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February 25, 2015

Deadline nears for $30K startup contest

File PHOTo / Peter Van Allen Kate McAleer, founder of Rockland-based Bixby & Co.

The deadline for Gorham Savings Bank’s third annual LaunchPad Competition is right around the corner, giving Maine startups a few more days to sign up for a chance to win $30,000.

The deadline is March 1, the bank said in a Monday press release. The bank said the competition is for businesses seeking to grow and entrepreneurs working on a new product or service. Past LaunchPad winners are also eligible.

Applicants must submit a business idea that will be assessed by a panel of judges and a subsequent round of online votes through the bank’s website.

Bixby & Co., a Rockland-based maker of organic chocolate and nutrition bars, won the prize last year, beating four other finalists out of 130 total applicants. The company’s founder, Kate McAleer, said at the time that the funds would allow her to buy melting tanks and equipment for more efficient refrigeration. McAleer was named in Mainebiz’s Next List later that year.

Pika Energy, a Gorham-based maker of home wind turbines and wind-solar hybrid systems, won in the contest’s first year. At the time, the company said the funds would help it move into a commercial facility to further develop its products.

The live competition, where the winner will be named, is scheduled for June 18.

Read more

Turbine maker links wind and solar with new technology

Pika takes $30K in Gorham Savings competition

Chocolate maker Bixby & Co. wins $30K startup prize

Organic ingredients, organic growth for Bixby chocolate bars

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