Jennifer Scism and David Koorits, co-founders of Good To-Go, receive a $50,000 check on June 6, 2017, for winning the fifth annual Launchpad competition.

In its second time on the finals stage, Good To-Go has won the fifth annual Launchpad startup pitch competition and its $50,000 prize.

The Kittery-based company, which makes dehydrated meals designed to give hikers and other outdoor adventurers gourmet meals on the trail, was founded by husband-wife team Jennifer Scism and David Koorits. Scism is a chef and co-owner of Annisa, a restaurant in New York’s Greenwich Village. The gourmet angle in its dehydrated meals is apparent with its diverse flavors, which range from Indian Vegetable Korma to Bibimbap, a Korean rice dish.

“We are thrilled,” Koorits tells Maine Startups Insider. “We came back much more prepared and knowing a lot more about our business, especially growing it. It feels like a validation for all the hard work all of our 18 employees do. It is not just Jen and myself. Lastly, it is great to get the recognition here in Maine.”

Koorits said they will use the $50,000 to purchase a second dehydrator to double the company’s production.

The company has grown rapidly the last few years, posting a reported 600% increase in sales between 2014 and 2015, according to a news release the company sent out last fall announcing a major expansion that added 3,700 sq. ft. of production space to its facility. Koorits said at the time that the company was on pace to increase its sales another 400% in 2016.

Good To-Go joins previous Launchpad winners: Flowfold in 2013, Pika Energy in 2014, Bixby & Co. in 2015, and Fluid Farms in 2016.

Gorham Savings Bank created Launchpad in 2013 as a way to support early-stage companies.

The other four finalists who pitched at Tuesday night’s event, held at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, were:

  • Jellux, from Saco, produces year-round “plug-and-play” marine and outdoor lighting that the average homeowner can install.
  • North Spore, based in Westbrook, produces gourmet mushrooms and spawn for both retail and commercial use.
  • STARC Systems, located in Brunswick, has developed a temporary containment system that prevents debris and noise from disseminating throughout an occupied building during construction or renovation.
  • UniteGPS of Portland has leveraged GPS to create CrossWalk, an app that helps parents and students know when the school bus will arrive each day.

The bank also awarded an Emerging Ideas Award, and its $10,000 prize, to American Unagi, a Maine company that harvests glass eels and raises them to market size. The Emerging Ideas Award is given to a company chosen from the remaining applicant pool once the five finalists have been selected.