Applications are being accepted for Top Gun, a Maine entrepreneurship acceleration program.
Applications are open to Maine startup companies across all industry sectors in the regions of Portland, Lewiston/Auburn and Waterville.
The program has helped more than 350 startups since 2009, according to a news release from the Portland-based Maine Center for Entrepreneurs and its partners, the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation and the Lewiston Auburn Metro Chamber.
Top Gun fast-tracks the progress of Maine’s most promising early stage, high-growth potential companies through a combination of learning sessions, mentoring and networking. The highly selective program will accept up to 36 companies, with eight to 12 companies in each of the 2023 locations: Portland, Lewiston/Auburn and Waterville.
“Our Top Gun 2023 Program will bring together the best parts of virtual learning mixed with in-person workshopping and networking. The team has been working over the summer with industry experts and program mentors to challenge and refine the curriculum, resulting in a more robust and relevant startup growth program,” said Program Manager Laurie Johnson.
In addition to submitting a short online application, prospective companies will be required to submit a pitch deck and present to an interview committee in their preferred location.
The program will conclude with regional pitch events, where the top two finalists in each region will move on to compete in the Statewide Top Gun Showcase for a $25,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Maine Technology Institute.
Top Gun 2023 applications are open until Wednesday, Nov. 30.
For more information and to view the application, visit mced.biz/top-gun or email Johnson at [email protected].
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