From outdoor recreation to clean technology, the 12 startups named to the next cohort of the Dirigo Labs business accelerator in Waterville represent a wide range of industries.
The accelerator program, hosted at the Hathaway Creative Center, will offer a newly expanded curriculum with an emphasis on financial modeling.
Participating companies, named this week, include SnoYak, an Oakland-based maker of innovative sleds known as sit-skis, and Finsulate, a Portland-based cleantech company that won the 2022 Top Gun business-pitch contest.
“Each team brings a unique vision and innovative spirit that epitomizes the entrepreneurial drive we foster at Dirigo Labs,” said Susan Ruhlin, managing director of Dirigo Labs. “These startups represent not just the future of their respective industries, but also the vibrant potential of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region.”
Cohort members were selected based on each company’s stage of development, founder experience, potential to scale and industry relevance.
Participating founders are paired with a customized board of advisors drawn from Dirigo Labs’ extensive local and national mentor network.
In addition to personalized mentorship, teams will participate in workshops on topics including state and municipal incentives, public-private sector grants, intellectual property and capital strategy.
Startups in the 2024 cohort
- EmTech Care Labs
- Finsulate
- Aweni
- ClaimData
- Everything Seaweed
- New England Karting Challenge
- Alivo
- EzOut
- Perennial Renewables
- Lunadesk
- SnoYak
- Health for Mankind
Dirigo Labs operates under the Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by several organizations, academic institutions and investment firms. A cohort kickoff event is planned for Feb. 29 at the Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space in Waterville.