LaunchPad 2020 Is

Canceled

Thank you for understanding

We are exercising an abundance of caution to help ensure the health and safety of our customers, employees, and communities. Special thanks to the entrepreneurs and small business owners who have already invested their time into applying.

We look forward to seeing your applications in 2021.

2019 LaunchPad Winner, Alicia Menard and Jennell Carter of Casco Bay Creamery

EVERY BUSINESS COULD USE A LAUNCHPAD

Whether you've got a great business idea, you've just opened shop or you're looking to expand your operation, LaunchPad has evolved to help more businesses at more stages of development than ever before.

Countdown

This category includes businesses that have yet to generate revenue and are still in the process of developing their core offerings. They can range from those with a business idea or plan to those that have recently opened and are focused on developing products and services.

Ignition

Businesses that have recently started generating revenue. These businesses include any business that is open—whether online or in another format—and has recently started generating revenue.

Launch

More established businesses—those that are generating revenue sufficient for reinvestment in the operation. Whether through a new product or service, or by expanding the business in scale or location, these businesses are focused on building on their initial successes.

WE BELIEVE IN

EMERGING BUSINESSES

Congratulations to our 2019 Emerging Idea Award Winner, MyBodyModel, and all of our 2019 Emerging Idea finalists: Friday, Kinotek, Lobster Unlimited, and OpBox! Erica won a $10,000 grant along with $10,000 of in-kind business and marketing services donated by our generous partners (Creative Imaging Group, Grove Marketing, iBec Creative, Philbrook PR and pro-voke).

2019 Emerging Idea Award Winner, Erica Schmitz of MyBodyModel

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Maine's Future Entrepreneurs

Launchpad Junior

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?

Congratulations to Saco Middle School, 2019 LaunchPad Junior Champions! Gwyneth Nicholson and John Dostal’s 8th grade class took home 1st place with their business idea for PowerWalk, a cell phone case that restores battery life with kinetic energy.

Students from all three middle schools – Falmouth, Saco and Windham – did an incredible job with their presentations! The future of Maine’s small business community is looking very bright.

Junior Achievement logo

2019 LaunchPad Junior 1st Place, Saco Middle School

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