Cleantech Open Northeast Portland Business Briefing

Come learn how to help cleantech startups get going and growing with Cleantech Open Northeast and our partners at E2Tech, the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine!

With Special Guest Speaker:

Don Gooding
Executive Director, Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development

Don Gooding has been Executive Director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development since October 2010. He is also Vice Chair of the Maine Angels and has taught or spoken about innovation and entrepreneurship at USM, UMaine, SMCC, UNE and Colby. Previously he was a telecommunications market analyst and venture capitalist for fifteen years, founded and ran a global specialty music business for sixteen years, and has invested as an angel since the late 1990s.

And Host Speakers:

Jeff Marks
Execitive Director, E2Tech

Before joining E2Tech, Jeff was Deputy Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office where he advised the Governor, Legislature and State agencies on energy policy options, development and implementation; participated in Legislative hearings and work sessions, businesses, non-profits and federal and local government officials; managed the State Energy Program; and provided policy, financing and technical support for businesses, non-profits and government entities. Prior to his state service, Jeff was Director, Energy & Environmental, Health and Safety Policy and managed government relations’ activities for United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in Washington, DC. Jeff received his BA in political science from the University of Southern Maine and his MPA from the University of Southern California. He also received his JD from the University of California, Davis School of Law and is a member of the California Bar.

Bonnie Frye Hemphill
Maine Innovation and Cleantech Conector, E2Tech

Bonnie has a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs and executives advocate together for practical and profitable climate and energy solutions. Prior to E2Tech, Bonnie launched Maine Businesses for Climate Action, a project of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Similarly, she helped run a network called Business Leaders for Climate Solutions in Seattle, where she increased membership from 125 to 1,200+ in her three years in the Northwest. Bonnie's masters thesis at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies examined the role of philanthropy in US climate advocacy. She holds a BA from Middlebury College, hails from North Carolina, has lived and adventured in every corner of North America, and has now finally made her home in Maine.

Katie MacDonald
Director, Cleantech Open Northeast

Katie is an organizer, project manager, and innovation enthusiast with a high level understanding of the organizational management and clean energy spaces. Through her experience working with communities, students, and stakeholders in the cleantech ecosystem, Katie has developed a top notch ability to motivate teams, manage campaigns, and develop high level operational and strategic plans for organizations. In past roles Katie has taught and designed leadership development curriculum for public and private universities, served as a regional organizer for the world's largest climate advocacy organization, written and collaborated with policy makers on renewable energy legislation, worked to develop cleantech solutions in the United States and Central America, and co-founded a regional youth climate advocacy organization. Katie graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S in Environmental Science.

Are you an energy or environmental entrepreneur looking for ways to accelerate your startup, expand your cleantech network, and explore funding opportunities?

Join us for an intimate briefing to hear from the Northeast Region of the Cleantech Open business accelerator program and competition and learn more about how the program can help you grow your cleantech venture, or mentor entrepreneurs looking to solve our biggest environmental and energy challenges.

Come and ask questions of Cleantech Open staff and volunteers learn about the program and explore what the Cleantech Open can offer you, whether you are an entrepreneur, prospective mentor, or simply wish to learn more!