WATERVILLE, Maine — The Waterville business scene has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years since Jeremy Barron was last on Colby College's campus.
“I think there’s been tremendous growth, even just going to downtown Waterville, you see amazing development," he said Wednesday.
Barron was recently named the Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Dirigo Labs, a start-up accelerator program based in Waterville. The program is now helping its second wave of companies after launching last year. Barron was a mentor for the one company last year and will help all businesses in this cohort.
“I think I’m just excited to impart all or any of the knowledge that applies to whatever specific situation they’re in, to them," he added.
After working on a start-up of his own for nearly a decade, Barron has worked in the industry in multiple states like Colorado, Massachusetts, and recently, Maine.
After spending time as a mentor in Waterville and at the Techstars Accelerator Program in Portland, Barron knows how these new companies can stimulate the local economy.
"Especially venture businesses, early stage, that have so much growth potential," he added.
If you think about it, Barrons said, if new companies move to or stay in Maine and grow, they can bring more employees and their families to the state and set up here long-term.
All that growth can lead to more jobs thanks to the commitment and effort to bring more technology start-ups to the state.
“That commitment to early-stage ventures is really prominent now," he added.
Dirigo Labs puts their companies through a 12-week program that culminates with a pitch competition in front of potential investors.