On the global level, 28 of the world's wealthiest investors simultaneously launched an initiative - the Breakthrough Energy Coalition - committing to investing billions of dollars in private sector capital in early-stage technologies relating to power generation and storage, transportation, industrial use, agriculture, and efficiency improvements. While this initiative presents an unprecedented opportunity to transport the way we generate, store, and use energy, Maine has more limited options.

Lynn Abramson from Washington, DC based Clean Energy Business Network will lead a conversation with MTI, Maine Accelerates Growth, UMaine, and CEI about what we can do in Maine to demonstrate leadership and support of the entrepreneurial spirit to develop next-generation technologies. Importance will be placed on how to best use public sector funding to leverage private sector investments in energy and environmental R&D. The role of the Federal and State governments in providing limited R&D dollars to startups in the energy and environmental sector will be discussed. Lastly, the speakers will deliberate on how can we develop private-public partnerships to harness the enormous potential to convert our natural resources to economic and business development opportunities.

Please visit for http://www.e2tech.org/Expo2017 registration, sponsorship, and agenda information.