UpStart Maine’s Blitz Bangor Entrepreneurship Conference - Sept 23
September 22, 2026
Blitz is a one-day event for entrepreneurs of all stages, partners in the business and venture capital realms, and those who are considering starting their own business. Attendees attend workshop sessions, discussions, and network with founders, makers, and corporate entrepreneurs. Sessions include topics on building trust and advancing your reputation, what partners wish entrepreneurs understood earlier, and Maine’s competitive edge in the startup marketplace. Multiple networking breaks throughout the day serve as opportunities for attendees to expand their networks and ask questions of presenters, and the day ends with a happy hour networking event.
WHO: Maine business leaders and entrepreneurs make up panels leading the day’s sessions. Attendees are entrepreneurs, students, and the Maine business community. Keynote Speaker: Michael Duguay, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
WHAT: Blitz Bangor Entrepreneurship Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Full agenda available below
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn, 250 Haskell Road, Bangor
About Blitz Bangor Entrepreneurship Conference
The Blitz Bangor Area Entrepreneurship Conference has united entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners since 2018. This year’s conference will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 250 Haskell Road, Bangor. Registration is now open at https://upstartmaine.org/entrepreneurial-events/.
Direct ticket link to Blitz Entrepreneurial Conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blitz-2026-tickets-1991059445399
About UpStart Maine: UpStart Maine (www.upstartmaine.org) is an innovation hub in the Bangor region, dedicated to building a community that fuels entrepreneurship by connecting scalable ventures with resources, customers, and each other. UpStart Maine supports entrepreneurs statewide with programs in the Bangor region, including Bangor Innovation Center, Bangor Region Top Gun, Big Gig pitch-off, Blitz Bangor, Foster Center for Innovation, MaineStream Finance, RIZE Coworking, Scratchpad Accelerator, and UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship.
Full Agenda:
8:30–9 a.m. Registration and connection
9–9:05 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:05–9:30 a.m. Keynote–Commissioner Michael Duguay, Maine DECD
9:30–10:30 a.m. Panel 1: “Reputation is Currency: How You Show Up Matter Before You Say Anything” with Lyndee Waldbauer, Terry Johnson, Sabina Hitchen, Dan McDonald
10:30–11:30 a.m. Panel 2: “What Opens Doors: How Capital, Partnership and Opportunities Move” with Heather Fogg, Tanner Hanes, Charlotte Mace, Justin Dubois
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Facilitated Table Discussion
12–12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30–1:30 p.m. Panel 3: “Panel 3: What Ecosystem Partners Wish Entrepreneurs Understood Earlier” with Anik Derphilibossian, David Green, Alison Lane, Banjo Ogunlela
1:30–2 p.m. Facilitated Table Session #2
2–3 p.m. Panel 4: “Maine's Next Advantage: Where Opportunity is Emerging” with Justin Hafner, Abigail Naana Osei, Joe Powers, Yellow Green
3–4 p.m. Happy Hour! Stay for happy hour, where the day's connections deepen, deals get made, and the best conversations of the day are just getting started.
Full panelist list available at upstartmaine.org/blitz-bangor
WHO: Maine business leaders and entrepreneurs make up panels leading the day’s sessions. Attendees are entrepreneurs, students, and the Maine business community. Keynote Speaker: Michael Duguay, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
WHAT: Blitz Bangor Entrepreneurship Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Full agenda available below
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn, 250 Haskell Road, Bangor
About Blitz Bangor Entrepreneurship Conference
The Blitz Bangor Area Entrepreneurship Conference has united entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners since 2018. This year’s conference will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 250 Haskell Road, Bangor. Registration is now open at https://upstartmaine.org/entrepreneurial-events/.
Direct ticket link to Blitz Entrepreneurial Conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blitz-2026-tickets-1991059445399
About UpStart Maine: UpStart Maine (www.upstartmaine.org) is an innovation hub in the Bangor region, dedicated to building a community that fuels entrepreneurship by connecting scalable ventures with resources, customers, and each other. UpStart Maine supports entrepreneurs statewide with programs in the Bangor region, including Bangor Innovation Center, Bangor Region Top Gun, Big Gig pitch-off, Blitz Bangor, Foster Center for Innovation, MaineStream Finance, RIZE Coworking, Scratchpad Accelerator, and UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship.
Full Agenda:
8:30–9 a.m. Registration and connection
9–9:05 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:05–9:30 a.m. Keynote–Commissioner Michael Duguay, Maine DECD
9:30–10:30 a.m. Panel 1: “Reputation is Currency: How You Show Up Matter Before You Say Anything” with Lyndee Waldbauer, Terry Johnson, Sabina Hitchen, Dan McDonald
10:30–11:30 a.m. Panel 2: “What Opens Doors: How Capital, Partnership and Opportunities Move” with Heather Fogg, Tanner Hanes, Charlotte Mace, Justin Dubois
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Facilitated Table Discussion
12–12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30–1:30 p.m. Panel 3: “Panel 3: What Ecosystem Partners Wish Entrepreneurs Understood Earlier” with Anik Derphilibossian, David Green, Alison Lane, Banjo Ogunlela
1:30–2 p.m. Facilitated Table Session #2
2–3 p.m. Panel 4: “Maine's Next Advantage: Where Opportunity is Emerging” with Justin Hafner, Abigail Naana Osei, Joe Powers, Yellow Green
3–4 p.m. Happy Hour! Stay for happy hour, where the day's connections deepen, deals get made, and the best conversations of the day are just getting started.
Full panelist list available at upstartmaine.org/blitz-bangor
