SKOWHEGAN, Maine – Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, in partnership with Main Street Skowhegan, Maine Outdoor Brands and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation is excited to announce their upcoming Start Summit: Outdoor Rec & Tech – a fun, engaging event April 6-7 that provides the opportunity to work innovatively with a team to solve an outdoor rec-related challenge, and the chance to receive a cash prize. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 6 at Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp (65 Water St.) with a welcome and networking event, panel discussion, and team formation and ideation. The full-day event will take place on Friday, April 7 beginning at 9 a.m. at The SPACE on the River (181 Water St. in Skowhegan).
Sponsored by the Maine Technology Institute and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, the free event is open to the public.
“We’re thrilled to be a partner in Start Summit,” said Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This type of programming from the Roux Institute supports the innovation in the outdoor recreation economy and the entrepreneurial spirit in Maine. Skowhegan is the perfect place to host the summit because of the community revitalization that’s happening due to a focus on outdoor recreation to help grow the local economy.”
Anyone can experience what it’s like to work on a start-up team, race to solve a problem and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. The first-place team will win $3,000 and the second-place team will win $2,000. Throughout the event, teams will be supported by experts and colleagues, and fueled by delicious food.
“This year, we have had the opportunity to run Start Summits in Waterville, Lewiston and Portland, and we are delighted to expand our reach to Skowhegan in April, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors,” said Anna Ackerman, entrepreneurship programming manager at the Roux Institute. “We are looking forward to seeing what participants come up with within the compelling category of outdoor recreation, an industry that brings immense socio-economic value to the State of Maine and across the nation.”
Those who would like to learn more and register can visit rouxevents.northeastern.edu/startsummitoutdoorrec(scroll down to “Register” to sign up). To explore Skowhegan and find a place to stay, go to visitskowhegan.com.
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About Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) was permanently established in 2019, to leverage Maine’s assets and outdoor recreation heritage to grow the outdoor recreation economy and build Maine’s outdoor recreation brand as part of a coordinated effort with partners from the public and private sectors. Learn more at maine.gov/decd/programs/maine-office-of-outdoor-recreation. Maine is a member of the Confluence of States, a coalition of eight states working to strengthen the outdoor recreation industry.
About the Roux Institute
Northeastern University’s Roux Institute is designed to spur innovation, build talent, and drive economic growth in Portland, the state of Maine and the Northeast. Partnerships – with industry, academia, and government – set our education and research model apart. Learn more at roux.northeastern.edu.
About Main Street Skowhegan
A 501c3 nonprofit working to revitalize the town of Skowhegan, Main Street is focused on implementing transformational projects and initiatives that celebrate Skowhegan’s rich heritage and propel the community toward its brightest future as a thriving economic, cultural, and recreational community where residents enjoy a high quality of life. Learn more at mainstreetskowhegan.org.
About Maine Outdoor Brands
Maine Outdoor Brands continues to work to unite, grow, and give a voice to the state’s outdoor recreation industry, supporting knowledge sharing, collaborative marketing, and commerce efforts and access to professional resources. MOB is committed to seeing Maine-based products, services, and retail brands thrive, and today has over 170 member brands that are a part of the mission.