Top Gun accelerator program unveils 2021 class as format stays virtual
Photo / Tim Greenway
Tom Rainey, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, and Sue Hanson, the center’s program manager, photographed in 2019 at their Portland office.
The Portland-based Maine Center for Entrepreneurs on Thursday said it had selected 32 businesses across the state for the 2021 version of its Top Gun business accelerator program.
This year's group consists of businesses from Bangor, Portland, Lewiston and Waterville, representing a wide range of enterprises from food and foodie tours to health care and wellness.
Besides working with a mentor and getting insights into finance, business law, marketing and other aspects of business development from experts leading group learning exercises, each participant will have the chance to compete for a $25,000 cash prize.
The prize, funded by the Maine Technology Institute, will be awarded at a final statewide showcase pitch-off in May.
Tom Rainey, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, told Mainebiz that participants were selected out of 38 applications that had come in.
"What is surprising is the fact that we continue to have such strong interest in all of our programs despite the global pandemic and the fact that we cannot meet in person for the time being," he said.
He noted that all of the classroom programming and mentors sessions have moved online, and that organizers have found new ways to keep the personal interaction and networking component that are so valuable to participants. That includes virtual breakout rooms and one-on-one exercises.
"We moved everything online back in March with our 2020 cohorts, and it went surprisingly well with most remaining in the program until our final showcase pitch-off event," he said.
Since its launch in 2009, Top Gun has helped more than 200 entrepreneurs across the state take their businesses to the next level.
Innovation on several fronts
Asked about business innovation during COVID by applicants for 2021, Rainey told Mainebiz that many had mentioned the lockdown as a catalyst for either starting a new business or a business plan.
He also said the online approach will make for a better experience for all Top Gun participants.
"The silver lining is our ability to connect our regional cohorts of companies to each other in a way that didn't happen before, when each region operated more independently," he said. "We can more efficiently share talent and resources."
As an example, he said that an outstanding subject matter expert can address and benefit the whole class, rather than just the region that recruited the speaker.
A full list of 2021 Top Gun participants is available online.
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