Dirigo Labs

Our September Dirigo Labs Speaker Series is next Thursday, September 17. Don't miss it!

Join Nate Pelsma, Executive Director of Business Innovation and Corporate Campus at Thomas College, for an engaging session on how to identify, understand, and connect with your ideal customer.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, education, nonprofit leadership, and business development, Nate will share practical strategies for validating ideas, gaining customer insights, and building a stronger foundation for growth.

🗓 Thursday, September 17 | 5:30 PM
📍The Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space (10 Water Street, Waterville, ME)

Perfect for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders looking to better understand their market and customers.

Register here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C1DEu1yu4/

Dirigo Labs Expands Dirigo Launch Cohort to Meet Record Founder Demand. From AI and Biotechnology to Advanced Manufacturing, Fifteen Maine Founders Are Building What Comes Next!

Dirigo Labs Expands Dirigo Launch Cohort to Meet Record Founder Demand - Dirigo Labs From AI and Biotechnology to Advanced Manufacturing, Fifteen Maine Founders Are Building What Comes Next WATERVILLE, Maine – Sept. 10,…

Have a great idea but aren't sure if it's reaching the right audience?

Join us on Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 PM for From Idea to Insight: Understanding Your Ideal Customer with Nate Pelsma, Executive Director of Business Innovation and Corporate Campus at Thomas College.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations, Nate will share practical strategies for identifying your ideal customer, understanding their needs, and using those insights to strengthen your products, services, and business growth.

Whether you're launching a new venture, refining an existing business, or exploring a new idea, this session will provide actionable tools to help turn concepts into impact. We hope you'll join us!

RSVP here - https://www.facebook.com/share/1EbvMfAZ39/

Join us this Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m. for the next Dirigo Labs Speaker Series featuring Katie Shorey, Director of Engagement at Live + Work in Maine and former president of Startup Maine.

Katie will share her insights on workforce engagement, talent attraction, and Maine's growing innovation economy.

Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space (10 Water St., Suite 110, Waterville)

The event is free and refreshments will be available. We hope to see you there!

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/share/1UfaQ7byyU/

When Juliana Tebbetts joined the Dirigo Launch Incubator, she was navigating a major life transition, moving from stay-at-home mother of four to entrepreneur.

Like many founders, she had a vision, but plenty of questions about how to turn that vision into a business.

"The incubator challenged me to think bigger," Juliana said. "Every workshop, every mentor, and every conversation pushed me to ask better questions, make better decisions, and become a stronger entrepreneur."

For Juliana, the biggest takeaway wasn't just the curriculum. It was the support, mentorship, and community she found along the way.

"The program gave me confidence, not because it removed the obstacles, but because it equipped me with the tools, perspective, and network to face them."

Her advice for anyone considering applying?

"Take the leap of faith. You don't need to have a perfect business or a perfect plan. You just need the willingness to learn, grow, and keep showing up."

Applications for the Dirigo Launch Incubator close August 15. If you've been waiting for the right time to explore an idea, this could be your sign to get started! Apply here - https://www.dirigolabs.org/dirigo-launch-incubator/