Maine's first food, beverage, aquaculture and agriculture scale-up accelerator program

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Key Program Elements

Our year long Cultivator program offers comprehensive guidance and support, led by a full-time program manager with over 20 years of experience in the food industry. Our program manager collaborates closely with member companies to gain a deep understanding of their unique business needs and monitor their progress.

Key elements of the Cultivator program include an initial business assessment, the development of a clear action plan, ongoing coaching and mentoring, access to technical assistance funding and consultant support, and participation in industry-specific workshops and events.

Individual Company Business Assessment & Prioritized Action Plan

We initiate the program with a comprehensive assessment, both internal and third-party, to pinpoint the gaps and needs that your business must address to achieve its next level of growth.

Following the assessment, we'll collaborate with you to develop an actionable plan and a system for ongoing milestone tracking. This ensures clear accountability and progress towards your business goals.

Professional Coaching by Food Industry Experts

Members are matched with mentors from MCE’s Maine Mentor Network based on individual company needs. Our mentor network includes experts in the food industry with private sector experience including business development capacities in: the natural products and specialty food sectors, mass grocery and consumer packaged goods (CPG), e-commerce, convenience and big box stores, foodservice distribution networks, food & beverage marketing and social media, compliance and finance, among other fields.

Access to Technical Assistance Funding & Connection to Additional Fee-based Consultant Support

MCE will provide up to $2,000 in Technical Assistance funding for projects identified through the business assessment process and will aid in sourcing any contracted expertise needed beyond the general Maine Mentor Network base coaching and mentoring.

Education & Networking

MCE hosts relevant webinars and workshops featuring speakers with expertise in the grocery, retail, e-commerce and foodservice industry sectors. Most webinars are recorded and can be watched "on demand".

One of the most valued benefits of joining the Cultivator program is the internal networking that takes place among the participating companies. Cultivator’s Workshops and Business Roundtables allow companies to develop meaningful business relationships with like-companies in Maine, share resources & contacts and learn best practices for success in the food sector.

Participants will receive increased exposure to the business community through program marketing, networking events, and the bi-annual Showcase Event. Our bi-annual showcase attracts distributors, retail buyers, investors and press and will take place in 2026!

Timeline & Eligibility

he Cultivator program is a year-long commitment, and we accept applications year-round. If your company operates within the food, beverage, aquaculture, or agriculture sector and meets the following criteria, we encourage you to apply:

* You have a proven value-added product.

* You have a scalable business model.

* You are ready to grow and scale.

In addition to these criteria, we conduct interviews to assess each company's willingness to learn and adapt.

Membership Cost

The Cultivator program offers remarkable value to businesses looking to scale and grow, and at an affordable price. Through our partnership with FocusMaine and the support of MCE’s generous sponsors, we offer this 12-month program at a reduced cost of $2500 per company.