January 2020 Edition
Innovation
Sponsored by People's United Bank
5 Qs with Aron Semle
Founder of upBed
1. You founded a company that makes an anklet to detect bed exits and prevent falls for seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. Why did you want to serve this target market? 
[Aron Semle]: Healthcare was a new industry for us initially, but we found that the problem of falls is urgent, pervasive, and the solutions are lacking . It's also very meaningful. When you can prevent a fall, you prevent all the emotional (and financial) distress that comes with it, and that feels good to be a part of.

2. How has upBed 's wearable tech - a soft anklet - helped improve lives?
[AS]: Most of us have experienced the repercussions of a fall in a nursing home; if not, you probably know someone who has. Getting a call in the middle of the night and being told that your loved one fell and is hurt is a terrible experience. Preventing just one of these calls has an immensely positive influence.

3. Do you have plans for designing other wearable tech solutions?
[AS]: Yes. upBed is our first product, and we're using it to learn how to do things and create a revenue source for future products. We have other product ideas, some of which involve wearables, but most of which focus on the aging market.

4. You are a contestant on Season 5 of Greenlight Maine. What was that experience like?
[AS]: What an awesome experience, and a fantastic way to promote all the hardworking entrepreneurs here in Maine. Being on TV makes me nervous, but it has given us great exposure here in Maine and we're grateful for it.

5. We're looking forward to your Tech Night presentation on January 9. Can you give us a preview of what you'll be discussing?
[AS]: We'll discuss how we got started with upBed, what it's been like growing the business here in Maine, the resources we've used, and how we've adapted over time. Hopefully this will encourage others to start a business of their own, and if they already have, to keep on going with it.
Small Business K now-How
Protecting Your Business from the Growing Cyber-Threat of Business E-mail Compromise
As the use of technology in banking increases, risks associated with cyber security also increase. Companies must become well-informed of these threats so that they can take actions to minimize the risk such scams pose to their businesses' operations, customers, and overall reputations. In this issue, learn how to minimize the threat of business e-mail compromise (BCE).
Business Investment
Top Stories of December 2019
Molly Woodward Named CMGC 2019 Emerging Leader of the Year - the chair of KV Connect and business development director for New Dimensions Federal Credit received the award for her leadership of young professionals group KV Connect, which has grown into a robust, active organization that has been an important part of mid-Maine's strategy to recruit and retain young talent.

North River Company Named CMGC 2019 Developer of the Year - the real estate development firm was awarded the title for its success with Hathaway Creative Center, an anchor of downtown Waterville's revitalization, and its plans to redevelop the remaining buildings of the Lockwood Mill complex with a mix of commercial space and residential units.

Waterville Startup Eariously Receives Two Funding Awards to Accelerate Operational Growth - the tech startup won the Big Gig competition and received funding through the Libra Future Fund to refine its initial product offering and broaden the launch of its subscription service, which was offered to Waterville-area users in November 2019.
Welcome Eariously as a new CMGC investor
Eariously is a Waterville-based tech startup building an app that allows users to listen to things they want to read. The company launched its subscription service to Waterville-area users in November 2019 and will broaden the launch while refining the app in 2020.
Central Maine Real Estate Spotlight
Featured Commercial Property Location :
Land Available: 2.77 acres
Sale Price: $69,175
Property Features:
  • Three-phase power
  • Fiber optics
  • Municipal water and sewer
  • Significant permitting already done
Context:
  • High-traffic area on Rt. 137
  • Close proximity to Interstate-95 interchange
Contact : Don Plourde | 207-660-4000 | dplourde@cbplourde.com
Workforce Investment
CMGC Hosts 2nd Maine Virtual Job Fair
In 2019, CMGC piloted the first-of-its-kind Maine Virtual Job Fair (MVJF) and succeeded in connecting Maine employers with over 200 job candidates .
This year, MVJF will be held on February 26, 2020 in order to take advantage of Maine's large university student population - connecting with these highly-qualified job candidates before graduation is a crucial recruitment strategy.

Save the date for Wednesday, February 26 and indicate your interest in this recruitment event by e-mailing Elaine at etcurrier@centralmaine.org for more details.
We hope you enjoy learning about local talent recruitment and retention strategies, and if your business has an innovative strategy or unique culture, please share with us!
A highly educated workforce is critical to our economy; the dynamic economy and ongoing technological advances demand that our labor force be innovative and adaptable. To meet this need now and to prepare our youth for the future, KVCC offers innovative training programs in early childhood education that integrate STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) into its curriculum. KVCC offers the following courses to support early childhood education:
  • Introduction to STEAM Education in the Early Childhood Classroom – This course is designed to introduce early childhood educators and paraprofessionals (preschool through grade 3) to the basics behind the STEM initiative. It will cover why STEM education with the incorporation of the arts (STEAM) is necessary for 21st century learners, the basic pedagogy behind STEM, the various forms it can take in the classroom, the benefits/challenges of STEM-based education, how STEM aligns with the early childhood education theories and standards, and reflections of STEM practices in the early childhood classroom. Class dates: January 21, 2020 – February 28, 2020; ($149.00)
  • Infants & Toddlers II: Strong Healthy Bodies & Curious Minds - This course offers students in-depth exploration of Maine's Infant Toddler Guidelines in the areas of Strong and Healthy Bodies and Curios Minds. Observations, developmental assessments, curriculum planning and implementation, adapting the environment for all children with infants and toddlers will be discussed. Responding to each child and family will be included. Class dates: Online training begins on February 3, 2020. This program is an online course so students can complete the course at their own pace ($149.00 – Scholarships are available).
  • Implementing STEAM Education in the Early Childhood Classroom - This course is designed to assist early childhood educators (preschool through grade 3), who already have a base knowledge in STEM, in creating a STEM-based unit with the incorporation of the Arts. It will cover the benefits/challenges of STEM-based education in an early childhood classroom, the various instructional methods used to implement STEM, explore how to design a STEM-based curriculum, and how to set-up a STEM-inspired ECE environment. Class dates: March 9, 2020 – May 8, 2020; ($249.00).
Quality of Place
Sponsored by MaineGeneral Health
Meet the Millennials: Tom & Tracy Nale, Nale & Nale Law
Just days before CMGC published its "Meet the Millennials" project, featuring Tom & Tracy Nale as millennial leaders within Waterville-area real estate development, the Waterville-native siblings announced their purchase of a second commercial property: 99 Main Street in downtown Waterville .

Now owners of the Arnold Block and 99 Main Street (adjacent) as well as several residential properties, the Nales are optimistic about Waterville. "Most of what we hear is that young educated people are leaving, but it’s important to see that many are staying here and investing, – it can be done . We hope that trend continues and grows," explains Tracy.
Recent Updates at Thayer Center for Health
Investments in comfort and state-of-the-art technology continue to be made at the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville.

These investments include a renovated welcome center, new digital MRI with increased hours of access and the latest robotic surgery technology for same-day surgeries.

Learn more here . 
Stay connected with CMGC:
If you are an investor in CMGC and would like to submit content to CMGC Intelligence , simply reply to this e-mail to speak with Elaine Theriault-Currier.
Board of Directors:

Chris Gaunce, chair – Central Maine Motors Auto Group
Michael Heavener, vice chair – Town of Winslow
Beth Gibbs, treasurer – Thomas College
Lucille Zelenkewich, secretary – Peoples United Bank
John Dalton, past chair – Northern Light Health - Inland Hospital
Elizabeth Fortin – Kennebec Valley Community College
Paul Stein – MaineGeneral Health
Darlene Ratte – Best Western Plus
Michael Roy – City of Waterville
Gary Bowman – Town of Oakland
Michelle Flewelling – Town of Fairfield
Brian Clark – Colby College
Michael Runser – Valley Beverage
Allan Rancourt – Kennebec Federal Savings
Lisa Hallee – Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation
Donald Plourde – Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate
Tom Meucci - Huhtamaki

 Ex-Officio Board Members:
Laura Cyr – Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
Christian Savage - Somerset Economic Development Corporation
James Dinkle – Kennebec Regional Dev. Authority / FirstPark