Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

March 18, 2019

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs to expand Cultivator program in 2019

Photo / Tim Greenway Tom Rainey and Sue Hanson from the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. The center is taking applications for its 12-month cultivator program.

The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs is taking applications for its 12-month Cultivator program to help food, beverage and agricultural businesses keen to scale up, as it prepares to “graduate” its first 10-member cohort.

The program started with seven companies last April, then added three more in June. All 10 will be feted at a free showcase event on March 28 at O’Maine Studios in Portland.

The 2019 group consists of Belle Cove, Bangs Island Mussels, Commonwealth Poultry Co, Crown O’Maine Organic Cooperative, Mousam Valley Mushrooms, North Spore, Two Fat Cats Bakery, Vena’s Fizz House and Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections.

The program, open to competitively selected scalable companies, includes an initial business assessment, action plan, coaching and mentoring, access to consultant support and industry-focused workshops and event throughout the 12-month period.

Applications for the next cohort are now open through March 23, though that may be extended depending on demand, according to Sue Hanson, the Cultivator program manager.

She also said that in 2019, the program will welcome two groups of 10, one set to kick off in April and another in September, essentially doubling the number of participating businesses.

Tom Rainey, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, told Mainebiz last year that the Cultivator program aims to help startups that are farther along get to the second stage of growth, and the required mindset.

“What we’re trying to do is help these companies that have been in the start-up mode shift gears and thinking more like a scalable business,” he said.

Sign up for Enews

Related Content

0 Comments

Order a PDF