The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs has begun accepting applications for its new startup accelerator program tailored specifically for food, beverage, and agriculture companies.
The organization will accept 10 companies into the 12-month program, dubbed Cultivator. Selected companies will spend the year receiving hands-on strategic assessments, mentoring, and access to professional resources, to help them overcome the specific challenges faced by specialty food and beverage companies. The program is sponsored by FocusMaine.
“There are many organizations in Maine that are focused on assisting startup companies,” Tom Rainey, the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs executive director, said in a statement. “Cultivator, however, is the first initiative focused specifically on helping food, beverage, and agriculture businesses scale-up – which presents an entirely different set of challenges and requirements.”
The organization hired Sue Hanson in January to lead the Cultivator program. She brings 20+ years of food
industry experience, including at Portland’s Barber Foods.
“There’s great potential for growth in Maine’s food and beverage economy. I’m excited to be a part of it
through the Cultivator program, and am eager to start working with selected companies to take their
businesses to the next level,” said Hanson.
The deadline to apply is March 18 with the program scheduled to begin in April. The 12-month
program will culminate in a showcase event in March 2019.
