MTI funding leverages $1.5M, Joel Alex on the sacrifices an entrepreneur makes, Volition Skis closes shop, and more...

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Jan. 27, 2017
By Whit Richardson (@whit_richardson)

Before we get started, I wanted to give a shout out to two of Maine Startups Insider's latest patrons: Joe Migliaccio and Justin Jaffe. Thanks for supporting MSI and helping me continue to write about Maine's startup community.
 

MTI funding leverages $1.5M in private financing

In December, the Maine Technology Institute awarded grants to seven Maine companies, which helped leverage nearly $1.5 million in private financing.
Read more at Maine Startups Insider >>  
 

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Founder Forum

  Joel Alex of Blue Ox Malthouse 

Joel Alex built from scratch what is now the largest malthouse in New England. It was not an easy task. Alex offers an example of the dogged determination that entrepreneurs need to sometimes possess to make their vision a reality. Thankfully, Alex is comfortably removed enough from the grinding startup phase to take some time to reflect on his journey with Maine Startups Insider. Our conversation covered the sacrifices he made to see his business get off the ground; the challenges he faced of not only creating his business, but creating a market; and why he thinks it's sometimes best to learn from one's mistakes rather than take advice.
Read the Founder Forum interview with Joel Alex >>

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Briefly mentioned...

+ Volition Skis in New Gloucester is closing up shop after five years in business. Founder Chris Bagley said "personal matters," including the falling out with a business partner, drove the decision. Fans of Bagley's custom-built skis should not worry, though. Bagley tells Maine Startups Insider he has plans to launch a new company and new brand in the not-too-distant future that will be focused primarily on backcountry skis. 
 

Jobs

Seeking a full-stack engineer? A technical co-founder? A sales or biz dev superstar? Send me your job postings to make this a great resource!

+ CourseStorm in Orono is hiring a growth hacker—or what the company refers to as a "creative scientist—to help elevate its marketing and user-acquisition efforts. Details here. 

+ BlueTarp Financial in Portland is hiring a senior software engineer.

+ Academic Merit, an educational software startup in Portland, is hiring a front-end developer and a software engineer.

+ SoundRink, a concert promotion company in Portland, is hiring a customer service rep.

+ Coria, a Maine-based data science and marketing consulting firm, is currently seeking an experienced UX developer with Axure experience to join its team. To apply, or for more information, send CEO John Hobart an email at jhobart@coria.com.

+ Flyte New Media, a digital marketing agency in Portland, is hiring a WordPress developer.

+ Environetix Technology Corp., a wireless sensor manufacturer in Orono, is hiring a RF engineer/RF technician.

+ Shines & Jecker Laboratories, a Portland-based web development shop, is hiring a part-time developer.

+ Dream Local Digital in Rockland is hiring for a host of positions.

+ Big Room Studios is hiring a front-end developer specializing in React, Angular, and Polymer. They're also looking for back-end developers with experience in Node.

+ Likeable Local is hiring a "customer success manager" and content strategy associate in its Portland office.

+ Double Blue Sports Analytics, with offices in Orono and Brunswick, is looking to hire software engineers. If interested, shoot them an email.

+ Vets First Choice continues to hire like mad. It still has job listings for several positions at its Portland office, from software and systems engineers to data analysts and a sales director.

+ CashStar is hiring a slew of design, engineering and biz dev positions.

+ Kepware Technologies is hiring software and web developers.
 

Calendar

Send me your event or calendar item for possible inclusion.

Tues., Feb. 7 — Hack Portland hosts VR Hack Night from 7-10 p.m. at Big Room Studios' office on Thompson's Point. More details.

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