Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Announces 2026 Top Gun Showcase Winner at the Maine Entrepreneurs Summit

(Portland, ME) On Tuesday, May 12th, six Maine start-up companies from across the

state went before a panel of judges and offered their best pitches, hoping to win a

$25,000 prize to help build their business. The Top Gun Showcase capped the

Maine Entrepreneurs Summit, a day focused on learning, connecting and

celebrating Maine’s entrepreneurs. This year’s finalists had five minutes to share

their story in front of judges and a live and virtual audience of over 300 at Hannaford

Hall at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.

Panelists Rick Flagg of Norway Savings Bank, Susan Ruhlin from the LA Metro Chamber

and Sam Fratoni from the Maine Angels judged pitches on business scalability, feasibility,

innovation, and presentation.

The winning company, Saco Bay Sea Farms, founded by Michael Scannell and Nick Poulin, is

developing Maine’s first plug-and-play aquaculture coworking space. The company’s innovative

model allows new farmers to rent farm space to test aquaculture practices at a fraction of the

time and cost typically required. The farm will feature a one-of-a-kind catenary array, a new

aquaculture support vessel, and on-demand employees with extensive aquaculture experience.

Competing pitchers included:

Fiddlehead Life - A lifestyle and education brand.

klimm - A sustainable, functionable luxury breast pump bag design company.

Reuse - A coalition working to build a robust, integrated reuse ecosystem in Maine.

Saco Bay Sea Farms - Maine's first “plug-and-play” aquaculture coworking space.

Saltbox Tinned Fish Company - A Maine-based, premium tinned seafood company.

Timber Candle Bar - A hands-on candle-making experience.

“Today was a wonderful demonstration of Maine's entrepreneurial energy, celebrating the

innovation, ideas, and determination that will drive Maine’s future. With engaging workshops,

inspiring speakers, and an exciting pitch competition, the day highlighted the boundless

potential right here in our State. I am extremely proud of all the Top Gun companies.” remarked

Laurie Johnson, Top Gun Program Manager.

The Top Gun Showcase is the culmination of a 15-week program for competitively

selected entrepreneurs that combines mentoring with high-impact gatherings held

across the state. Since 2009, the Maine Center for Entrepreneur’s Top Gun

The program has assisted over 400 entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses.

The $25,000 Top Gun prize is sponsored by the Maine Technology Institute. Maine

Entrepreneurs Summit sponsors included: Norway Savings Bank, DECD, Starc Systems,

Machias Savings, Opus Consulting, Maine Community Bank among others.