From tempeh to technology: Top Gun names 32 startups to 2023 lineup
File Photo / Kevin Fahrman
From left, Laurie Johnson and Tom Rainey of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs present last year's $25,000 Top Gun prize to Bernard Hidier of Finsulate.
From tempeh to technology startups, the Top Gun program has picked its next class of 32 Maine businesses for this year’s program.
The program aims to help entrepreneurs take their business to the next level through hands-on training, connections, coaching and mentorship.
Top Gun is run by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs in partnership with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College.
From its start with 12 startups in 2009, Top Gun has worked with more than 300 Maine entrepreneurs to launch, grow and scale their companies. This year's lineup was announced Thursday.
"The industries represented in this year's Top Gun class are as varied and dynamic as Mainers themselves," Laurie Johnson, Top Gun's program manager, told Mainebiz. "We have accepted entrepreneurs from the creative, tech and health care sectors as well as a great selection from the food, aquaculture and fishing industries."
"Creating an environment where entrepreneurs from different industries have the opportunity to interact [and] share ideas and solutions makes for a richer learning experience for all," she added.
Top Gun is sponsored and supported by the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, partner economic development organizations, as well as by local businesses, corporate and nonprofit sponsors and dozens of volunteer advisors and mentors around the state.
Additionally, MTI will provide a $25,000 cash prize to be awarded at a final statewide showcase pitch-off to be held in May. Last year's pitch competition was won by Dutch cleantech startup Finsulate.
As is the case with each cohort, entrepreneurs for the 2023 lineup went through a rigorous and competitive selection process that included pitching their business and one-on-one interviews.
Before this year's program starts in early February, participants will be matched with mentors. Then, over the following 15 weeks, staff and mentors guide participants through hands-on, practical training and group learning exercises taught by experts.
2023 Top Gun class
Lewiston/Auburn
- A & I, Ibrahim Mohamed and Abdikadir Hassan
- Activate Funding, Kathryn Dutile
- Botanical Kitchen, Karina Hines
- FKL Cleaning Service and Sells, 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
- 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 Co., Bethany Field
- Ocean Farm Supply, Erin Adams
- Orange Bike Brewing Co., 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
- 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 Co. LLC, Matthew Quinn
- The Framemakers, Ames Cyrway
- The TERN Design Studio, David Schinhofen
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