The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) along with its partners, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College, and the Northern Maine Development Commission announced today the 38 businesses selected for the Top Gun 2024 Class. Beginning in 2009 with 12 companies, the Top Gun Program has proudly worked with over 340 Maine entrepreneurs across the state to launch and grow their startups.
The competitive selection process included completing an online application and pitching their business at an interview. Over the course of the 15-week program, staff and mentors will guide participants through the “hands-on” training and group learning exercises taught by subject matter experts in finance, business and marketing.
MCE is pleased to announce this year’s group of Top Gun businesses and entrepreneurs:
Portland
Balanced Card Sorts – Anush Hansen
BlackTravel Maine – Lisa Jones
Bonsie Skin to Skin Babywear – Anna Turcotte
Climate Resources Group – Sam Milton
Go Natural English – Gabrielle Wallace
Kili Organics – Juliana Tebbetts
Lifted Blends – Devon Lathrop
Marcel Selemani – Marcel Selemani
Squad 10 Medical Fitness Center – Sarah Spencer
The Pain Changer® – Katie Wrigley
Vitalo Health – Mike R Mfashingabo
WOWSpace Design – James Leslie
Waterville
AIM Academy Inc. – Derek Session
Concepta Jones – Concepta Jones
Scrap Dogs Compost – Davis Saltonstall
Watermelon Pie – Kachina Miller
Watts Works – Nick Watts
Machias
Pen & Cob Farm – Katherine Swann
Rime Farm – Lisa Dereszewski
Sew Fetch Dog Co – Caissie Roberts
Ellsworth
AFR – Benjamin Pyles
Farm & Fish – Kate Pilotte
Salt Air Properties LLC – Amanda Look
Houlton
Automated Waste and Recycling, Inc. – Charles J Amara
Caribou Painting Company – James Dempsey
Chapped Hide – Suzanne Belle Hiltz
LYFT – Jack Westfall
The Maine Bean & Tea – PattiJo Thompson
WAVED Medical LLC – Kendra Batchelder
Lewiston/Auburn
Alchemize Coach – Christine O’Connell
DeltaCom Coffee – John Nelson
Garden Bevy – Sarah Chadburn
Glendarragh Farm Lavender – Lorie Costigan
MAC’s Gourmet Popcorn – Erika Moore
Nor’Easter Oyster Co. – Sean Corcoran
Sovereign Women’s Wellness LLC – Shea Donovan
Upta Maine – Shaun Hadlock
“The 2024 group of Top Gun entrepreneurs is our most industry diverse group yet”, said Top Gun Program Manager, Laurie Johnson. “With the program’s expansion to Maine’s Northern and Downeast regions, the participants are a great representation of Maine’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.”
Top Gun is sponsored and supported by the Maine Technology Institute, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Bangor Savings Bank, partner economic development organizations, 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 on May 16th 2024.
About Maine Center for Entrepreneurs:Established in 1997, MCE’s mission is to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine, by providing the training, connections, coaching and mentors they need to commercialize and grow their ideas, products and services so that their companies will drive the growth of Maine’s economy. Over its 25+ year history, the organization has accelerated the growth of hundreds of businesses, and established a mentor network of over 250 members. Please visit www.mced.biz.