With So Much Ahead of You,

Wouldn't It Be Nice

To Have a Little Something Extra Behind You?

Founded in 2013, Gorham Savings Bank’s LaunchPad celebrates and supports Maine ingenuity, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The process is simple and straightforward, and the benefits of participating are many.

WATCH OUR VIDEOS
2014 LAUNCHPAD WINNER, KATE MCALEER, FOUNDER, BIXBY & Co.

Grand Prize: $50,000 Grant

The 2019 Grand Prize winner will receive a grant from Gorham Savings Bank to buy equipment, expand or acquire space, hire employees, fund product development or meet any other business need.

Emerging Idea Award

Once our panel of independent judges have selected the five finalists, who will pitch on-stage for this year’s LaunchPad grand prize, they will then select the Emerging Idea Award winner from all the remaining applicants. This additional prize includes a grant of $10,000, along with another $10,000 of in-kind business and marketing-related services! The winner will be announced at the live event.

HOW LAUNCHPAD WORKS

The goal of Gorham Savings Bank's LaunchPad is to help businesses. So we keep the application process as simple and straightforward as possible. At Gorham Savings Bank, we believe that anyone who’s out there pursuing their own small business deserves recognition and support. As such, we want to give as many small Maine businesses the chance to win as we possibly can.
April1

Deadline to Enter

Entering LaunchPad takes only an hour or two. No formal documentation is required, and you can start your application, then stop and save it for completion later. Applications must be completed and submitted by 5:00pm on April 1, 2019.

Entry deadline is Monday, April 1, 2019 at 5:00pm EDT

May10

Finalists selected and notified.

A team of independent, experienced, successful entrepreneurs and business leaders will review every completed application against criteria including viability, scalability, uniqueness, management and impact (of the grant). Those selected to advance will be notified on or before Friday, May 10, 2019.

May28

Finalist Orientation

All finalists will participate in a working session with the LaunchPad team to prepare you for the live event. This includes a walkthrough of the agenda and a review of requirements and best practices for your live presentation.

June4

Live event

All finalists will deliver a final pitch to, and then field questions from, a panel of three independent, experienced, successful business leaders in front of a live audience at USM’s Hannaford Hall in Portland. The Grand Prize award will be presented at the conclusion of the event.

Evaluation Criteria

The judges will score the presentations on the following criteria

Official Rules

  • Viability
  • Scalability
  • Uniqueness
  • Management
  • Impact
  • Presentation

ELIGIBILITY

The entry period for the 2019 competition starts on Friday, March 1, at 8:00am and ends on Monday, April 1 at 5:00pm. Legally registered, Maine-based businesses and/or legal residents of Maine age 18 or older can apply. Past LaunchPad applicants and finalists are also welcome to reapply. No formal business proposals or supporting documents are required. All finalists will deliver a live presentation on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at USM’s Hannaford Hall in Portland. The Emerging Idea Award and Grand Prize winners will be announced at the conclusion of the live event.