The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, along with its partners, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College, announced Thursday the 32 businesses selected for the Top Gun 2023 Class. Beginning with 12 companies in 2009, over the years, the Top Gun Program has worked with more than 300 Maine entrepreneurs to launch, grow and scale their companies, according to a news release from Laurie Johnson, program manager.
The entrepreneurs selected went through a rigorous and competitive selection process that included pitching their business and one-on-one interviews. Before the program begins in early February participating entrepreneurs will be matched with a mentor. Over the course of the 15-week program, staff and mentors will guide them through the “hands-on” training and group learning exercises taught by subject matter experts in finance, business.
MCE is pleased to announce this year’s group of Top Gun entrepreneurs:
Lewiston/Auburn
A & I indoor facility, Ibrahim Mohamed and Abdikadir Hassan; Activate Funding, Kathryn Dutile; Botanical Kitchen, Karina Hines; FKL Cleaning Service and Sells LLC, Filipe Lema; Handitech — Narcisse, Zo’o Evina; OneDot Solutions LLC., Katie Streeter; Shred Electric, Nick Planson; The Sleep NP LLC, Carrissa Hankins, Unbreakable Health and Fitness, Aaron Gould; and US Oceans LLC, Wayne Oxton.
Portland
Dottie & Finch, Caitlin Wooters and Lew Leathersich; EmTech Care Labs Inc., Aarabi Balasubramanian; ID. +Collective, April Elaine; Powell Maine Flag Company, Bethany Field; Ocean Farm Supply, Erin Adams; Orange Bike Brewing Company, Tom Ruff; Professional Healthcare Training, Heather Anne Fraser; ReachMyTeach, Helen Cohen; Badger Bagels, Christopher Franklin; Technica LLC, Charles James Kanozak; The Hungry Gains LLC, Alicia Valcaniant; and Tootie’s Tempeh, Sarah Speare.
Waterville
365 WorkPlace Wellness, Kevin Kaulback; awen, Brinn Flagg; Contemporary Climate Gallery, James LaMarca; Hootenanny Bread, Derek DeGeer; Must Be Nice Lobster LLC, Sadie Samuels; New England Karting Challenge, Jim Paulette; SymptomData Corp, Jason Heinze; The Cornville Christmas Tree Company LLC, Matthew Quinn; The Framemakers, Ames Cyrway; and The TERN Design Studio, David Schinhofen.
“We are so excited to work with this year’s group of Top Gun entrepreneurs,” said Johnson. “They are not only building businesses but also contributing to their communities, providing new opportunities and job creation in the State.”
Top Gun is sponsored and supported by the Maine Technology Institute, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, partner economic development organizations, and by local businesses, corporate and nonprofit 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 in May.
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