Tapping Into Maine's
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Maine has an impressive and remarkably connected network of organizations dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and accelerating the growth and scale-up of new businesses. Maine's economic future hinges on its ability to develop and foster a more innovative, dynamic and entrepreneurial business culture across the state.

Come learn from Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development (MCED)'s new Executive Director, Tom Rainey, about the latest initiatives to efficiently connect mentors, subject matter experts, "efractional executives," service providers and investors with Maine's fast growth companies.

Tom will also cover how you can learn from peers, increase your visibility, grow your consulting business and support Maine's economy by getting involved with effective, results-driven initiatives to support start-ups and scale-ups in Maine.

ABOUT MCED

Initiatives supported by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development and strategic partners leverage the intellectual capital in the state, and provide  "hands-on" support through networks of highly skilled and experienced business professionals and high-impact entrepreneurship training in four locations around Maine.

The program will include an actionable handout with a summary of the MCED programs, including instructions on how to get involved in a variety of capacities.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Thomas Rainey is the Executive Director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development (MCED). Prior to MCED, Thomas was President of Rainey & Associates; a consultancy specialized in planning and implementing innovation-based development initiatives. Mr. Rainey brings 25 years of experience in working with entrepreneurs and managing successful business incubators and accelerators for start-up companies in seven states.

Mr. Rainey has been involved in a number of pioneering economic development initiatives including the development of the California World Trade Center in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and serving as Director of Small Business Development for the St. Louis County Economic Council. In 1998 Mr. Rainey was recruited by the State of Florida and Kennedy Space Center to establish a network of six NASA-funded incubators to transfer NASA technology and assist laid-off aerospace workers. From 2001-2012 Mr. Rainey developed a biotechnology strategy for New Hampshire; plans for a Health Care Institute for Wisconsin and award winning incubators at the University of Vermont, Dartmouth College, Northern Arizona University, and the BioInspire accelerator in Phoenix. Expertise includes coaching entrepreneurs, feasibility and market studies, business development, and fundraising for start-ups.

Mr. Rainey holds a Master's Degree in Science and Technology Policy (March 1988) from Lund University, Sweden; a Graduate Degree in Social Sciences, (June 1986) from the University of Stockholm, Sweden; and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science (August 1985) from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Roundtable Details

Takes place from 9:45-10:30 following the regular meeting and is optional.

What’s this ‘Design’ and ‘Design Thinking’ Stuff All About Anyway?

Design and Design Thinking are everywhere these days.  The latest buzz words? – or -- important concepts that you need to know about?!  There’s a slew of material out there on the topic of Design – much of it confusing, just to make the job of understanding it even more complex :(   This Round Table discussion will help muddle through much of the confusion. 

An understanding of how the design process works and where it can be useful can be so helpful. 

 As consultants, we have our own tools and methodologies, but adding the ability to augment

our tools with design tweaks that are based on the client needs 

is a great feature of the well-rounded consultant's toolkit.

Join us as we:      

• explore the world of Systemic and Functional Design (no, design is not about brands and logos). 
  
• define it (ok, if design is not about brands and logos - what is it then?)
  
• detail some how-to’s (once you know what it is, how do you apply the knowledge and use it to good advantage?
  
• share perspectives (bring your feedback and experiences to the conversation)
  
• hear some design real-life examples (intentional design helped in developing programs and processes in organizations)
  

About Our Facilitator

Terry Johnson, Practical Decisions, Founder and Principal 

Practical Decisions is committed to providing practical, professional support for businesses, investors, and management in an efficient, cost-effective manner, allowing you to fully achieve your objectives. 

My personal focus is on engaging with executives, managers, and teams to design and redesign programs, processes, or the organization itself.  I take a design thinking approach and bring a systemic and functional perspective to provide solutions and enable organizations to create the results they desire.  www.practicaldecisions.com

The Facts...

 

The ACE regular meeting has networking, a buffet breakfast and a speaker. Guests are welcome.

Registrations (and registration cancellations) are required by January 17th, 2017. If you want to be included on the registration list at the meeting then you need to register by the due date.

 

You can pay online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS!) or mail a check to:
ACE
110 Marginal Way #142
Portland ME 04101

If you are mailing a check, please register here so the system can track the registrants for us. Thanks!

Members: the $22 fee only works if you pay in advance. At the door, it is $28.

Cancellation - the meeting will be cancelled if Portland Schools are cancelled.