night

Top Gun Reception segment broadcast on Channel 8 news

Top Gun Entrepreneur Bruno Marino gets DOE funding  

New Professionals-in-Residence Program at MCED

MCED launches pilot Top Gun Applied Entrepreneurship Prog.

MCED selects 12 Top Gun Entrepreneurs

MCED recognizes Sponsors new Top Gun Entrepreneurs

Million Dollar Women's "solopreneur" sessions introduced

Organic Alchemy Composting wins 2009 Biz Plan Competition

MTI awards $50K Cluster Initiative Grant to MCED for TopGun Pilot

mCaddie receives MTI Development Award

mCaddie wins Canada's Queens University Competition
MTI announces Awards over $1M to Boost ME’s Technology Clusters
 

ANNUAL EVENTS OF NOTE:

National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 2009

Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Inst - April 2009

Business Evolution 2009 -  April 2009

entreverge's Inaugural Awards Party - June 2009

Invention to Venture Conference June 2009

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) projects

Click here for link to news archives over 1 yr

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Feb 23 - Calling all Entrepreneurs - sign up for 15 min dialog with
             Maine Angel Entrepreneurs/Investors to get feedback on a
             business idea or perhaps help in navigating a troublesome
             issue. Pre-register = by appointment only. (sold out last yr)
             <click here for details 2/23>

Mar 11- How to Use Google Analytics to Improve Your Website with
            Carole Mahoney, Mahoney Internet Marketing
                <click here for details 3/11>

Mar 25 - Financing Terms with SEGF

April 8 - Strategic Communication Planning with Susan deGrandpre
            of Collaboration Consulting
            <click here for details 4/8>

May 13 - TBA

May 27 - Caselets of Management Challenges with Ann Leamon of
              Harvard Business School

June 10 - TBA

June 24 - TBA

Click link to pre-register for any MCED workshops

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Feb 20-27, 2010

MCED and Maine's Eweek Coalition recognize National Entrepreneurship Week

Maine’s EWeek Coalition sponsors statewide panel discussions, workshops and networking events that promote, educate, inspire and raise the visibility of Maine’s Entrepreneurs during the 4th Annual National Entrepreneurship Week the end of February.

For info on events in Maine go to http://www.eweekmaine.com/ 
For info on activities across the country: www.NationalEweek.com)

Sponsor: Maine’s EWeek Coalition, MCED, Maine SBDC, Others

Time:. daily

Place: statewide

Contact: Click Here For More information

Highlighted events:

Monday February 22

Calling All Entrepreneurs - Orono

Entrepreneurs sign up for 15 min dialog with Maine Angel coaches to get feedback on a business idea or perhaps help navigating a troublesome issue. Access to experienced entrepreneurs/investors BY APPOINTMENT
Sponsor: Maine Angels and Univ. of Maine

Time: 11-3

 Place: Target Technology Center, 20 Godfrey Drive, Orono

Cost: no charge

Sign up: theresa.paladino@umit.maine.edu  or 207-866-6500

with entrepreneur name, idea or company name, 10 word description of idea, email address and phone contact info. website address if applicable. No formal presentations or written materials are expected.

** Also available in Portland on Tues 2/23 and Brunswick Wed 2/24

Tuesday February 23

Calling All Entrepreneurs - Portland

Entrepreneurs sign up for 15 min dialog with Maine Angel coaches to get feedback on a business idea or perhaps help navigating a troublesome issue. Access to experienced entrepreneurs/investors BY APPOINTMENT
Sponsor: Maine Center for Enterprise Development and Maine Angels

Time: noon - 5pm

 Place: Room 212 Abromson Center, USM Portland Campus

Cost: no charge

Sign up: eweekmaine@mced.biz with entrepreneur name, idea or company name, 10 word description of idea, email address and phone contact info. website address if applicable. No formal presentations or written materials are expected.

** Also available in Brunswick Wed 2/24

Tuesday February 23

Go Create the Next Big Company workshop

Interactive opportunity with 4-6 top entrepreneurs under 30. Each Entrepreneur has 20 minutes interaction via text messaging with audience. 3 MCED client entrepreneurs will be featured!

     - Becky Stockbridge McKinnell from iBecCreative

     - William Sulinski from AccelGolf 

     - Jeremy Litchfield from Atayne

Location: Hannaford Lecture Hall 

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

FMI: www.createmaine.com

Wednesday February 24, 2010

Calling All Entrepreneurs - Brunswick

Entrepreneurs sign up for 15 min dialog with Maine Angel coaches to get feedback on a business idea or perhaps help navigating a troublesome issue. Access to experienced entrepreneurs/investors BY APPOINTMENT

Coaches include: John Burns, Fund Manager and Jayme Okma Lee, Fund Associate, Small Enterprise Growth Fund (www.segfmaine.com), Betsy Biemann, President of Maine Technology Institute (www.mainetechnology.org ) Drew Watt, President of Common Good Ventures (www.commongoodventures.com)

Sponsor: Small Enterprise Growth Fund (SEGF), MTI, Maine Angels

Time: 9-2

 Place: Bowdoin College, Smith Union

Cost: no charge

Sign up:  Jayme Okma Lee at 975-1423 or jayme@segfmaine.com with entrepreneur name, idea or company name, 10 word description of idea, email address and phone contact info. website address if applicable.
No formal presentations or written materials are expected.

** Also available in Portland Wed 2/23

Thursday February 25, 2010

2nd Annual Maine Million Dollar Women's Forum 

This year's panelists include:

     - Susan Bouchard - Pioneer Telephone  

     - Mary Ellen Fitzgerald  - Critical Insights

     - Kelly Flagg - Flaggship Landscaping

     - Mary Allen Lindeman - Coffee by Design

     - Beth Sturtevant - CCB, Inc.

Location: Abromson Center at USM, Bedford Street Portland

Time: 8:30- 11:30
Cost: $20 in advance    $25 at the door

Registration: Visit website for more information & registration

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2010 workshop series: THANKS TO OUR PRESENTERS!

January: "New Year REVOLUTION"

Presented by Jim Bouchard

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Monthly Networking Meeting

Maine Entrepreneurs LinkedIn Discussion Group

** Usually the 3rd Wed of the month at the Cumberland Club, courtesy of Macdonald Page

Topic: TBA

Date: Wednesday Feb 17, 2010

Time: 6-8 pm

Place: The Cumberland Club 116 High St, Portland <directions>

Contact: RSVP to Kirk Hill on Maine Entreprenuer’s Group LinkedIn Click Here

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Monday February 8, 2010

Starting Your Small Business

Join us for this fast-paced, informative evening covering everything you’ll need to know to start your small business. Examine entrepreneurial characteristics, outline your business plan (and why it is important to prepare one), understand marketing and pricing, and how to finance your startup costs. Leave better prepared to take that next big step.

Sponsor:

Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm

Place: OOB High School Rm109 40 E. Emerson Cummings Blvd

Cost: $19

Contact: Click here to Register of FMI

Thursday February 11, 2010

“Effective PR - Dealing With News Media in the Age of Twitter”
Presenter: Skip King
Date: Thurs, February 11, 2010
Time: 12:00 – 12:20 registration 12:30-2:30 Workshop
Location: Room 214 Abromson Center - USM
Cost: $10.00 (payable the day of the seminar)
          FREE for USM students with an ID card
RSVP to workshops@mced.biz
More Info: call MCED at 228-8524

Beyond SEO: Alternative Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website

This workshop is designed for both those who have a business website already as well as those who are in the planning process for developing a business website.   (Previously part of the Marketing & Promoting Your Website workshop.)

You can participate in this workshop online either live in the virtual classroom, or you can access a recorded, self-paced version of the workshop where you ask the instructor questions in a discussion board/bulletin board format, or you can do both!  The self-paced option for this workshop is accessible 24 hours a day for a two week period following the live workshop. To participate in this online workshop, you must have a computer on which you can download software (Windows 2000 or OS10 or above)  with access to the internet (dialup is fine) and speakers or a computer headset/microphone. Generally you cannot take this workshop using a public access computers (e.g., libraries, Career Centers).

Sponsor: WBC@CEI

Time: Live Online: February 11th, 2010 9:00 am-11:00 am

          Self-Paced:  February 12th through February 25th, 2010

 Place: Online

Cost: $15.00 

Contact:Click here to register

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Tuesday February 16, 2010

Marketing and Sales

This workshop covers all aspects of marketing and sales. It will include both instruction and a discussion of: - Your product or service and its value or benefit to your customers - The market where you operate - Targeting customers....those most apt to buy your offering - Pricing Strategies - Promotion and advertising strategies - Your competition

Sponsor: SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business

Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

 Place: 100 Middle Street, 2nd Floor, Portland

Cost: $30

Contact: Click here to register or FMI

Wednesday February 17, 2010

The Art of Networking

We all know that networking is important, even critical to our success. Donors choose a nonprofit, in part, because they know and trust the staff. Learn how to become an expert networker, even if it's new to you or something you've been uncomfortable doing in the past. Join us for this half-day SkillBuilder where we'll discuss the importance of networking as well as review some networking "homeruns" and common mistakes

Sponsor: Maine Association of Nonprofits

Time: 9am-noon

 Place: UMA Campus Center on Community Drive, Augusta

Cost: $50, NonMember: $100

Contact: Click here to register or FMI

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Budgeting Basics Workshop

In this workshop, you will learn about the basic components for building a budget. We will discuss money tracking, goal setting, and how having a sense of your overall financial situation can assist you in the process of building a budget.

Sponsor: Maine Association of Nonprofits

Time: 9am-noon

 Place: UMA Campus Center on Community Drive, Augusta

Cost: FREE

Contact: To Register or more information

Adopting Rapid e-Learning

Do you have multiple audiences to reach in multiple locations with new product knowledge or company policies? Do you need to cut back on your training travel expenses? Do you have high turnover? If you answered yes to any of these questions, now's the time to introduce rapid e-Learning to your organization! Learn how at this informative 1 day workshop at VTEC. Topics covered: Rapid e-Learning Basics; Building your internal team; Applying the agile development process.

Workshop limited to 25 attendees

Sponsor: VTEC Education Center

Time: 9-4:30

 Place: 50 Foden Road, South Portland

Cost: $195.00

Contact: 207.699.3403- FMI

Friday February 19, 2010

Culture As We Know It: The role it plays in our daily lives

We often hear the words "culturally competent services" in professional lives, maybe a bit too often. What does that really mean when each

individual brings his or her own cultural frame-work? We've come a long way in understanding differences and in developing highly evolved

systems and practices to meet the needs of our clientele which is increasingly becoming racially and ethnically diverse. This talk takes you on a journey of self assessment and personal development that is relevant to your professional growth. This workshop is for professionals who engage diverse organizational stakeholders as it explores the role of culture and changing dynamics within an organization.

Sponsor: A.C.E

Time: 7:30 am -9:30 am

Place: Portland Country Club

Cost: $17.00/members, $22.00/guests

Contact: Register Here

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February 20, 2010-February 27, 2010

National Entrepreneurship Week 2010 in Maine

Maine’s EWeek Coalition sponsors panel discussions, workshops and networking events that promote, educate, inspire and raise the visibility of Maine’s Entrepreneurs.

For more information www.eweekmaine.com or <click here>
For events & activities across the country: www.NationalEweek.com

Sponsor: Maine’s EWeek Coalition, MCED, Maine SBDC, Others

Time:. daily

Place: statewide

Contact: Click Here for more information on eWeek Maine

Tuesday February 23

Calling All Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs sign up for 15 min dialog with Maine Angel coaches to get feedback on a business idea or perhaps help navigating a troublesome issue. Access to experienced entrepreneurs/investors BY APPOINTMENT

Sponsor: Maine Center for Enterprise Development and Maine Angels

Time: noon - 5pm

 Place: Room 212 Abromson Center, USM Portland Campus

Cost: no charge

Contact: eweekmaine@mced.biz with entrepreneur name, idea or company name, 10 word description of idea, email address and phone contact info. website address if applicable.

** sessions also available in

- Orono: Mon 2/22 from 11-3 theresa.paladino@umit.maine.edu or 866-6500

- Brunswick: Wed 2/24 from 9-2! jayme@segfmaine.com or 975-1423

Tuesday February 23

Go Create the Next Big Company workshop

Interactive opportunity with 4-6 top entrepreneurs under 30. Each Entrepreneur has 15 minutes interaction via text messaging with audience. 4 MCED client entrepreneurs will be featured!

     - Becky Stockbridge McKinnell from iBecCreative

     - William Sulinski from AccelGolf 

     - Jason Cianchette from Liquid Wireless

     - Jeremy Litchfield from Atayne

Location: Hannaford Lecture Hall 

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

FMI: http://www.createmaine.com/

Wednesday - Friday February 24-26

Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute Program - 3 day program for CEO's or Business Unit Leaders and their direct reports.

Innovation Engineering teaches business leaders a systematic approach to leading profitable growth through innovation. Learn how to Create, Communicate and Commercialize meaningfully unique ideas and products. Learn an innovation leadership “tool kit” through interactive case studies. PLUS, you reinforce learning by directly applying it to your business, government or non-profit organization.

TIME: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM for Days 1 & 2; 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Day 3 During the day you will learn the system and in the evening you will apply it to your business.

LOCATION: Sunday River                                

Sponsors: University of Maine Foster Center for Student Innovation & Eureka! Ranch In partnership with the Maine Development Foundation, Maine State Chamber of Commerce and NIST/MEP
Cost: $295/ person incl. all course materials, breakfasts and lunches. (Lodging is separate, but blocks of rooms are on hold at each location.)
Contact: REGISTER ONLINE or by mail or fax via the registration form. FMI: http://www2.umaine.edu/innovation/leadership.html or 581-1454

Thursday February 25, 2010

2nd Annual Maine Million Dollar Women's Forum  -

This year's panelists include:

     - Susan Bouchard - Pioneer Telephone  

     - Mary Ellen Fitzgerald  - Critical Insights

     - Kelly Flagg - Flaggship Landscaping

     - Mary Allen Lindeman - Coffee by Design

     - Beth Sturtevant - CCB, Inc.

Location: Abromson Center at USM, Bedford Street Portland

Time: 8:30- 11:30
Cost: $20 in advance    $25 at the door

Registration: Visit website for more information & registration

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***   SAVE THE DATES!!!!!!

February 20, 2010-February 27, 2010

National Entrepreneurship Week 2010 in Maine

Maine’s EWeek Coalition sponsors panel discussions, workshops and networking events that promote, educate, inspire and raise the visibility of Maine’s Entrepreneurs.

For more information www.eweekmaine.com or <click here>
For events & activities across the country: www.NationalEweek.com

Sponsor: Maine’s EWeek Coalition, MCED, Maine SBDC, Others

Time:. daily - Feb 20-27, 2010

Place: statewide

Contact: Click Here for more information on eWeek Maine

Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute Program - 3 day program for CEO's or Business Unit Leaders and their direct reports.

Innovation Engineering teaches business leaders a systematic approach to leading profitable growth through innovation. Learn how to Create, Communicate and Commercialize meaningfully unique ideas and products. Learn an innovation leadership “tool kit” through interactive case studies. PLUS, you reinforce learning by directly applying it to your business, government or non-profit organization.

TIME: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM for Days 1 & 2; 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Day 3 During the day you will learn the system and in the evening you will apply it to your business.

DATES/LOCATION: Feb 24-26 - Sunday River

                                   Mar 24-26 - Portland SOLD OUT
Sponsors: University of Maine Foster Center for Student Innovation & Eureka! Ranch In partnership with the Maine Development Foundation, Maine State Chamber of Commerce and NIST/MEP
Cost: $295 per person incl all course materials, breakfasts and lunches. (Lodging is separate, but blocks of rooms are on hold @ location.)
Contact: REGISTER ONLINE or by mail or fax via the registration form. FMI: http://www2.umaine.edu/innovation/leadership.html or 581-1454

Wednesday March 24, 2010

Maine Investment Exchange Upcoming Forum

Business Plan Due Date:  Friday, February 19th

More information to follow. Contact Maine & Company for applications to present.

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Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Grant Programs Upcoming application deadlines

FMI: forms & online registration, visit www.mainetechnology.org. Complete applications must be in the MTI office by 5 p.m. on day of the deadline, 405 Water Street, Suite 300, Gardiner, ME  04345.

* Seed Grants (6/year)  

Next deadlines for seed grants is Feb 11, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. Proposals received after 5:00 p.m. will not be accepted. 
Up to $12,500 per project available.

* Development Awards (3/yr)

Next deadline for development awards is February 9, 2010 by 5pm.
Up to $500,000 per project available - (must be matched).

MTI Cluster Initiative Program (CIP)

4th round of the Cluster Initiative Program (CIP) deadline is projected to be March 2010.  See website. Request for Applications here.

• Up to $500,000 per project available - (2/yr)
  Next deadline for full project grants Thurs, October 8, 2009

• Up to $50,000 for planning or feasibility studies -
  may be applied for on a rolling basis.

• Participation in a workshop or a personal interview is required for submission of an application for both award levels.

• All cluster initiative awards require an award recipient to contribute matching funds to the project on a 1:1 basis

The awards are made to support Maine’s technology sectors and businesses by improving the effectiveness of their infrastructure, resources, networks and focuses on collaborative efforts.

Look for updated information on the MTI website.

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At USM, there's an easy way to start moving forward before making the full commitment to apply to grad school.  Most graduate programs allow non-matriculated students (students with undergraduate degrees who have not been accepted into a program) to take graduate courses before completing an application. If a student is subsequently admitted to a program, the relevant courses will count toward the degree.

USM has a new Expanding Horizons Scholarship Program for non-matriculated students taking a graduate course for the first time this fall.  Up to twenty $500 scholarships are available to help students step back into the classroom and try something new.

For more information about the scholarship and graduate courses at USM contact:

Amy Gieseke, agieseke@usm.maine.edu or 780-5921 or check online at  www.usm.maine.edu/grad/Fall09

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Just one Click to Help MCED!

Could MCED get your quick help? Change.org recently launched the 2010 Ideas for Change in America competition. Our idea is titled: Business Incubation helps foster Innovation. MCED hopes you might be interested in getting involved, and check it out. You can read more and vote for the idea by Clicking Here (search on incubation or browse by cause "jobs and the economy")

The top 10 voted ideas will be presented at an event in Washington, DC to relevant members of the Obama Administration, and then promoted to Change.org's full community of more than 1 million people. So MCED  could have a real impact.

Make A Difference!

WRITE US IN to help us serve Maine’s entrepreneurs and start-ups with the help of Bangor Savings Bank. By writing MCED in the Other box under Greater Portland / Lewiston/ Auburn section you can make a real difference for our business incubator and in-turn Maine’s economic development process!

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation once again kick offs its unique, grant-making initiative, Community Matters More  and seeks help to allocate a total of $100,000 to 68 community non-profits throughout Maine. In addition to financial support, the organizations listed on the Community Matters More ballot will receive exposure for their work to enhance the quality of life in Maine thanks to major support by partners WGAN 560 Newsradio, Blueberry Broadcasting, WLBZ-TV 2 and WCSH-TV 6.

MCED invites you, your friends, colleagues and neighbors to participate by visiting www.communitymattersmore.com or a Bangor Savings Bank branch nearest you. Voting ends March 2, 2010.

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Feb 8 Mainebiz features   Top Gun Entrepreneur William Ashland of Disaster Game! 

link to 2/8 Mainebiz article

MCED graduate client Becky Stockbridge McKinnell of iBecCreative was featured in the "Newsworthy" column as an "Upstart entrepreneur" in the Jan 11, 2010 MaineBiz issue for her recognition by BusinessWeek

< click here for link to the article >

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2009 workshop series: THANKS TO OUR PRESENTERS!

Jan:  "Wanted: More Competitive Development Award Applications" - presented by Jessie Gogan, MTI Development Award Specialist  Click Here for printable flyer

Feb: National Entrepreneurship Events- 40+ statewide events

March: How to Engage Your Business in the Social Media -  presented by Lynnelle Wilson, Marketing 2.0 Business Growth Specialist and founder & President of Bold Vision Consulting, and Rebecca Stockbridge founder & President of iBecCreative

Click here for PDF of presentation

Click here Intro to Social Media for Business (slides by Lynelle Wilson)

Click here for workshop listing of social media links

April: An Entrepreneur’s Approach to Licensing:  A Means to an End - Presented by Dr Peter Millet, serial entrepreneur

     click here for PowerPoint

May: From Basements to Bootstraps & Beyond: Strategies to Grow Your Business - Presenter Chris Speh, Chair of Maine Angels

     click here for PowerPoint

June: Using LinkedIn to Enhance Your Business Presence Presented by Kirk Hill, Founder LinkedIn Maine Entrepreneurs' Discussion Group and of Quai, Inc.

    click here for link to Powerpoint presentation (Slide Share on LinkedIn!)

July: To Tweet or Not to Tweet (Using Twitter for Business)

Presented by John Moore, Quai, Inc

     click here for PowerPoint

July: "Facebook for Business "
Presented by: Lynnelle Wilson of Bold Vision Consulting
<click here for printable flyer>

August: " Broadcast Your Business - Adding YouTube to Your Marketing Strategy " Presented by- Amanda O'Brien, Inbound Marketing Manager at Hall Web Services.

<click here for PowerPoint & video of session on shareslide>

<click here for PowerPoint slides on Hall website>

October: " Branding and Your Logo"

Presented by: Taja Dockendorf of T-Doc Creative

<click here for PowerPoint >

November: "Create a Dream Team Starting with You"

Presented by: Nancy Brook of Authentic Work

[link to printable flyer]
 

December: "Sales & Marketing for Tech Start-ups ... The Very Top Secret Techniques"

Presented by: Kerem Durdag

<click here for powerpoint presentation (slide share)>

<click here for printable flyer>

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The SunriseGuide was prominently featured on the front page of the Sunday Dec 20, 2009 Maine Sunday Telegram. The Living Green, Saving Green article by John Richardson discusses the benefits of the 4th annual  "coupon book for consumers who want to save the world on a budget" and for those that want to learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle from the 6 educational chapters. 

click here for link to PPH article

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William Sulinski of AccelGolf was one of 3 panelists featured on the WCSH Channel 6 Mainebiz Sunday on Dec 20, 2009. Watch it online now, plus further content only seen on the web!

Carol Coultas, Mainebiz editor, introduced 3 of the 10 emerging leaders and innovators that made up the 2009 Mainebiz Next list:
Megan Williams, executive director of Hardy Girls Healthy Women; Suzanne Fox, president of Fox Intercultural Consulting Services; and William Sulinski, CEO of AccelGolf.
They spoke with Alan Hinsey about how they turned their passions into successful business models - and the importance of networking and mentors for startup businesses and organizations.

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TOP GUN showcase celebration pitch day makes front page news!

The Top Gun grand finale of MCED's intensive 3 month applied entrepreneurship program was a success and made the front page of the Portland Press Herald on Nov 20, 2009.  <link to Top Gun article>

Pitch Day was the culmination of an intense 3 month program that linked the State’s most promising innovative entrepreneurs with our most seasoned business professionals who helped guide them in validating their business model. Each week offered a 2 hour evening presentation led by respected professionals and successful entrepreneurs. This was in addition to time during the week working side-by-side with their mentor

Link here for entire Top Gun news article

Link Here for Top Gun Website

Link Here for Pitch Day photos on our Facebook Page

Top Gun again recognizes the Top Gun program sponsors for their financial support: Our primary sponsors include Maine Technology Institute, MacDonald Page, Bernstein Shur, Pro Search, Wright Express; our principal sponsors also gave generous funding or in-kind services: Berry Talbot Royer, Hall Web Services, and T-Doc Creative. We appreciate our partner sponsors: Furman Gregory Deptula, Woodard & Curran, University of Maine, and the Maine Investment Exchange and our Contributors: Blue Wave Strategies, Bangor Savings Bank and Eaton Peabody. Thank you to all!

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MCED elects 5 additional Board Members

On Nov 20, 2009, MCED Board chair Ed McKersie announced that the Board of Directors had unanimously approved the addition of 5 new Directors, filling out the full compliment of Board members per the Bylaws of the non-profit business incubator.

New Directors are:

Kerem Durdag - Partner, Blue Wave Investments
Corson "Corky" Ellis - Founder, Kepware Technologies

David Hiatt - Chief Financial Officer

Catherine Renault - Director Office of Innovation

Janet Yancey-Wrona - COO, AIKO Biotechnology

<see news release>

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Top Gun Advisor John Burns Wins FAME's Dirigo Award

John Burns, Fund Manager for the Small Enterprise Growth Fund received this year's Dirigo Award from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).  Each year FAME recognizes select Maine business people and educators in a number of categories. The Dirigo Award for Business goes to "an individual within the commercial lending or economic development community who exemplifies a history of successfully leveraging resources by providing assistance to businesses in the State of Maine."

John has served as Fund Manager of the Small Enterprise Growth Fund since 2000. John's responsibilities include the full range of venture industry activities: marketing, deal generation, investment analysis, due diligence, company monitoring and support, as well as the development of exit strategies. He is also responsible for maintaining a strong relationship with the Small Enterprise Growth Board, the Governor's office, and the Legislature. John has played a significant role in bringing capital to 30 Maine companies to date, and has steered the SEGF through a number of returns of capital to the Fund.

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2 MCED companies win MTI Seed Grants in November 09

 Organic Alchemy Composting Process Design & Test                    

MCED Campus Venture company : Organic Alchemy Composting

delivers a solid waste management solution for commercial organic waste from southern Maine hospitality and institutional establishments. The Seed Grant will support the development of a process that transforms organic wastes to high-quality compost.

Award: $6,620 Match: $7,651

Sector: Environmental Technology

Use of PDM Software in Energy Management Systems

MCED graduate company : iSagacity – Portland

This project will complete proof of concept testing for the application of iSagacity’s Process Data Mining software in the application of managing energy in commercial building. PDM is an advanced data analysis platform for knowledge management and equipment monitoring and can be used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

Sector: Environmental Technology

Award: $12,500 Match: $14,695

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Congratulations to our Professionals-in-Residence group which was one of the three businesses that won one of the MaineBusiness.com marketing New Business Stimulus Packages. Winners were announced Nov 9, and each will receive goods and services worth more than $6,000 from Maine companies:

• Work It Up
• Andrew J. Brewer Construction
• LifeStages

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Top Gun Company Atayne -featured in

The WashingtonPost.com:

• Green Your Exercise 11/5 <link to article on Atayne >
• Bettering your body and the world 11/5: <link to article on Atayne>

Fox Small Business Center: "Turning one Athlete's Trash into a Successful Business" 11/3 <link to article on Atayne>

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MCED Professionals-in-Residence - Work it UP - featured in MaineBiz's daily PortlandBiz

Program pairs unemployed with companies in need
After practicing his job pitch again and again at meetings of unemployed professionals, David Craig decided there must be another way for the jobless to network, to meet executives, to find a job. So, Craig devised an alternative networking plan, which has morphed into a new nonprofit called Work it UP.
Read more >>  

<Nov 3 Portland Biz online>

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 Coastal Enterprises Inc. has received $125 million in federal money for its New Markets Tax Credit Program to fund economic development in rural communities <link to CEI New Market Tax Credit Program>

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William Sulinski and the AccelGolf  team was selected by Mainebiz  as 2009 Mainebiz Next List - a group nominated by the business community for shaping the future of Maine's economy. They were one of 10 to be honored at the Reception at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on Nov. 5.

<article on MaineBiz 2009 Next List>

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Top Gun Entrepreneur wins Development Award

Advance Electronic Concepts, located in Portland, won an Oct 2009  MTI Development Award in the Precision Manufacturing Technology category. The provide world class industrial refrigeration control products to leading case manufacturers and supermarket chains. They are focusing on the design, fabrication, testing and commercialization of an energy-efficient, solid-state lighting system for supermarket refrigeration cases.

Award: $ 124,850 Match: $ 130,850

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Silver Performance Gear, iBecCreative, & USM Biz Plan highlighted in The Portland Daily Sun -
front page of the Oct 21, 2009 edition!

<click here for article>

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iBec highlighted in Justin Ellis Nxt blog "Portland Young Gun among America's Best" for Business Week nomination of "25 under 25" 

click here for link to blog

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MCED graduate Becky Stockbridge - iBecCreative - selected as one of BusinessWeek's "Best Young Entrepreneur"

finalist in the 25 U.S. Entrepreneurs Ages 25 and Under!

This summer, BusinessWeek set out on its fifth annual search to find the country's most promising young entrepreneurs. As in previous years, Newsweek asked readers to nominate candidates ages 25 and under running their own companies. Newsweek will announce the top vote-getters on Nov. 9.

click here for link to online article

winner were announced Nov 9: link to announcement

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Amy Ireland of Zumsport has been awarded the Victoria Hilliard Donovan Award.

Entrepreneur Amy Ireland of MCED Affiliate company Zumsport is the 3rd annual recipient of the Victoria Hilliard Donovan Award.

A Fund was created by Michael Donovan and Deborah Curtis in memory of their daughter, who died in 1988. Proceeds from the Victoria Hilliard Donovan Fund, which is managed by the Maine Community Foundation, have been directed for use by the MCED for the Women in Technological Entrepreneurship Award. The family was “proud to honor the memory of Victoria via the entrepreneurial success of women who are creating technology based companies that benefit the state of Maine.” Mr. Donovan helped found the MCED in the mid-1990s in his role as director of the Greater Portland Economic Development Council.

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Where Capital & Business Match in Minutes 

ENTREPRENEURS-EXECUTIVES-GROWING COMPANIES
 
 

The second-year Speed Venture Summit was set up as a speed-dating style event for fast-growth business and investors in New England - Oct 28 in Nashua, NH

Six of MCED's Top Gun Entrepreneurs applied and were selected to be one of the 50 companies to present to investors at the Speed Venture Summit on Wed Oct 28 in Nashua, NH (see below). These founders are Catherine Bickford of Artascope, Jason Cianchette of Liquid Wireless, William Crain of Pondera, Jeremy Litchfield of  Atayne, Susan MacKay of Zeomatrix and Bruno Marino of PEM (Plantetary Emissions Management).

Awards were given to top 2 vote getters at the networking reception:
Renewable energy startup Highest Wind LLC, of Newmarket, N.H., took home the top prize Wednesday, winning by a whistle on an audience “applause-o-meter.”

Co-hosted by the New Hampshire High Technology Council and the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, the summit attracted 47 entrepreneurs and their startups who gave private pitches to potential investors, culminating in the public, five-finalist “pitch-off”. The five finalists included Highest Wind, EnerTrac Inc., Telling Stone Software, Boston Heart Lab Corp. and ColdStor Data Inc. More than 350 attendees made enough noise to award top honors to Highest Wind and runner-up honors to EnerTrac. (Highest Wind makes small-scale, on-site, wind-powered electricity generation technology to help power rural organizations with too little wind for wind turbines. EnerTrac makes remote-monitoring service, based on software as a service, to lower delivery costs for heating oil/propane companies.)

MCED Top Gun and onsite client Liquid Wireless was also nominated as a finalist, but had had to leave prior to the final "pitch-off."

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Top Gun Company Atayne -featured in "New Ventures" section of the Oct 5, 2009 MaineBiz
"Green Gear - A conversation with Jeremy Litchfield, chief pace-setter and founder of Atayne in Portland" 

<click here for link to online article >

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AccelGolf media notice after Techstars pitch night

Boston and San Francisco TechStars’ Investor Days led to a wide range of coverage: CNET, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, MassHighTech, The Boston Globe, and Xconomy. (click on underlined links to view full articles)

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Channel 8 stopped by the Opening Night Reception and Showcase at the Woodland Clubs for the Top Gun Entrepreneurs and shot some footage for the 11 pm news. <Click here for the link!>

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One of our own Top Gun Entrepreneurs is off to a great start: Bruno Marino & PEM !

Planetary Emissions Management  was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of 19 projects to enhance the capability to simulate, track, and evaluate the potential risks of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage in geologic formations.

Coal is the Nation's most abundant energy resource, supplying nearly 50
percent of domestic electricity. In order for low-cost electricity from
coal-fired power plants to remain available, economical methods for
capturing and storing the greenhouse gas emissions from these plants must be developed. It is widely believed that CO2 storage in deep geologic formations will be one of the most economical ways to achieve this goal.

* Planetary Emissions Management Inc. (PEM), is commercializing a carbon-14 field-ready analyzer with a sensitivity of approximately 1 part per million of fossil fuel-produced CO2 in ambient air. The analyzer will be deployed at sites where CO2 leaks from natural geologic
reservoirs and at a pilot CO2 injection site for testing and validation.
Ideally, this will be followed by long-term deployment at large-scale
operating CO2 storage projects. (DOE share: $2,003,703; recipient share: $429,300; duration: 48 months).

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MCED’s new Top Gun Program –

MCED launched the start of the new Top Gun program with a reception and dinner at the Woodlands in Falmouth on Thursday, August 27th. Tom Chappell (formerly of Tom’s of Maine) was the keynote speaker. With his new business venture, Ramblers’ Way Farm, Mr. Chappell, well knows the perils and pitfalls of a start-up. He inspired all in attendance to both “act” and “think” locally. The reception gave Top Gun entrepreneurs, mentors, and advisors a chance to meet and get to know each other.  The evening ended with each of the 12 Top Gun entrepreneurs introducing their particular company. WMTW TV channel 8 was there for coverage on their 11:00 pm newscast that evening. <click here for link to clip>

The first learning session for Top Gun was sponsored and hosted by Verrill Dana. The Entrepreneurs had an opportunity to present their elevator pitch and got excellent feedback from the Advisory Board and mentors present. The panel of industry leaders, Ann Leamon, Chris Speh, Greg Fryer and guest entrepreneur, Karem Durdag, gave a compelling presentation on the topic of communicating and selling. They talked about what investors look for in a business plan, executive summary, elevator pitch and fundraising presentations. Verrill Dana and the panel of presenters certainly set the bar for the 11 weeks to follow!

Top Gun was also written up in the Portland Press Herald  outlining the program’s intent with added quotes from the entrepreneurs on what they are hoping to gain. For entire article Click Here

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The Top Gun Entrepreneurs Class of 2009:

Norm Archer & Scott Nash Nashbox

William Ashland                    Disaster Game

Catherine Bickford              Artascope Playworks, LLC

Jason Cianchette                 Liquid Wireless

William Crain                         Pondera Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Cynthia Gagnon                   Advance Electronic Concepts

Mark Henry                           Mark Henry Enterprises, Inc.

William Keleher                    Micro Technologies, Inc.

Jeremy Litchfield                 Atayne LLC

Susan MacKay                      Zeomatrix

Bruno Marino                       Planetary Emissions Mgment

Scott Patch                          Refill Management Systems

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Top Gun Sponsors Recognized

Top Gun would like to recognize the following sponsors for their financial support :Firstly, our primary sponsors for without whom the Top Gun program or opening reception would not have been possible. They are; Maine Technology Institute (gave us the funds to seed the innovative program); MacDonald Page, Bernstein Shur, Pro Search and Wright Express. Also, we would like to thank our principal sponsors for their generous funding and in-kind services; Berry Talbot Royer, Hall Web Services, and T-Doc Creative. Rounding out our program and funding needs were our partners; Furman Gregory Deptula, Woodard & Curran, University of Maine, and Maine & Company; and our contributors; Eaton Peabody, Bangor Savings Bank, and Blue Wave Strategies who helped to underwrite the cost of the program for our entrepreneurs.

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MCED launches Professionals-in-Residence (PiR)  

The Maine Center for Enterprise Development (MCED) has formed a cooperative partnership with Work it UP, a group of professionals who will be offering pro-bono counsel in marketing, finance, project management and other business related functions to MCED clients. The relationship offers Work it UP members a greater opportunity to engage with a broader range of client prospects, and they in turn offer a tremendous benefit to MCED clients. Work it UP founders will reside onsite and provide assistance to MCED incubator client businesses. MCED clients will have access to Work it UP project teams for specific project needs by using the capabilities of the Work it UP program members. Work it UP maintains a skills assessment database of their participants and will coordinate project management, project leadership, skills development and teambuilding training. For more information about Work it UP, see their website at www.workitup.org. The staff of Work it UP can be reached at information@workitup.org . <link to testimonial>

They are also soliciting proposals for short-term projects from non-MCED Maine businesses, municipalities and non-profit organizations. The goal is to apply the skills, talents, knowledge and experience of the unemployed professional workforce to the project needs of Maine enterprises, so that client organizations become stronger, more competitive and ultimately create job opportunities – thereby keeping Maine talent employed in Maine.

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MCED Affiliate Company Zumsport awarded July Seed Grant for Proof of concept pilot project

zumsport LLC – located in Yarmouthis preparing to launch its first product, zumbitz. This new performance food combines science and innovation. The project will enable the company to produce and distribute zumbitz while gathering market‐data. Findings will be applied to development and commercialization, which will create opportunities in

precision manufacturing and agricultural.

Sector: Advanced Technology for Forestry and Agriculture

Award: $12,370 Match: $21,300

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MCED graduate company ORPC Maine LLC,  wins Maine Technology Asset Grant

June 2009- ORPC Maine LLC selected by MTI for the 2nd rd of awards for the  Maine Technology Asset Fund. The were awarded $806,138 for their OCGen Turbine Generator Unit Commercialization Project to be matched by $897,702

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Maine Million Dollar Women introduce
"Solopreneur Sessions" For Women Entrepreneurs 

Ever wish you had someone to brainstorm with about business who truly understood your female entrepreneurial mindset? "Over the past few months we've noticed that many of the women attending the roundtable events were solopreneurs in search of information and feedback. Running a 'one woman' business has it's unique challenges and who better to understand them - other women solopreneurs! "

Small groups of 8 to 10 peers (non-competing industries) meet to share ideas and information, and gain the knowledge they need to grow their businesses. Each session includes business tools for planning, business development, and promoting the small business, will be Facilitator lead in a confidential setting. - Space is limited -

When: Sessions begin August 18 

Where: USM Abromson Center

Cost: $85 per month 

Register: Email to request information and register by August 14 

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entreverge Inaugural Award's Party
 

June 25, 2009 was the first annual "entreverge" awards! 5 local Entrepreneurs were awarded new electric guitars in recognition of their innovation and contribution to the Maine business community: Congratulations to:

Atayne Clothing (performance apparel made from trash)

emilie inc. photography (photojournalism wedding photographer)

Pemaquid Communications (usability/accessibility in web design)

Topline Marketing (natural, free range, organic brokerage firm)

Turtle Love Committee (sterling/semi precious stone wedding rings

Place: Port City Music Hall (Portland)

Hosted by: Propel and the Portland Regional Chamber

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Organic Alchemy Composting wins 2009 USM Annual Business Plan Competition

The five finalist teams in the 8th annual USM Student Business Plan Competition (from the initial 30+ registered teams) pitched their business plan to the 3 judges on 4/4, and gave a brief presentation at the 4/8 USM Corporate Partners Breakfast.

The five finalist teams in the USM Business Plan Competition were:

• The Card (team of John McEvoy, Ryan Mahan, Matthew McEvoy )

• Kor Floral (team of Alexandra Kadar, Katarina de Khan)

• Maine Play (team of Ashlea Loring, Lauren Faulkner)

• Organic Alchemy Composting (team of Brett Richardson, Greg Williams)

• Tooth Protectors (team of Christopher M. Gagne, Sabrina M. Toye, Kelly A. Blue)

And the winner was..... Organic Alchemy Composting! The competition is designed to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and recognize small business ideas in Maine. The competition allows student teams to create and develop an original business idea into a solid business plan in the hopes of winning $10,000 in cash and $15,000 in consulting services to start their business venture. 

Thanks to our Business Community sponsors, a 1 year residency in the MCED incubator assistance program has been offered to Organic Alchemy Composting as the winner. The other 4 finalists are also eligible to apply for 1 year residency scholarships to launch their venture. Founding sponsorship support  for Campus Ventures Program was provided by Clark Associates, Pierce Atwood, Mr. Widgery Thomas and the Maine Office of Innovation. Key Bank has renewed their sponsorship already for 2009.

If your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of the Campus Ventures Program, please contact Steven Bazinet at 228-8525 or Sbazinet@mced.biz.
 

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mCaddie Inc. has been awarded a $235K Development Award from MTI

Maine Technology Institute announced the award to advance mCaddie's web-based golf technology internet platform and bring their product to the marketplace. The award is contingent upon mCaddie raising $325,768 in private funding and in kind equivalent as matching funds. Joe Migliaccio, MTI’s manager of business innovation programs, noted that the investment will provide critical support that the early-stage Maine company needs to achieve the development milestones required to successfully commercialize. William Sulinski, mCaddie’s founder, feels that the Development Award will allow his company to leverage a larger round of financing if MTI’s extended due diligence is viewed positively as they seek investors. The company is currently based at the Maine Center for Enterprise Development. The MTI press release boasts that companies funded by MTI have leveraged nearly $200 million from public and private sources and are creating jobs faster with higher wages than the average Maine company. < more >

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The Manufacturers’ Association of Maine will receive $499,605 from MTI and external matching funds totaling $621,665 to create a Maine Aerospace Alliance within the Association. The award will be used to seek out and secure contracts with prime contractors and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) as well as assist companies in securing certifications and training that will strengthen Maine’s competitive position in the aerospace industry. This award follows an earlier, smaller-scale project that determined that there was significant interest from OEMs and aerospace firms to support a larger investment in this field, and the effort has potential to build on infrastructure becoming available with the closing of the Brunswick Naval Air Station.

For more information see: www.mainetechnology.org .

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   (Students in Free Enterprise)

The USM SIFE organization also resides in the MCED incubator. SIFE is a nonprofit national organization founded in 1975 that cultivates the partnership of business and higher education, to foster student communication and leadership skill development through the teaching of free enterprise principles.

OFFICERS for the 2009-2010 academic year:

John Voyer- Sam Walton Fellow

Tim Pulsoni- Co- President

Nevin Duffey- Co- President

Tyler Wells- Treasurer

Joanne Hemmond- Secretary

Jason DeCampos- Media Liaison

Jamie Adams- Recruitment Officer

USM SIFE Projects:

Long Creek Project: This is the fifth year of partnering with the Long Creek Youth Detention Center. SIFE members present a series of ten workshops at the facility to deliver information that will act as a foundation of knowledge that the residents can use in their transition out of the facility and into the work force.

JA Teaching:  This project is made possible through a partnership with Junior Achievement of Maine. Two groups of SIFE members go into local elementary and middle schools to present lesson plans established by JA of Maine to educate youth on subjects such as free market economics.

Titan Project: This project is coordinated by Junior Achievement of Maine. It is a competition among high school students from around the state who compete over the internet to establish a successful product and learn about the financial and marketing aspects behind it. The winning team is announced during the February 2009 National Entrepreneurship Week.

College 101:  College 101 is a project that connects USM SIFE with local high schools juniors and seniors. SIFE members go into high schools to inform prospective college students about the basic financial aspects of college, applying to college, and college life.

High School Business Plan Competition: In this project, SIFE members go into local high schools to educate students on how to create a business plan with the aim of encouraging aspiring entrepreneurship at the high school level.

<Click here for archive of significant news events>

Fill out the following information and press the "Submit" button to join our mailing list.

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MCED is pleased to announce 2 new clients

Welcome to on-site client GamesThat Give. GamesThat Give lets you play the free, casual games you love and enjoy while generating donations for your favorite charity at the same time.

We would also like to give a warm welcome to new affiliate client Peter Snell and Associates. Peter Snell & Associates have designed a functional software program that can process any text in English and translate into the underlying mindset of the speaker/writer as of the time of expression.

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Just one Click to Help MCED!

Dear MCED Supporter,
 

I wanted to see if I could get your quick help. Change.org recently launched the 2010 Ideas for Change in America competition.
Our idea is titled: Business Incubation helps foster Innovation. I thought you might be interested in getting involved and recommend you check it out. You can read more and vote for the idea by Clicking Here
The top 10 voted ideas will be presented at an event in Washington, DC to relevant members of the Obama Administration, and then promoted to Change.org's full community of more than 1 million people. So we could have a real impact.

Thanks for the help! 

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Make a difference!

Write us IN to help us serve Maine’s entrepreneurs and start-ups with the help of Bangor Savings Bank.
 

By writing MCED in the Other box under Greater Portland / Lewiston/ Auburn section you can make a real difference for our business incubator and in-turn Maine’s economic development process!
 

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation is thrilled to once again kick off its unique, grant-making initiative, Community Matters More. As a previous participant in Community Matters More, we want to be sure to give you the opportunity to help us allocate a total of $100,000 to 68 community non-profits throughout Maine.
 

In addition to our financial support, the organizations listed on the Community Matters More ballot will receive substantial exposure for the work these organizations do to enhance the quality of life in Maine thanks to major support by our partners WGAN 560 Newsradio, Blueberry Broadcasting, WLBZ-TV 2 and WCSH-TV 6.
 

We invite you, your friends, colleagues and neighbors to participate by visiting www.communitymattersmore.com or a Bangor Savings Bank branch nearest you. Voting begins January 18, 2010 and ends March 2, 2010.

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MCED Workshop - Thurs Feb 11

link to workshop details

pre-pay using paypal

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MCED CLIENT HAPPENINGS:

Top Gun graduate and on-site client Bruno Marino and PEM Carbon are really making things happen for 2010.
 

Planetary Emissions Management Inc. (PEM), announces plans to track carbon flux in Maine’s forests. Measuring levels of carbon in defined areas of forest could result in opportunities for Maine forest landowners to participate in carbon trading based on the amount of carbon taken up by the forest. 

PEM has also organized a working group to explore carbon trading and forest stewardship with interns from USM. The working group is open to interested parties. Maine’s 19 million acres of forests could prove to be a significant economic asset in terms of carbon sequestration.

They currently have three job openings: Field Laser Instrument Technician; Database Systems Manager; and Carbon Cycle Models: 13C, 14C Data/Model Fusion and Applications Related to Carbon Pricing and Trading. Please click here for job descriptions and application information.
_______________________________________________________
 
Top Gun graduate and on-site client  Atayne has opened an online outlet store  and have also added some great new pages to their website- check out the Science made Simple page for some interesting and fun facts!
_______________________________________________________

Top Gun graduate company Refill Management Systems is growing strong. Following Top Gun, they have decided to focus their  immediate energy on completing the prototype and getting it into customer's hands as soon as they can. They  will have a "functional" user interface up and running in a couple of weeks for testing and to provide customer demonstrations. The full beta product is looking like mid-March.

From a fundraising standpoint, RMS was successful in receiving a Seed Grant this round and is exploring with MTI's consultant a SBIR grant application.

 Lastly, RMS's President, Dr. Patch, was recently interviewed for a feature on electronic health records to be published in Scientific American Magazine later this spring.
 ________________________________________________________

Becky Stockbridge McKinnell  of graduate company iBec Creative   has had national recognition when considered to be a top entrepreneur under age 25 in BusinessWeek’s annual competition.This month she  has received more local fame in a great article by MaineBiz. A Massachusetts native, McKinnell says Maine is a great place for business. “Maine offered me a lot of helpful assistance getting my business started. I definitely want to stay in Portland. I want to grow my team to about 10 people, and [grow] the business to $2 million to $5 million in the next four years.” For more on Becky and iBec Creative's MaineBiz article Click Here
________________________________________________________

On January 29th, Ocean Renewable Power Company unveiled the first, all-composite, hydrokinetic turbine to be built in the U.S. Joined by business partners, R&D collaborators, and government representatives for the ceremony, CEO Chris Sauer presented the proprietary, commercial-scale turbine to members of the press.

In addition to Sauer, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree; Betsy Biemann of the Maine Technology Institute; Steve Van Vogt of the Maine Composites Alliance; and UMaine professor Mick Peterson spoke at the event. The company expects to launch its tidal energy project in Eastport later this month.
 

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Upcoming Events:

Thursday, February 11, 2010

“Effective PR - Dealing With News Media in the Age of Twitter”
Presenter : Skip King
Date: Thurs, February 11, 2010
Time: 12:00 – 12:20 registration 12:30-2:30 Workshop
Location: Room 214 Abromson Center - USM
Cost:
• $10.00 (payable the day of the seminar)
• FREE for USM students with an ID card
RSVP to workshops@mced.biz
More Info: call MCED at 228-8524
_____________________________________________________

Tuesday February 17, 2010

Monthly Networking Meeting
Maine Entrepreneurs LinkedIn Discussion Group
** Usually the 3rd Wed of the month at the Cumberland Club, courtesy of Macdonald Page
Topic: TBA
Date: Wednesday Feb 17, 2010
Time: 6-8 pm
Place: The Cumberland Club 116 High St, Portland <directions>
Contact: RSVP to Kirk Hill on Maine Entreprenuer’s Group LinkedIn or

Click Here for more information
_____________________________________________________

February 20, 2010-February 27, 2010

National Entrepreneurship Week 2010 in Maine
Sponsor: Maine’s EWeek Coalition, MCED, Maine SBDC, Others
Time: daily
Place: statewide
Cost: FREE
Contact: Click Here FMI
_____________________________________________________

Tuesday February 23, 2010

Calling all Entrepreneurs - Portland
Sponsor: Maine Center for Enterprise Development and Maine Angels
Time: noon - 5pm
Place: Room 212 Abromson Center, USM Portland Campus
Cost: no charge
Contact: eweekmaine@mced.biz with entrepreneur name, idea or company name, 10 word description of idea, email address and phone contact info. website address if applicable.
 

** sessions also available in

- Orono: Mon 2/22 from 11-3 theresa.paladino@umit.maine.edu  866-6500

- Brunswick: Wed 2/24 from 9-2! jayme@segfmaine.com or 975-1423

_____________________________________________________

Tuesday February 23, 2010

Go Create the Next Big Company workshop
Your Host for the evening, Kerem Durdag
Interactive opportunity with 4-6 top entrepreneurs under 30. Each Entrepreneur has 15 minutes interaction via text messaging with audience. 
3 MCED client entrepreneurs will be featured!
- MCED Graduate- Becky Stockbridge McKinnell from iBecCreative
- MCED Graduate- William Sulinski from AccelGolf
- MCED Affiliate- Jeremy Litchfield from Atayne

Also:

- Ryan Beaumont, sole proprietor, RM Beaumont Corp
- Ryan Donnelly, Director of Interactive Marketing & Client
   Services , UCompareHealthCare
Location: Hannaford Lecture Hall
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
FMI: http://www.createmaine.com/ _____________________________________________________

For More Upcoming Events...

Please visit our website Click Here

MTI GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES:  (see website )

 MTI Seed Grant Award deadlines: December 10, 2009, 5:00pm

MTI Development Awards Application deadline: February 9, 2010,

MTI Cluster Initiative Program deadline: follow link for updates

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Business Resource of the Month!

Newsletter From: Berry, Talbot and Royer- Certified Public Accountants

FEATURE ARTICLES
• Cash Flow: The Life Blood of Business
• How to Get Paid On Time
• Changes in Tax Brackets and Benefits for 2010

TAX TIPS
• IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
• 2010 Rules for Roth IRAs
• Filing Requirements for Dependents
• Receive Your Refund Faster with Direct Deposit

For more great business resources visit our website's Resource page

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For More Information on our services

Click here for information on MCED clients and graduates.

Click here for information on the Top Gun Program
Click here to request more information.
Click here for a list of our sponsors.

       Fan Us!                    Join Our Group!          Follow Us!

The Maine Center for Enterprise Development provides an experiential learning environment to start-ups and early stage entrepreneurs for the creation and growth of quality companies through incubation, entrepreneurial development and education.   

For information, please contact Steven Bazinet, MCED President, at SBazinet@mced.biz or call him at 228-8524

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Please Share Our Newsletter

Do you know of anyone who would appreciate receiving either notices of our monthly “lunch & learn” workshops for entrepreneurs, or our monthly e-newsletter? Share our newsletter!

Also, if you know of business students, inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, and/or professionals with a startup or technology focus who might like to be informed and involved, please forward this newsletter.

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Business Assistance Provider

February 2010

January 2010

December 2009

November 2009

October 2009

September 2009

August 2009

July 2009
June 2009

May 2009

April 2009
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Jan/Feb 2009

December 2008

November 2008

October 2008
September 2008

MaineBiz article on new Executive Director - July 08

July/August 2008
Portland Press Herald article - new Exec. Director - June 08
May/June 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
list of 2008 L&L workshops

ist of 2007 L&L workshops
list of 2006 L&L workshops

For additional archived newsletters, please contact
Sandra Stone at SStone@mced.biz.

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