Upcoming Events

Are you a new startup, or thinking about starting a business in NH?

Accelerate your startup at this informative half-day event. Gain priceless information and gather vital resources through panel discussions, breakout sessions, keynote speaker and networking, all focused on helping startups launch and grow their business.

We will also recognize the 10 startup stars, as featured in the July issue of Business NH Magazine.

Online registration is now closed, tickets will be available at the door.

Schedule of Events

8:30 a.m.      Arrive and Networking
9 a.m.           Welcome Remarks and Startup Stars Recognition
9:30 a.m.      Full Group Panel: Startup 101
10:10 a.m.    Breakout Sessions (Tales from the Trenches or Financing Your Startup)
10:40 a.m.    Break and Networking
10:55 a.m.    Full Group Panel: Available Resources for Startups
11:30 a.m.    Breakout Sessions (Hiring Employees or Marketing your Startup)
12 p.m.         Lunch
12:20 p.m.    Keynote Speaker
1p.m.            Event Concludes

Keynote Speaker

Bill Aulet, Author of Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup and Disciplined Entrepreneurship Workbook, Ethernet Inventors Professor of the Practice of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management and managing director at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship serving all of MIT for the past 15 years.

Available Resources Panelists:

• Chris Walkley, Senior VP Commercial Banker and Team Leader, Bank of NH
• Kyla Brustin, North & Central Regional Director, NH Small Business Development Center
• Julie Demers, Executive Director, NH Tech Alliance
• Chandra Reber, Director, Center for Women & Enterprise 
• Heather Turner, Co-Chair and Event Manager, SCORE Granite Region

Startup 101 Panelists:

• Adam Coughlin, Co-Founder, CMO and managing partner, York IE 
• Julie Glosner, Southern Regional Director, NH Small Business Development Center
• Nathan Pascarella, Director, Hypertherm Ventures and NH Tech Alliance Board Member
• Emily Penaskovic, Corporate Attorney, Sheehan Phinney

Tales from the Trenches Breakout Session:

• Josh Velasquez, Founder, Shire's Naturals
• Amy LaBelle, Founder and Winemaker, LaBelle Winery
• Joe Whitten, CEO and Co-Founder, Apparel Impact

Financing Your Startup Breakout Session:

• Katie Reid, VP Commercial Banker, Bank of NH
• Amy K. Bassett, district director, NH District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Liz Hitchcock, principal, Orbit Group
• Edward Miles, Seacoast Regional Director, NH Small Business Development Center
• Jamie Simchik, co-founder, Launch NH
• Latonya Wallace, NH Community Loan Fund Director of Community Relations and vice chair of The Business Alliance for People of Color

Marketing Your Startup Breakout Session:

• Mackenzie Fraser, Senior VP, EVR Advertising
• Rachel Ballatori, Founder and CEO, Mill & Co.
• Stephanie McLaughlin, Principal, Savoir Faire Marketing

Hiring Your First Employees Breakout Session:

• Andrea Chatfield, Attorney, Sheehan Phinney
• Alison Milioto, Founder and Consultant, Blue Lion

*Panelists and topics are subject to change

Get in the holiday spirit and find unique local products and gifts for everyone on your list at at the 2024 Very Merry Holiday Gift Festival, your one-stop holiday gift shop, featuring products made right here in New England!

Browse a variety of vendor booths and support local small businesses while doing all of your holiday shopping! Plus, enjoy vendor demonstrations, kids activities, a visit from Santa, a special kid-only shopping area, festive sounds of the season live from the expo stage, a 21+ holiday spirits aisle and more!

Purchase Tickets

Adults: $6
Seniors (65+): $5
Children Under 14: FREE

(tickets will also be available at the door)