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 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:
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
Machias: Pen & Cob Farm – Katherine Swann, Rime Farm – Lisa Dereszewski, Sew Fetch Dog Co – Caissie Roberts, Nautical Farms – Morgan-Lea Fogg
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
“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 16.
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. For more please visit www.mced.biz.
