🔒6 startups named to Bangor ‘Boot Camp’ starting lineup

From a handcrafted screen door maker in Waldoboro to a Portland-based fast-casual breakfast concept with national growth ambitions, six Maine startups have been selected for the inaugural cohort of a new Bangor-based business accelerator. Dubbed Boot Camp, the program is a collaboration between the "Greenlight Maine" television series and UpStart Maine, a Bangor-based coalition of entrepreneur-support organizations. Boot Camp is designed specifically for Maine entrepreneurs who aspire to audition for "Greenlight Maine" with long-term business growth in mind. Throughout the program that is scheduled to run until November, participants will take part in structured workshops, one-on-one advising and direct connections with mentors and resources from various support organizations across Maine. Besides preparing founders for "Greenlight Maine," the program is designed to position their businesses for sustainable growth. “We are incredibly excited to work with these founders,” said Lisa Liberatore, UpStart Maine's program manager and a 2019 Mainebiz Next list honoree. “Each of these companies is poised for growth, and we can’t wait to connect them more deeply into Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem," she added. "By bringing together mentors and partners from across the state, we’re creating meaningful pathways for these businesses to scale, strengthen, and prepare for what comes next.”

Starting lineup

Members of the inaugural cohort include the following businesses: Bolero, Norway: Helps performing arts professionals make sense of their ticket data. Concepta Studio, Belfast: Cultural fusion brand offering curated, small-batch spice blends inspired by the South African Indian heritage of its founder.

Hand + Heart Gluten Free and Sweets & Co. Café & Bakery, Saco.

Oat Mode, Portland: Planned fast-casual eatery that aims to provide convenient, nutritious and customizable breakfast and light-meal options for busy, healthy-conscious consumers. Saco Bay Sea Farms, Saco: Developing a scalable, climate-resilient offshore aquaculture system for responsibly grown seafood, sea scallops, green sea urchins and sugar kelp. Wooden Screen Doors Co., Waldoboro: Manufacturer of handcrafted mahogany screen and storm doors that emphasize traditional Maine craftsmanship. The owners, Jennifer and Neil Gutekunst, also own Shaw & Tenney, an Orono-based maker of wooden oars, paddles, spars and boat hooks.