(Portland, ME) The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) along with its partners, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College, announced today the 32 businesses selected for the Top Gun 2023 Class. Beginning with 12 companies in 2009, over the years, the Top Gun Program has worked with over 300 Maine entrepreneurs to launch, grow and scale their companies.
The entrepreneurs selected went through a rigorous and competitive selection process that included pitching their business and one-on-one interviews. Before the program begins in early February participating entrepreneurs will be matched with a mentor. Over the course of the 15-week program, staff and mentors will guide them through the “hands-on” training and group learning exercises taught by subject matter experts in finance, business.
MCE is pleased to announce this year’s group of Top Gun entrepreneurs:
Lewiston/Auburn
A & I indoor facility – Ibrahim Mohamed and Abdikadir Hassan
Activate Funding – Kathryn Dutile
Botanical Kitchen – Karina Hines
FKL Cleaning Service and Sells, LLC – Filipe Lema
Handitech – Narcisse Zo’o Evina
OneDot Solutions, LLC – Katie Streeter
Shred Electric – Nick Planson
The Sleep NP, LLC – Carrissa Hankins
Unbreakable Health and Fitness – Aaron Gould
US Oceans, LLC – Wayne Oxton
Portland
Dottie & Finch – Caitlin Wooters and Lew Leathersich
EmTech Care Labs, Inc. – Aarabi Balasubramanian
ID. +Collective – April Elaine Powell
Maine Flag Company – Bethany Field
Ocean Farm Supply – Erin Adams
Orange Bike Brewing Company – Tom Ruff
Professional Healthcare Training – Heather Anne Fraser
ReachMyTeach – Helen Cohen
Badger Bagels – Christopher Franklin
Technica, LLC – Charles James Kanozak
The Hungry Gains, LLC – Alicia Valcaniant
Tootie’s Tempeh – Sarah Speare
Waterville
365 WorkPlace Wellness – Kevin Kaulback
awen – Brinn Flagg
Contemporary Climate Gallery – James LaMarca
Hootenanny Bread – Derek DeGeer
Gigi Aea, Gigi Aea
Must Be Nice Lobster, LLC – Sadie Samuels
New England Karting Challenge – Jim Paulette
SymptomData Corp – Jason Heinze
The Cornville Christmas Tree Company, LLC – Matthew Quinn
The Framemakers – Ames Cyrway
The TERN Design Studio – David Schinhofen
“We are so excited to work with this year’s group of Top Gun entrepreneurs”, said program manager, Laurie Johnson, “they are not only building businesses but also contributing to their communities, providing new opportunities and job creation in the State”.
Top Gun is sponsored and supported by the Maine Technology Institute, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, partner economic development organizations, and by local businesses, corporate and non-profit sponsors and dozens of volunteer advisors and mentors around the state. Additionally, the Maine Technology Institute will provide a $25,000 cash prize to be awarded at a final statewide Showcase pitch-off to be held in May 2023.
About MCE:
MCE was established in 1997 to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing the training, connections, coaching and mentors. Over its 25-year history, the organization has accelerated the growth of hundreds of businesses and established a mentor network of over 240 members statewide.