Best Small Business Resources in the Bangor Area

Description

Upstart’s Center for Entrepreneurship is a non-profit partnership that offers the Top Gun Accelerator and an incubation program for promising entrepreneurs. Top Gun is an annual program with a competitive selection process and a low fee for teams. The program entails weekly mentoring, workshops, and talks on relevant topics. The incubator is a monthly lease that provides physical office space, conference rooms, and reception services. Incubator services include ongoing trainings and access to facility staff.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

Covort is a Bangor coworking space offering conference rooms, collaborative stations, and phone booths. Unique features include 24/7 access, a lending library, and free coffee. Membership plans are varied and offer daily drop ins to private desks. Discounts are available for teams of more than one. The space offers a 3D printer available to anyone, and at at reduced rate for members.

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.

Description

Maine Stream Finance offers small business consulting and separate seminars on starting a small business. Maine Stream Finance also works with Incubator Without Walls to offer a series of 7 classes teaching the skills needed to grow a successful business. The course is intended for companies that have just launched and are navigating their initial growth period and involves local business leaders to offer one-on-one counseling.

Restrictions

Must be a small business with 5 or fewer employees to register for incubator.

Description

New Ventures Maine is a non-profit economic development organization, offering free workshops and one-on-one counseling to adults seeking financial security. This statewide organization has several locations offering classes about starting a business (as well as personal finance and career preparation). The classes are free and offered online and/or in person.

Description

Scratchpad is a small business accelerator program that focuses on women entrepreneurs. The accelerator is housed at the CoVort coworking space in Bangor. Scratchpad connects entrepreneurs who have an idea with mentors and experts that help them navigate things like finding a market niche or intellectual property.

Restrictions

Only works with companies with the potential to scale.