Breakthrough Maine event series launches five new events to connect, inspire, and supercharge Maine's innovation ecosystem
Building on the success of the inaugural Breakthrough Maine event series, which brought more than 2,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and community members together, Northeastern University’s Roux Institute and Maine Technology Institute announce five spring events that will connect, inspire, and supercharge Maine’s innovation ecosystem:
Thursday, April 9
What does it mean to model courage, hope, and responsibility in uncertain times? Join Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Barton Seaver on Thursday, April 9 for a deeply personal conversation about living with intention in a time of climate change. Dr. Johnson, a marine biologist, climate policy expert, and author, and Seaver, a chef, author, and sustainable food systems advocate, will explore how our values, as expressed through the food we serve, the work we choose, and the communities we build, shape the world we all inherit.
Cohosted by Friends School of Portland and the ClimateTech Incubator at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, and sponsored by The Nature Conservancy in Maine, with support from Innovation Partner M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust
Roux Student Achievement Showcase
Thursday, April 16
Explore the real-world solutions our students are creating. From AI integration initiatives, multilingual chatbots, data dashboards, and more, this is where to meet the next generation of Maine’s tech innovators. The event will kick off with three keynote presentations, followed by an opportunity to connect with 40+ students showcasing their research and academic projects.
Monday, May 18
Startup Maine Week 2026 is the conference for people who are building. With new energy, refreshed programming, and a lineup of founders and investors you haven’t seen here before, this is where Maine’s startup community comes together, whether you’re launching your first product or scaling your tenth. The Roux Institute is proud to be a sponsor of Startup Maine Week 2026 and is hosting events on campus.
Venture Forward Kennebunk: Showcase
Tuesday, June 2
Ready to be inspired? Hear from eleven entrepreneurs and small business owners in Kennebunk who’ve spent the last eight weeks scaling their ventures, exploring new markets, and building long-term sustainability. Join us to learn about the progress participants made and celebrate the innovation and community impact they’re fostering.
Presented with support from Innovation Partner M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust
AI in Action 2026: Business Summit
Friday, June 5
Get practical insights into how AI is being applied across business, workforce development, and research. Whether your organization is just starting to explore AI or already putting it to work, the AI in Action 2026: Business Summit will help you learn from real examples, build useful connections, and leave with ideas you can put into action.
Presented by the Roux Institute, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce
We can’t wait to see you on campus!