Author Archives: Laurie Johnson

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 […]

The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is excited to announce the 12 emerging Maine Leaders that have been selected to participate in the 2024 Visionary Leadership Program (VLP) . The Visionary LeadershipProgram was launched in October 2020 as an industry agnostic leadership development initiative for smallbusinesses. 2024 will bring the third cohort of Maine leaders together to […]

PORTLAND, Maine, February 2, 2022 – The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) announced today that it is partnering with Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB) to provide in-depth training and networking to outdoor industry product, service, and retail companies seeking to expand their businesses. The new ten-week program called MCE Compass, is made possible by a grant […]

January 17, 2022 Maine Center for Entrepreneurs and Partners Announce the 2022 Top Gun Class (Portland, ME) The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) along with its partners, the University of Maine, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College, announced today the 24 businesses selected […]

PHOTO / TIM GREENWAY Tom Rainey, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, says diversifying and having a back-up plan are important strategies for entrepreneurs. By Laurie Schreiber Tom Rainey is executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs in Portland. Through training, connections, coaching and mentorship, MCE helps innovators fill the gaps between their industry […]

August 10, 2021 (Portland, ME) – The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) announced today that Emily Lane, President, Blue Lobster Consulting, Vinalhaven, Maine, has been engaged to support a growing number of seafood and aquaculture clients in MCE’s food industry programs. The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) will expand services for Maine’ food industry by […]

A Letter from our Executive Director Summer is in full swing and things are hopping at MCE as we return to in-person meetings, and launch a number of new programs and partnerships. It’s going to be a busy summer! Before I go there, we’d like to congratulate all of the 28 Top Gun businesses that persevered and […]

Many Mainers are finding that their home state is becoming a strong and supportive location for getting their small businesses off the ground. “One reason for the growth of startups in Maine is the support from organizations like the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs,” says Sam Rogers, from News Center Maine. Watch the video here.

Maine’s growing bioscience industry will get some additional support with the formation of a new “bioscience cluster” initiative. Launched yesterday by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs in Portland, the initiative will aim to support bioscience innovators, entrepreneurs and startup companies involved in human and animal biology, pharmaceutical, marine and agricultural science, and healthcare innovations, according to […]

PORTLAND, Maine, May 27, 2021 – The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) along with its partners, the University of Maine, Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College announced today that The Cubby, from the Waterville Region cohort has won the annual Top Gun Showcase pitch […]