🗺️

My Guide to New Hampshire’s Startup Ecosystem

Date Published
February 1, 2025
Topics
BusinessNew Hampshire
Type
Long-form

🌿 Introduction: Why This Guide Exists

New Hampshire raised me. Its forests and fields shaped my earliest memories, and its values still shape my choices. I grew up helping my dad take care of our family garden—hauling wheelbarrows, chopping wood, and learning how to work with care and persistence. That foundation of grit, patience, and pride in progress stayed with me as I started building companies from scratch.

I’ve founded three businesses here:

  • Triumph Software (Loggit): My first product, built in high school, helped hundreds of NH teachers manage their professional development.
  • ecoText: A college venture to reimagine textbook affordability and classroom collaboration.
  • Wild Capital: A real estate investment company that champions equitable, community-rooted housing.

This guide exists because I had to figure all of this out the hard way. There was no clear roadmap, no central hub of resources. Just a lot of digging, cold emails, and showing up. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned to make the path easier for the next generation of dreamers and doers.

People often overlook NH. But beneath the quiet exterior, it’s brimming with ambition, creativity, and good-hearted builders. This guide is a tribute to that spirit—a living, growing resource for anyone eager to build something meaningful here.

🔹 How to Use This Guide

Think of this as your Swiss Army knife for building in New Hampshire. It’s designed for:

  • Founders at any stage
  • Students and recent grads
  • Remote workers seeking connection
  • Builders thinking about launching their next thing here

You can skim it all or jump to what you need:

Bookmark this guide. Share it. And come back often. I’ll keep it updated as the ecosystem grows.

🌱 II. Building With and For Community

New Hampshire has a distinct social rhythm. It’s a place where people deeply respect independence but show up when it matters. Here, community doesn’t shout—it shows up with a snow shovel, a fresh cup of coffee, or a job lead.

Community takes intention here. Plant the seed, water it, and it will grow. That’s why I started casual networking nights in Portsmouth—simple gatherings where people share stories and spark new ideas. But you don’t need an event to build community in NH. It happens in coffee shops, coworking desks, and on local trails. If you show up and care, you can build something lasting.

If you’re new, the best advice I can give is to just show up. Say yes to the coffee invites. Offer to help at events. Talk about what you’re building. You’ll be surprised how fast your circle grows here.

🗓️ III. Showing Up: Events and Networking in NH

Plugging into the ecosystem starts with showing up. Here are key places to connect:

Recurring Meetups:

  • eBrew (Portsmouth): A laid-back monthly tech hangout over beers—a great entry point for casual networking.
  • Tech Socials (Manchester/Concord): Friendly mixers organized by the NH Tech Alliance and community leaders, often hosted at local breweries or coworking spaces.
  • Young Professional Networks (YP): Active groups in Concord, Nashua, Keene, Manchester, and the Seacoast regularly host events geared toward rising talent, often blending business with socializing.

Annual Flagship Events:

  • TechOut: A live pitch competition awarding startups with $100K+ in equity investments from the Millworks Fund.
  • Startup Shindig: A spring showcase and celebration featuring Accelerate NH graduates.
  • Dartmouth Ventures: A high-energy pitch and networking event drawing the Upper Valley’s best and brightest.
  • Innovation Summit: A fall gathering of founders, funders, and policymakers.
  • Speed Venture Summit: Rapid-fire investor meetings, keynotes, and startup demos.
  • TechWomen Power Events: Celebrating and connecting women in tech statewide.

How to Stay Updated:

🚀 IV. Accelerators, Incubators & Residency Programs

New Hampshire offers a wide mix of startup support programs, from accelerators and incubators to coworking residencies. These are designed to nurture founders at all stages.

  • Accelerate NH (Alpha Loft): This is the state’s most visible accelerator program, hosted by the NH Tech Alliance. It runs for three months and provides workshops, mentorship, free office space, and culminates in the Startup Shindig pitch event. If you're an early-stage tech company, this is a great way to get plugged into the ecosystem fast.
  • Hannah Grimes Center (Keene): A deeply rooted incubator in the Monadnock region supporting small businesses and rural entrepreneurs. They offer co-working, pitch competitions, workshops, and cohort-based business labs. It’s a powerful example of a community-first approach to entrepreneurship.
  • York IE Labs (Manchester): A venture studio and early-stage investor that co-founds and supports B2B SaaS companies. They take a hands-on approach to building startups and are particularly interested in NH-based ventures.
  • Dartmouth Regional Technology Center (Lebanon): A nonprofit incubator offering 60,000+ sq. ft. of lab and office space ideal for biotech and advanced tech startups. Partnered closely with Dartmouth College.
  • UNH ECenter (Durham): The Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center at UNH supports students and alumni with pitch coaching, competitions, startup funds, and mentorship. Even if you’re not a student, many of their public events are worth attending.
  • GoodWork (Portsmouth): A nonprofit incubator that supports mission-driven startups and nonprofits. They provide capacity-building programs, co-working space at Carey Cottage, and rich community engagement.
  • Genuine Local (Laconia): A specialty food incubator with a commercial kitchen, packaging facilities, and a built-in food entrepreneur community. Perfect for anyone launching a product like hot sauce, granola, or craft beverages.

These programs are as diverse as the state itself—whether you’re prototyping a hardware product in Nashua, pitching a SaaS play in Manchester, or running a community venture in Keene, there’s likely a support structure nearby.

🧠 V. Mentorship, Advisors, and Making Connections

New Hampshire may be small, but that’s its superpower when it comes to mentorship. In a place where relationships matter and everyone is a warm intro away, it’s surprisingly easy to connect with experienced founders, domain experts, and community champions who want to help you win.

  • SCORE (NH Chapters): Backed by the SBA, SCORE offers free, confidential business mentoring. With chapters across the state (Seacoast, Merrimack Valley, etc.), they can pair you with mentors in your field—whether you’re building a food company or scaling a SaaS platform.
  • NH SBDC (Small Business Development Center): The SBDC offers no-cost one-on-one business advising, workshops, and e-courses. Their advisors often become trusted guides throughout the startup journey, and they can introduce you to other resources, grant programs, and potential partners.
  • CWE (Center for Women & Enterprise): This SBA-backed organization offers training and mentorship for women entrepreneurs—but their programs are open to all. They run business planning cohorts, networking events, and can help with capital access.
  • NH Tech Alliance Expert Office Hours: The NHTA hosts regular office hours with specialists in marketing, fundraising, legal, product, and more. These short, focused sessions often lead to long-term mentor relationships. I’ve met incredible people this way.
  • University Networks: If you're near UNH or Dartmouth, you can tap into their extended mentor networks. Dartmouth's Magnuson Center and UNH's ECenter often host public events, competitions, and advisory panels where local founders can engage directly with seasoned professionals.
  • Peer Mentorship: Sometimes the best advice comes from someone who’s just a few steps ahead. Groups like 1 Million Cups (formerly in Upper Valley and Nashua), Young Professionals Networks, and Founder Series events hosted by NHTA are built for this kind of peer-to-peer exchange.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned early on: don’t be afraid to ask for help. People in NH want to help. They’re just waiting for you to make the first move.

📍 VI. Regional Hotspots and Startup Hubs

Different corners of New Hampshire each offer something unique to founders. Here’s a tour of the key regions and what they’re known for:

Portsmouth & the Seacoast:

  • Known for its creative energy and dense community of remote workers, nonprofits, and mission-driven startups. Coworking spots like CoWerc and GoodWork provide physical hubs, while events like eBrew and TechWomen breakfasts help keep the spark alive.

Manchester & the Millyard:

  • The beating heart of NH tech. With deep roots in engineering and biotech (thanks to DEKA and ARMI), and growing SaaS activity fueled by York IE and Accelerate NH, this is a prime spot for founders who want to go fast. The Millyard offers great office space, startup meetups, and access to investors.

Concord:

  • NH's capital is rising in the startup scene. HRKNSScowork anchors the ecosystem downtown, and events like the Launch NH Pitch Competition have added serious momentum. This is a great city for policy-minded founders or community-focused ventures.

Nashua & Southern NH:

  • With close proximity to Boston, this region is becoming a hub for hardware, robotics, and manufacturing-forward startups. NashuaHUB and MakeIt Labs provide space and tools, and the region benefits from strong tech talent and young professionals.

Keene & the Monadnock Region:

  • A shining example of rural innovation. The Hannah Grimes Center is the anchor here, offering programs and co-working for small businesses and nonprofits. Keene blends community spirit with entrepreneurial grit.

Upper Valley:

  • With Dartmouth at its core, this region is a biotech and medtech powerhouse. The DRTC provides space for R&D-heavy startups, and Dartmouth Ventures connects founders with capital and expertise.

Lakes Region & North Country:

  • More rural, but full of opportunity. Meredith-based Genuine Local supports food entrepreneurs, and co-working is emerging in towns like Plymouth and Littleton. If you’re looking to build where life is quieter and support is tight-knit, this is fertile ground.

Whether you want city vibes or country calm, there’s a pocket of NH ready for you to grow roots. And the best part? None of it is too far from a hike, a lake, or a good local beer.

🏛️ VII. Key Institutions & Ecosystem Builders

New Hampshire's entrepreneurial landscape is supported by a tightly knit group of institutions that punch far above their weight. These are the backbone of our startup scene—from advocacy and funding to hands-on support.

  • NH Tech Alliance (NHTA): The state's go-to convener for everything tech. NHTA runs events, supports Accelerate NH, publishes job boards, hosts investor forums, and serves as a central calendar and connection point for the whole state. If you're building in NH, you should be on their radar (and vice versa).
  • Stay Work Play NH: Focused on making the state attractive to young professionals and remote workers. They spotlight community stories, host networking events, and work closely with YP groups in every major city. They're not startup-exclusive, but they play a critical role in talent retention and lifestyle advocacy.
  • NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The backbone of small business advising across NH. They offer free, 1-on-1 advising and online courses, and help with everything from writing your first business plan to preparing for investor meetings.
  • Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE): A regional SBA Women's Business Center offering support, workshops, and community for women founders—and allies. They help founders across industries with capital access, strategy, and peer circles.
  • Business Finance Authority (BFA): The BFA is a quiet powerhouse when it comes to funding NH ventures. They back key investment vehicles like the Millworks Fund and Vox Fund and provide loan guarantees that de-risk early-stage capital. If you win TechOut, you're working with BFA-backed dollars.
  • UNH Innovation / NHIRC: The bridge between research and business. UNH Innovation administers NH's top non-dilutive grant program (NHIRC), helping companies fund R&D in partnership with NH universities. They also offer SBIR support via the FOSTER program.
  • Local Economic Development Orgs: From Grafton County to Rockingham, these often-overlooked orgs provide affordable office space, microloans, and technical assistance. They're also connected to regional pitch competitions and infrastructure development. Think of them as the connective tissue that makes rural entrepreneurship viable.

These institutions may not all make headlines—but they absolutely make progress possible. I’ve worked with many of them firsthand, and I can say this: they care. They show up. And they want to help you succeed.

💰 VIII. Capital, Grants & Funding Opportunities

Navigating funding is a core part of any startup journey. New Hampshire offers a mix of non-dilutive grants, pitch competitions, early-stage venture capital, and incentive programs to help entrepreneurs build momentum:

  • NH Innovation Research Center (NHIRC) Grants: These grants fund R&D partnerships between startups and NH universities. Up to $125K in state-backed funds (with matching from the company) help bring new products to life. Ideal for science and tech companies.
  • SBIR/STTR Support via FOSTER: FOSTER is a free service at UNH that helps you apply for federal SBIR/STTR grants—often a lifeline for deep tech and research-focused startups. They even offer microgrants to cover the cost of writing your proposal.
  • TechOut Startup Competition: This is NH's premier pitch event with serious cash on the line. Winners receive investment from the Millworks Fund II, a BFA-backed angel syndicate. It's high-stakes but high-reward.
  • Accelerate NH Funding: Startups accepted into Accelerate NH may also receive early-stage investment from Millworks Fund II. It’s one of the best ways to go from zero to funded.
  • Vox Fund: A venture fund managed by Borealis Ventures, dedicated to healthtech and life sciences. If you're in biotech or digital health, this is a strategic local partner.
  • MYPN Startup Challenge: A long-running statewide pitch competition open to all NH startups. Finalists receive in-kind services and a generous cash prize, no equity taken.
  • Launch NH Pitch Night: A newer competition out of Concord, this event gives emerging founders a platform to showcase their work to local investors and community supporters.
  • Granite State Growth Competition: Another opportunity for a $25K prize—especially geared toward startups with strong local impact.
  • University-led Competitions: The Holloway Prize (UNH), Dartmouth Ventures, and the NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge all offer real cash awards, plus visibility.
  • R&D and Hiring Incentives: NH's R&D Tax Credit, Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) tax relief, and Job Training Fund all help reduce costs as you grow. Worth a look when you’re scaling up.
  • Angel and VC Landscape: Groups like Northeast Angels, eCoast Angels, and Dartmouth Angels are active in the state. York IE (Manchester) invests in B2B SaaS, while Vox Fund and Millworks focus on strategic sectors. Boston investors also regularly back NH-based companies.

Funding here takes hustle, but the pathways are real. I’ve walked many of them myself. With the right mix of persistence and pitch polish, you can stack up the grants, win a competition or two, and catch the eye of a local investor. Let this be your map.

🎓 IX. Higher Ed & Startup Synergy

New Hampshire’s colleges and universities are more than just places of learning—they’re vital engines for entrepreneurship, innovation, and workforce development.

  • University of New Hampshire (UNH)
    • Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter): Offers idea coaching, summer seed grants, and the i2 Passport Program. Hosts the NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge (SVIC), which is open to anyone in NH.
    • Paul College of Business: Home to the Holloway Prize, a prestigious innovation-to-market competition open to all University System of NH students.
    • UNH Innovation / NHIRC: Supports technology transfer, SBIR coaching, and university-industry collaborations.
    • UNH Manchester: Offers programs and internships with Millyard-based startups, contributing talent to the Manchester ecosystem.
  • Dartmouth College
    • Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship: Hosts Dartmouth Ventures, summer accelerators, and an active mentor network.
    • Thayer School of Engineering / DALI Lab: Provides opportunities for startups to work with students on tech prototyping.
    • Tuck School of Business: Offers student consulting teams and business resources, often engaging with local ventures.
  • Plymouth State University (PSU)
    • Hosts the Enterprise Center at Plymouth (in partnership with Grafton RDC) which provides office space and startup support for regional entrepreneurs.
  • Keene State College (KSC)
    • Offers entrepreneurship programming and partners with Hannah Grimes Center to connect students with real-world ventures.
  • Community Colleges
    • Offer small business management programs and sometimes co-locate with local business support centers.
    • River Valley Community College (RVCC) has a small business center and coworking in Claremont and Keene.

Universities here welcome collaboration. Whether you’re seeking student interns, co-founders, research partners, or just a place to test your ideas—start with these institutions. They’re woven into the ecosystem and eager to engage.

🛠️ X. Bonus Resources Every NH Founder Should Know

Here are a few final tools, programs, and directories that don’t fit neatly elsewhere but are crucial to building in NH:

  • Business Formation: NH QuickStart is where you officially form an LLC or corporation.
  • Legal Help: Firms like Devine Millimet offer free startup legal consultations through their Business Launch Initiative.
  • R&D Tax Credit: Up to $50K in refundable state tax credit for R&D expenses.
  • Job Training Fund: NH will match your employee training investments 1:1.
  • Coworking Directories: Many regions have informal lists. NHTA and Stay Work Play often point to active spaces.
  • Press Outlets: NH Business Review, Union Leader, and Business NH Magazine regularly feature startups.
  • Community Platforms: Join Facebook groups like "NH Women Entrepreneurs" or "NH Small Business Community."
  • Local Slack Channels: Ask around—some cities (like Portsmouth and Manchester) have private Slack communities for founders.
  • Events to Bookmark: TechOut, Startup Shindig, Dartmouth Ventures, MYPN Challenge, SVIC, Launch NH, 1 Million Cups (if revived).

💬 XI. Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I hope you found something here that gives you clarity, confidence, or inspiration.

New Hampshire is where I learned the value of hard work. It’s where I found the courage to try, fail, and try again. It’s where I still choose to build because I believe in what this place can become.

The Granite State is small enough that your impact will be felt, but mighty enough that your vision can stretch far beyond it.

Please:

  • Share this guide with other builders.
  • Reach out if you’re looking for help or introductions.
  • Send in new resources or updates so we can improve this together.

Because if you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

And if you want to go far with beautiful landscapes, New Hampshire’s calling.