How did Top Gun start?

I usually don't write blog posts, but I'm excited about Top Gun applications opening today. A number of people have asked me the story behind Top Gun -- so I decided to tell it here. You can apply for Top Gun here and view the schedule of important dates for the program are here.

It all started November 12, 2008 when the Office of Innovation convened some of the economic development leaders in the state to explore the creation of a leadership and entrepreneurial development program that would theoretically match up to 10 high-growth potential entrepreneurs with best-in-class training, resources and mentors. At the time, I had just assumed the position of Director at MCED in July and was really wet behind the ears in the world of economic development.

This was simply a brainstorming session to take a look at what another program - KTEC Pipeline had created in Kansas. As I listened to the description of the KTEC program, I remember asking the consultant who helped develop it “is this similar to the Navy’s Top Gun program for its top aviators?” Of course he confirmed it was and the name stuck with me.

I don’t know if I was the only one, but I decided that Maine needed a program like KTEC Pipeline and that I wanted to create Top Gun for Maine. So, I decided I was going to do just that. Now, I just needed the support of the private sector in Maine to rally around the idea.

I began by asking people I respected “what’s missing from the current offering, what they would find of benefit?” I was told that companies were unprepared for the rigors of a start-up, lacking in managerial talent to execute their plan, and unprepared when it came to presenting their business model to potential sources of capital. In effect, they didn’t know what they didn’t know.

There was also a question of the quality and quantity of Maine based businesses to invest in. I remember being told that if we could create a program that addressed those issues, then we would have a successful program deemed worthy of support and recognition. That’s not to say the goal of the program was to get funding for its participants. It wasn’t. The goal has always been to develop the entrepreneur, who will, in-turn develop our states future innovative businesses – thus attracting talent and capital.

Being new to this world of economic development, somewhat strong minded and determined to make a difference, I approached eleven individuals who I wanted to help me create this program. I then met with the Maine Technology Institute in early February 2009 and Applied for a Cluster Feasibility grant later that month. Our challenge was to demonstrate that there was strong private and investor support, as well as strong support from the entrepreneur’s themselves, both existing and prospective, for such a program. I remember being told “the key will be getting meaningful private sector support”.

On the heels of this meeting, two early supporters - Matt Burns and Lib Butler organized a breakfast meeting with a dozen local influential’s to discuss the need for a program like Top Gun. I was encouraged by this initial showing of outreach and support. There was just some doubt that we could pull it off. Questions remained: “Were there really enough Top Gun caliber candidates in the state? Could we really find the support in the way of mentors and service providers? How would the program succeed where others had failed?”

We were given the opportunity to develop and pilot the program in March and awarded a Cluster Feasibility award for $50k. Without their belief that this kind of program had to be given a chance, Top Gun would not have been possible. Thank you to the Maine Technology Institute.

In the summer of 2009, with the help of a committed advisory board, I began meeting with the entrepreneur and professional community and asked them to collaborate with us in supporting the launch of Top Gun in September 2010. The results were incredible. We received huge support from an amazing list of experienced entrepreneurs willing to act as mentors. In total, over 80 individuals and organizations elected to materially support Top Gun in some meaningful way.

That’s how Top Gun began. Applications open for Top Gun 2010 today: May 03, 2010 and the program starts in Aug 2010. If you’re an innovative entrepreneur, you should consider applying here.