Programs

Re-energizing Maine’s Entrepreneurial Community

In the Fall 2009, Top Gun (an entrepreneurial development program of MCED) accepted 12 entrepreneurs seeking early-stage mentoring and assistance with transforming their high-potential ideas into high-growth businesses. During the early days of Top Gun, certain realities quickly became apparent. The first thing learned was that the need for early-stage seed capital and business development assistance was and is far greater than the capacity of any one organization to serve. Another phenomenon experienced was the interest around social connectivity between the different entrepreneurs and groups such as angel investors, venture capitalists, business mentors and service providers that often must come together to build great companies. From sources of funding to professional service firms, there was a significant interest within the region for people to connect and network around a community of common entrepreneurial interest. All they needed was a reason to connect and a group to provide context for connecting.

By the end of Top Gun’s first class, it was clear that the region would benefit from a resource that could expedite connectivity between these diverse groups, while simultaneously elevating the level of activity and visibility of the participants. MCED is dedicated to providing education, resources and a community to entrepreneurs of early-stage ventures. As the hub of entrepreneurship in southern Maine, MCED helps connect entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, state and federal agencies, educational institutions, students and sponsoring service providers around issues of early-stage venture development.