Image: The FoodTech
Maine cohort with the
MCE team at the
Showcase.

PORTLAND, Maine, November 21, 2024 – Maine’s FoodTech innovators took center stage
at the FoodTech Maine Showcase on November 12, hosted by the Maine Center for
Entrepreneurs (MCE) at Pierce Atwood in Portland. The event celebrated the achievements of
six companies presenting their innovative solutions to challenges in food preservation,
logistics, sustainability, and community engagement.

Spotlight on Innovation

The showcase featured six Maine-based companies advancing the future of food through
technology and innovation:

● Green Geans: Improving food preservation with eco-friendly freeze-drying.
● mainelove: Partnering with breweries to create a sustainable canned water solution.
● Nor’Easter Oyster Co.: Modernizing shellfish processing with advanced storage
systems.
● Pen & Cob Farm: Showcasing Spruce Syrup, a specialty product from Maine’s native
trees.
● Ragged Coast Chocolates: Improving perishable logistics with predictive software.
● Watermelon Pie: Building connections through a digital recipe-sharing platform.
Funder Panel Offers Valuable Insights
Following the company presentations, a panel of funders provided feedback and shared
insights into scaling businesses and investment opportunities in food innovation. Panelists
included:
● John Soukas, Co-founder and CEO of Norfolk Green Ventures, offering a global
perspective on sustainable investment in food and aquaculture.
● Julie Viola, Senior Vice President at Gorham Savings Bank, bringing expertise in
small business funding and community investment.
● Joe Powers, Managing Director of Maine Venture Fund, sharing insights into early-
stage investment in Maine’s innovation economy.

Building Connections for the Future
“The FoodTech Maine Showcase perfectly captured the energy and collaboration needed to
advance food innovation in Maine,” said Jason Mitchell, FoodTech Maine Program Manager.
“It was exciting to see funders and entrepreneurs come together to shape the future of our
food system.”

Culmination of the FoodTech Maine Accelerator Program

The showcase marked the conclusion of MCE’s six-month FoodTech business accelerator
program, which is designed to support entrepreneurs leveraging technology to improve food
systems and sustainability. The program is led by the Steamboat Road Consulting team:
Jason Mitchell, Lydia Swann, and Alex Shapiro. Over six months, they provided hands-on
guidance to help participating companies refine their strategies and prepare for this pivotal
event.