10 student-led startups to compete in 'Greenlight Maine Collegiate Challenge'

Courtesy / Greenlight Maine Producer Kris Bridges is shown at the controls for "Greenlight Maine," the business-pitch TV show that begins its fourth season of a collegiate version later this month.

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By Renee Cordes

From an immersive online career platform to a mission-focused lifestyle brand for outdoor enthusiasts, 10 student-led startups have the green light to compete for fame and money in Season 4 of the "Greenlight Maine Collegiate Challenge."

The college edition of the TV business-pitch competition is set to begin airing Thursday, March 24, on Maine Public Television. Contestants will compete against each other for prizes of $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $7,500 for third place.

"Every year we continue to add more college entrepreneurs who are innovative, socially responsible and are considering growing their businesses in Maine," Julene Gervais, the show's producer and host, told Mainebiz. "We appreciate the collaboration with all the Maine colleges and universities, especially Thomas College for organizing and hosting the preliminary round, which included more than 35 students."

Besides Thomas College, this year's contestants include students from the University of New England, the University of Maine, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northeastern University's Roux institute in Portland, Colby College and College of the Atlantic.

Series sponsors include Bangor Savings Bank, Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development, Thomas College, Oakland college and technology park FirstPark, Martin's Point Health Care and Hannaford Supermarkets.

Contestants will be judged by Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation and economic development at the Central Maine Growth Council and a 2021 Mainebiz Next List honoree; Bangor Savings Bank's Melissa Marcaurelle; and Amy Lesure, a senior investment officer at Maine Technology Institute.

Last year's $10,000 grand prize winner was Thomas College student Jake Warn, who developed an online planner for snowmobilers called SledTRX.

Warn told Mainebiz this week that while his company wasn't able to release its service this year, the "Greenlight Maine" prize money was reinvested towards developing an iOS app Warn says he is "super-excited about."

His advice to this year's contestants: "Even when you don't like you have all the pieces yet, just keep moving," he says. "Just keep operating with what you have and looking for creative opportunities — they will come."

'Collegiate Challenge' Season 4 lineup

Here's a full list of Season 4 "Greenlight Maine Collegiate Challenge" participants; further details on the companies were not immediately available.

Ready Set Return: Mobile app for clinicians treating torn knee ligaments.
MammoWAVED: Breast cancer detection.
Real Time Reality Inc.: Software platform to stream real people as an authenticated replica of their physical selves into VR and AR worlds securely and anonymously over Blockchain.
Pair Technologies LLC: Crafter of intelligently designed accessories to pair with devices.
Mallard Entreprises: Provider of runway independent amphibious aircraft to connect people, cargo and services.
Goalivation: Video replay to analyze body movements and visual attachment for ice hockey goaltenders and coaches.
Wingspans: Immersive online career platform with more than 700 real-world stories about different professions.
HitList: Platform and network to connect people and services to each other.
Move Free: Mission-driven lifestyle brand for outdoor enthusiasts.
LiveBar: Nightlife and entertainment services locator app.