Since 2018, MCE has supported over 80 Maine food & beverage companies through our one-of-a-kind Food Accelerator Programs: Cultivator and MarketShare.

Receive expert guidance from industry leaders in grocery, retail, e-commerce and foodservice sectors and take advantage of our unique benefits along with other Maine food and beverage companies!

The MCE Difference

Experience

Both of our Food Accelerator Programs are run by Program Managers with 20+ years of real-life food industry experience who work directly and diligently with each company to understand their goals and help them reach their full potential.

In addition to our Program Managers, member companies also have access to over 75 food industry experts (and over 150 other business area experts) via our Maine Mentor Network.

Connect with Program Managers Janine Bisaillon-Cary, and Naomi Neville or Emily Lane, Seafood & Aquaculture Specialist, on Linkedin or learn more about them on our Team page.

Access to Industry Data & Resources

Through our current subscription to SPINS’ Satori and partnership with Nielsen, we have access to syndicated data across both Specialty & Natural Markets as well as Conventional Grocery Store and Big Box stores.  Our team of Data Analysts provide expert guidance, help you make sense of the data, and leverage it to position your products and grow your markets strategically. We also share food industry trends with our member companies via our multiple food association connections.

MCE continues to build its library of food industry resources including grocery/retail store listings by state, logistics and transportation contacts, marketing resources and more.   If we don’t have the resource you are looking for, we will find it!

Tactical Workshops, Webinars and Business Roundtables

Our food industry workshops are designed to provide real-time learning based on the needs of our member companies. Industry experts lead the workshops and provide real life examples, business solutions and the tools to help you succeed.  Our Business Roundtables present an opportunity to meet with other business founders and their teams – providing cross marketing, resource sharing, and business networking opportunities.

Partnerships & Connections

MCE partners with multiple industry associations and state organizations that offer additional support and funding opportunities to Maine’s food and beverage companies.  MCE provides members with relevant information on educational workshops, grants, regulatory and policy changes, and market development opportunities – connecting individuals with other organizations and programs that support Maine’s food/beverage industry.

What Program is Right for You?

Whether you’re just starting your food business, planning to scale up, or are expanding your market distribution, MCE has got you covered through each stage of your business.

Program
Member Company Type	Startup, early stage companies in any industry	Established food or beverage companies looking to scale-up	More mature food or beverage companies looking to expand markets regionally and/or nationally
Additional Eligibility Requirements	• Product or service must be past the idea stage • Pre- or post-revenue • Viable business model	• Preferred minimum $250k Revenue	• Preferred minimum $500k Revenue • Resources available to expand regionally and/or nationally at larger scale
Program Length	15 weeks (11 classes)	12 months	12 month annual subscription service
Areas Covered	• Business Basics including:  Marketing, Sales, Finance, Legal, Company Culture, Pitching	• Sales & Marketing • Finance, Operations • Business Management	• Sales & Marketing • Market Development     for Grocery, E-Commerce & Food Service • CPG Strategies for Retail Success
Deliverables/Value	• Cohort of companies • Workshops • Coaching & Mentoring from Industry & Subject Matter Experts	• Individual Company Assessment • Prioritized Strategic Action Plan & Tracking • Coaching & Mentoring from Industry & Subject Matter Experts • Workshops & Webinars	• Market Data and Trend Reports • Coaching & Mentoring from Industry & Subject Matter Experts • Workshops & Webinars • Emerge Annual Training Pass Membership

Our Member Companies

Our growing list of members represent Maine food companies across the state and across multiple food and beverage categories.  Join our dynamic group of innovative Maine companies and let us help you sustainably scale and develop your business and regional and national market presence.