Startup Maine Week 2026
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-22 | The Maine Center (Fore Street Entrance), 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, United States
Startup Maine will host its annual Startup Maine Week conference on May 18-21, 2026 in locations throughout Portland. The event attracts hundreds of attendees for four days of practical talks, hands-on workshops, and unbeatable networking. Participants include innovators, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders from across the state. The Maine Center will serve as a premier location for events all week long.
Visit StartupMaine.org for more information and registration.
Take a look back at Startup Maine Week 2025

Startup Maine Week special event: Maine Startup Challenge Showcase | Maine Venture Fund
2026-05-20 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
The Maine Startup Challenge (“MSC”) is a statewide competition where students and aspiring entrepreneurs turn an idea (app, business or side hustle) into a one-page business plan and compete for cash prizes.

MSC has four entry tiers. Each tier awards a 1st Place and a Runner-up prize to the best ideas in each category.

Prizes by Tier:

K-8: $1,000 (Runner-up: $500)
High School: $1,500 (Runner-up: $500)
College: $2,500 (Runner-up: $1,000)
Open: $8,000 (Runner-up: $2,000)

Business plans are evaluated by a panel of Maine entrepreneurs and investors.

Join us to recognize the finalists at the MSC Showcase on May 20th at 4:30 PM. Learn more at maineventurefund.com/maine-startup-challenge

Maine Center Awards
2026-06-08 17:00 - 19:00
The Maine Center Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence and honoring outstanding alumni from the Maine Center’s core academic partners — Maine Graduate School of Business, University of Maine School of Law, the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, and the Muskie School of Public Service — as well as community innovators driving economic growth.
Register now to join us on June 8!

2026 Maine Center Awards Registration

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Meet the 2026 Award Winners

Distinguished Alumni Award
Ellie Baker
Former Managing Principal, Baker Newman Noyes (retired)
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine School of Law
Eleanor “Ellie” Baker is a retired Maine attorney and accounting executive who built a distinguished career at the intersection of law, finance, and professional services. A graduate of the University of Maine and the University of Maine School of Law, she later earned a postgraduate law degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law.
Baker co-founded the Portland-based accounting and consulting firm Baker Newman Noyes, helping guide its growth over two decades into one of northern New England’s leading professional services firms. She served as managing principal and was an accounting professional for nearly 40 years, holding the Personal Financial Specialist designation and advising a wide range of clients.
Known for her leadership and commitment to community engagement, Baker played a key role in shaping the firm’s culture of service and philanthropy. She retired in 2016 after overseeing a successful leadership transition, leaving behind a strong legacy in Maine’s business and professional community.

Jim Damicis
Senior Vice President, Camoin Associates
Alumni affiliation: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service

For more than 30 years, Jim has led analyses and strategies for economic, workforce, and community development across the country. This includes work for state, regional, local, and private clients. In Maine, Jim has worked with municipalities in every county, state agencies, non-profits, and private clients focused on analytics, strategies, and policy, all of which stem from his studies and applied research at USM and the MPPM program.
Before merging with Camoin Associates in 2009, Jim built PolicyOne Research (a Maine-based company) into a leading research and analysis firm serving private and public clients throughout the northeast. He also worked for the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) for three years as the Director of Research and Policy. Jim started his career as Director of Research for the Maine Municipal Association.
With Camoin Associates, Jim, along with his partner, has grown the company from eight employees to twenty-six and expanded services across the country to nearly every state.
Jim is a national leader in preparing professionals, communities, and regions for an emerging economic future through his work with Communities of the Future and as an instructor for the International Economic Development Council’s certification course on strategic planning. Additionally, Jim is a member of the Public Policy Advisory Committee for the Federal Reserve of Boston and a past president of the Northeastern Economic Development Association. He is a regular speaker at conferences on emerging trends and practices in his industry and the author of multiple professional articles.
Since graduating from the Master’s of Public Policy and Management Program at USM, Jim has been an active alumnus, including partnering with USM professors on applied work in Maine, mentoring students and young alumni, hosting interns, and hiring graduates. He is currently Chair of the MPPM Advisory Committee and a member of the Board of Visitors of the Muskie School of Public Services. In those capacities, Jim has helped expand membership, launched new programming, and increased connections with students and faculty.

Barbara Kerr Hamilton
Senior Director, Process Technology, Packaging Corporation of America
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine College of Engineering & Computing
Barbara Kerr Hamilton is a senior technology leader in the paper and packaging industry and Senior Director of Process Technology at Packaging Corporation of America, the third-largest producer of containerboard and corrugated products in the U.S. A University of Maine alumna with a background in chemical engineering, she has built a career spanning engineering, industrial automation, energy management, process control, and executive leadership.
During her tenure with PCA, Hamilton has led corporate teams supporting operational technology, quality systems, capital projects, cybersecurity, and process optimization. She recently transitioned into a Lead I&C Engineering role, overseeing instrumentation and controls for PCA’s highest-value and fastest-paced capital projects.
A tireless advocate for education, mentorship, and Maine’s engineering workforce, Hamilton has maintained deep ties to UMaine through leadership roles with the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation, including service as past chair of its Board of Directors, as well as ongoing involvement with UMaine’s Board of Visitors and College of Engineering.

Ron Roope
Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking & New Hampshire Commercial Banking Team Leader, Bangor Savings Bank
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine Graduate School of Business
Ron Roope is a respected Maine and New Hampshire banking leader whose career reflects the intersection of business, public service, and community impact. As Senior Vice President at Bangor Savings Bank, he brings deep expertise in commercial and business banking, helping regional businesses navigate complex financial needs while supporting growth and stability across Maine and New Hampshire.
Ron joined Bangor Savings Bank in 2005 and has advanced into senior leadership roles through his work building and managing commercial banking relationships. His background as a former business owner informs a practical, client-centered approach focused on long-term partnerships and solutions. In addition, Ron was a Cooperating Faculty member for the Maine Business School for five years teaching undergraduate and graduate level finance classes.His leadership extends beyond banking through service with organizations including the University of Maine Business School Advisory Board, the Katahdin Area Council Boy Scouts Board, and the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire Board. A dedicated University of Maine alumnus, Ron remains connected to the university and exemplifies the values of integrity, leadership, and service.

Emerging Leader Award
Mike Adams
Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer & Counsel, Bangor Savings Bank
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine School of Law
Mike Adams is a Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer, and Counsel at Bangor Savings Bank, where he provides strategic guidance on trust administration, fiduciary compliance, and wealth management solutions. With a background that spans law, finance, and public service, he works closely with individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations to deliver tailored fiduciary and financial strategies.
Prior to joining Bangor Savings Bank in 2024, Mike was an associate attorney at Preti Flaherty, focusing on real estate and finance. His legal experience also includes roles with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, Unum Group, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, and private practice, giving him a broad understanding of financial and regulatory systems.
A veteran of the Afghanistan War, Mike served six years as a combat engineer with the Maine Army National Guard. Recognized as a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree and a New England Rising Star by Super Lawyers, he brings integrity, discipline, and a multidisciplinary perspective to his work.

Andrew Murry
Audit Manager, Baker Newman Noyes
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine Graduate School of Business
Andrew Murry is a Manager in the assurance practice at Baker Newman Noyes, where he specializes in serving healthcare organizations and nonprofit entities. A MaineMBA alumnus and CPA, Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting, magna cum laude, from the University of Hartford, where he was also a member of the men’s soccer team.
Since joining Baker Newman Noyes as audit staff in 2017, Andrew has steadily advanced within the firm, developing strong technical expertise in assurance services, compliance audits, Uniform Guidance, MAAP audits, and client advisory work. His work reflects a deep commitment to ethical practice, client service, and the evolving role of accounting, where strategy, relationships, and sound judgment are increasingly essential.
Andrew is also dedicated to professional service, mentorship, and community-building. He is active in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants, was recognized as a 2021 Engaging Educator by the Maine Society of CPAs, and serves as Treasurer of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s Northern New England Chapter. Through his work with clients, peers, and current MaineMBA students, Andrew demonstrates the technical excellence, generosity, and professional commitment that distinguish the next generation of Maine accounting professionals.

Kyle Warren
CEO & Co-Founder, Evergreen Additive, Inc.
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine College of Engineering & Computing
Kyle Warren is an engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator in advanced manufacturing. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine before building a career at the intersection of composite materials, maritime technology, and large-format additive manufacturing.
After leadership roles with Albany Engineered Composites and Navatek LLC, Kyle returned to UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center as Chief Engineer for Design for Advanced Manufacturing. There, he led groundbreaking work to scale 3D printing technologies for maritime and defense applications, including serving as principal investigator for the world’s largest 3D-printed logistics vessel for the U.S. Department of Defense.
In 2025, Kyle co-founded Evergreen Additive in Brunswick, Maine, where he serves as CEO. The company is focused on bringing proven large-format additive manufacturing technologies from university research into commercial and defense production. Through his technical leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and commitment to innovation, Kyle is helping position Maine as a leader in advanced manufacturing.

Nikki Williams
211 Maine Program Director, United Ways of Maine
Alumni affiliation: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service
Nikki Williams is the Program Director for 211 Maine, the state’s 24/7 information and referral service connecting residents with essential health and human services. In this role, she leads strategic program development and advances innovative solutions and partnerships to address emerging community needs.
Over the past decade, Nikki has strengthened 211 Maine’s capacity in emergency preparedness and response, supporting efforts ranging from natural disasters to global public health crises. She played a central role in coordinating 211 Maine’s contributions to the State of Maine’s COVID‑19 response and continues to champion preparedness through her service on the board of Maine Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. She also collaborates with 211 systems nationwide to develop policies and infrastructure that support surge capacity during large‑scale emergencies.
Before joining 211 and the United Ways of Maine, Nikki held several roles within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. As a member of the Senior Management Team in the Office of Aging and Disability Services, she oversaw community‑based Medicaid services for individuals with developmental disabilities or on the Autism Spectrum, including case management, residential and day services, employment supports, crisis services, and waiver programs. In other roles, she contributed to statewide initiatives addressing prenatal substance use and prevention, including efforts to expand access to treatment and develop public health messaging campaigns aimed at reducing stigma around mental health needs.
Nikki holds a Master of Public Health from the Muskie School of Public Service and a bachelor’s degree from Colby College. She is a committed advocate for expanding access to health and social services across Maine. She lives in Central Maine with her husband and their three children.

Maine Center Award for Innovation
Mark Skinner
CEO and Founder, Skinner Retirement and Benefits Consulting; Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Daybright Financial
Mark M. Skinner is the founder of Skinner Retirement and Benefits Consulting and Executive Chairman of Daybright Financial, formerly U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners, which he co-founded in 2007 and led as CEO until January 2023. With decades of experience in retirement and employee benefits, he has helped shape national strategies that use technology, planning tools, and consultative services to support employers, employees, and industry leadership teams.
Earlier in his career, Mark held employee benefits roles with UNUM before joining The Copeland Companies, where he rose from regional leadership to president. He later served as President of the Retirement Services Division of CitiStreet, a Citigroup and State Street joint venture that became the second-largest retirement plan recordkeeper in the United States. Across these roles, he led large national teams serving corporations, public schools, hospitals, municipalities, and other organizations.
A University of Maine alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in business, Mark is also a graduate of the Stanford University Business School Executive Program for Smaller Companies. He has held senior leadership roles in broker-dealer, investment advisory, and mutual fund organizations, and has been recognized for pioneering integrated retirement and benefits solutions through a single-provider model.
Mark remains deeply engaged in education, service, and community impact. He has served as a corporate academy liaison for the National Academy Foundation, participated in Habitat for Humanity rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and continues to support the University of Maine Graduate School of Business as an architect and advisory board member of the Maine MBA Academy.
