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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201chands-on\u201d training and group learning exercises taught by subject matter experts in finance, business and marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MCE is pleased to announce this year\u2019s group of Top Gun businesses and entrepreneurs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Portland Machias<\/strong> Ellsworth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n AFR – Benjamin Pyles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Farm & Fish – Kate Pilotte<\/p>\n\n\n\n Salt Air Properties LLC – Amanda Look<\/p>\n\n\n\n Houlton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Automated Waste and Recycling, Inc. – Charles J Amara<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caribou Painting Company – James Dempsey<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapped Hide – Suzanne Belle Hiltz<\/p>\n\n\n\n LYFT – Jack Westfall<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Maine Bean & Tea – PattiJo Thompson<\/p>\n\n\n\n WAVED Medical LLC – Kendra Batchelder<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lewiston\/Auburn DeltaCom Coffee – John Nelson<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garden Bevy – Sarah Chadburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glendarragh Farm Lavender – Lorie Costigan<\/p>\n\n\n\n MAC’s Gourmet Popcorn – Erika Moore<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nor’Easter Oyster Co. – Sean Corcoran<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sovereign Women’s Wellness LLC – Shea Donovan<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upta Maine – Shaun Hadlock <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe 2024 group of Top Gun entrepreneurs is our most industry diverse group yet\u201d, said Top Gun Program Manager, Laurie Johnson. \u201cWith the program\u2019s expansion to Maine\u2019s Northern and Downeast regions, the participants are a great representation of Maine\u2019s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>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\u00ae – Katie Wrigley
Vitalo Health – Mike R Mfashingabo
WOWSpace Design – James Leslie
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Waterville
<\/strong>AIM Academy Inc. – Derek Session
Concepta Jones – \u200b\u200bConcepta Jones
Scrap Dogs Compost – Davis Saltonstall
Watermelon Pie – Kachina Miller
Watts Works – Nick Watts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pen & Cob Farm – Katherine Swann
Rime Farm – Lisa Dereszewski
Sew Fetch Dog Co – Caissie Roberts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Alchemize Coach – Christine O’Connell<\/p>\n\n\n\n