WATERVILLE — The fifth annual Central Maine Converge and Create Weekend is scheduled to be hosted virtually by the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, for the Greenlight Maine Collegiate Business Pitch state-wide college competition at Thomas College.

The event is for individuals interested in entrepreneurship and stories about how ordinary people took ordinary ideas and turned them into extraordinary businesses. This year, attendees will have the opportunity to learn through interacting online with entrepreneurs and several industry experts who provide assistance and early-stage capital to grow and scale businesses.

To register, visit thomas.edu/create. The cost is free for both the public and for students.

“I’m once again delighted to be able to bring such a talented group of experts in the field of entrepreneurship to the public,” said Mike Duguay, executive director of Thomas College’s Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation, according to a news release from the college. “These entrepreneurs are developing and scaling the businesses that will help drive our economy forward in the near future. In addition, the industry experts that we will hear from on how to foster and grow entrepreneurial ventures are some of the best at this in the country.”

Friday’s lineup will include Jake Warn, founder of SledTrx; Dylan Veilleux, founder of Tree Free Heat; Christian Krohg, founder of Easy Eats; Nick Rimsa, founder of Tortoise Labs and Eariously; Joe Powers, Maine Venture Fund; Sandra Stone, chair of Maine Angels; Sarah Joy Chaples, Small Business Development manager for the state; Susan Ruhlin, managing director of Dirigo Labs; Thomas Kittredge, investment officer for MTI; Chandler Jones, principal at CEI Ventures; and Chris Wolfel, director of Entrepreneurship for the Roux Institute.

On Saturday, attendees can listen to live business pitches as the Emmy-nominated television show “Greenlight Maine” conducts its preliminary business pitch competition with college students throughout Maine. Competitors are vying for the opportunity to appear on the show later in the year and to compete for prize money.