Six Aroostook County entrepreneurs have a chance to propel their business to the next level as well as getting a stab at the $25,000 ultimate Top Gun prize.
For the first time since 2014, Aroostook County entrepreneurs were included in the state’s highly competitive Top Gun Program run by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs.
With the help of the Northern Maine Development Commission, a Top Gun 2024 partner, the program expanded into Houlton and Machias, making this the second time for Houlton and a first for Machias.
“The communities in the Aroostook Washington Economic Development District often receive less access to state business programs like Top Gun due to the geographical distance,” said Jacob Pelkey, entrepreneur program manager at the Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou.
Top Gun is a 15-week program that combines hands-on mentoring in weekly gatherings. The program runs annually from January to May, with the application process in late fall the previous year.
Launching a business for most entrepreneurs is challenging on many levels and about 20 percent fail in the first year, often running out of cash, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To help Maine start-ups succeed, Top Gun mentors guide program awardees through hands-on training and group learning exercises taught by experts in finance, business and marketing.
Pelkey said the outcomes are fast business growth, new connections and sustainable businesses.
Participants in the program are competitively selected and applicants are required to undergo an intense application process, followed by an in-depth panel interview, to ensure those selected are startups with the heart and determination to succeed, he said.
“They are promising, coachable entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable companies,” Pelkey said.
In addition to the 10 entrepreneurs selected in Houlton and Machias, there were 12 from Portland, five from Waterville, four from Machias, eight from Lewiston and Auburn and three from Ellsworth.
Fifty-nine business owners attended sessions for Houlton and Machias businesses, 20 applied, 13 were interviewed and 10 selected.
The Houlton/Aroostook County businesses selected are Out of Automated Waste and Recycling, Inc., Charles J. Amara; Caribou Painting Company, James Dempsey; Chapped Hide, Suzanne Belle Hiltz; LYFT Avenue, Jack Westfall; The Maine Bean & Tea, PattiJo Thompson and WAVED Medical LLC, Kendra Batchelder.
The popular Maine skincare company, Marin Skincare, that makes products out of lobster byproducts, was a former Top Gun participant. And success followed with L.L. Bean picking up the product.
Chapped Hide owner, Suzanne Belle Hiltz, who makes skin salves in Cary, is one of this year’s participants.
“I’m honored to be selected for this journey, grateful to the sponsors who paid for the classes,” Hiltz said. “I am like a sponge — ready to soak up all the knowledge I can to help improve my business.”
Following the 15-week education sessions, each entrepreneur will pitch their business in a formal presentation. One from each area will be chosen to pitch off in Portland at the Top Gun Showcase, slated for May 16.
In a live 5-minute pitch on stage, they will compete for the $25,000.
The real push of the Top Gun Program is the learning and what comes next for the businesses, said Pelkey.
“I hope we get more interest in the program, this year was a huge launch and a lot of good businesses stepped up,” Pelkey said. “I hope it continues and I hope the established institutions and businesses recognize the need for business programming here and are willing to step up and say they want more of this.”
Correction: The article has been amended to correct Jack Westfall’s business name.
