(MTI Press Release November 1, 2013) BRUNSWICK – The Maine Technology Institute’s (MTI) annual TechWalk conference and exhibition will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on Wednesday November 6, 2013. TechWalk will feature more than 60 MTI portfolio technology companies and is expected to draw more than 600 entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and others from across Maine and New England. The exhibition and workshops are open to the public.
The TechWalk luncheon, an invitation only event, begins at 12:00noon and will welcome George Markowsky, PhD as guest speaker. Dr. Markowsky is a globally-recognized expert in cyber-security and a well-known innovator. He was the founding President of the Maine Software Developers Association (MeSDA), and continues to work closely with companies and state agencies to promote the development of the software industry in Maine. Dr. Markowsky will speak about risk and security and the impact of risk on innovation.
A series of workshops covering topics of interest to Start-up and Growth companies will begin at 2:00pm, with a special Power Roundtable session hosted by Blackstone Accelerates Growth at 3:00pm. This interactive roundtable event will focus on the Entrepreneurial & Innovation Ecosystem in Maine, and will evaluate its strengths, weaknesses and needs. Due to limited space registration is required to attend the workshops.
The TechWalk exhibition will take place between 5:00pm and 8:00pm, and will showcase 60+ of Maine’s leading technology companies from MTI’s portfolio, as well as organizations supporting entrepreneurs and innovation in Maine. Featured companies and organizations include biotechnology organizations like Jackson Labs, Mount Desert Island Biological Lab, and Bigelow Laboratory for Marine Science. Also exhibiting will be growing companies like Kepware Technologies, Sea & Reef Aquaculture and Ocean Renewable Power Company, as well as innovative start-ups like LifeKite, Bitzy Baby and Freeport Metrics. Several Cluster Initiative Program organizations like the USM/UMO Manufacturing Cluster, Maine Composites Alliance and E2tech will also be exhibiting.
According to Bob Martin, President of MTI, “TechWalk is the event that showcases MTI’s investment for Maine in innovative technology companies, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, legislators and business services from across Maine and New England. It underscores the importance of Maine’s technology-based economic development.”
For more information, to register for the exhibition and to reserve space in the workshops (space is limited), please visit www.mainetechnology.org/techwalk2013.
The Maine Technology Institute is a publicly-funded, not-for-profit, independent venture fund whose mission is to identify and invest in entrepreneurs and companies in Maine who engage innovative technologies. For more information please visit www.mainetechnology.org.