The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs recently announced the 35 companies selected to participate in its 2018 Top Gun startup-training program.

The Top Gun program has been around since 2009, growing from a single class in Portland to four cohorts throughout the state. This year cohorts will convene in Portland, Bangor, Brunswick, and the Lewiston/Auburn regions. Last year, a cohort was located in Rockland, but it has been replaced this year with the Brunswick class, which will be the first industry-specific cohort in the program’s history. In partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs created a Top Gun program in Brunswick tailored specifically for aquaculture businesses.

Entrepreneurs accepted into the four-month Top Gun program, which has already begun, will meet weekly for several hours to work on their businesses, meet with mentors, and learn about best practices for scaling a business. The program will culminate in the Top Gun Showcase event in late May or early June where a few finalists will pitch their businesses before a live audience. The Maine Technology Institute is providing a grand prize of $25,000—up from last year’s $10,000 award— to the winner.

“This year’s class is made up of an impressive mix of company founders that all share the common goal of growing a successful business here in Maine,” said Tom Rainey, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs.

Following are the 35 companies (and 37 entrepreneurs) accepted into the 2018 class, arranged by region.

Portland

Hannah Semler and Kelin Welborn – FarmDrop
Meghan Carey – Co·amplify
Kristel Hayes – Fibher, LLC
Matthew Rideout – Strict Chef
Zachary Poole – The Maine Brew Bus
Walter Beesley – JUDGED Gear LLC
Mary (Melissa) Cott – Home Care Business Services
Kim Ortengren – Wallace James Clothing Company
Henry Gilbert – Back40
Erica Schmitz – Schmitz Studios, LLC d/b/a MyBodyModel

Bangor

Rebeckah Kay Perry – Queen City Arts
Terry Cross – Armaid
Melissa Greene – About Face
Joanne Steenberg – The Love Card
Radhakrishna Jamadagni
Mick Delargy – Rx Option, Inc.

Brunswick (aquaculture-focused cohort)

Fiona de Koning – Hollander & de Koning
Matthew Moretti – Bangs Island Mussels
Jonathan Turcotte – Glidden Point Oyster Company
Jordan Kramer – Winnegance Oyster Farm
Lane Hubacz – Basket Island Oyster Company
Amanda Moeser – Lanes Island Oyster Co.
Ben Hamilton – Love Point Oysters, LLC
Michael and Mark Gaffney – Eros Oyster of Robinhood Cove
Sean Bergen – Sustainable Seafood Sales, LLC
Brendan Parsons – Damariscotta River Distribution
Peter Rand – Tasteful Tours (possible name)
Dillon Shaw – Dewey’s Shellfish LLC

Lewiston/Auburn

Kshanti Greene – Wily Desert Labs, LLC
Michele Gilfoil – Planet Botanicals
Denise Dumont-Bernier – Occupational Medical Consulting (OMC Wellness Works Division)
Hannah Weddle – BackLot Software Company, LLC
Kevin Morin – PoMo & Co., LLC
Christopher G. Poirier – Maine Energy Pros, Inc.
Ashley Lenz – Ocean Lotion, LLC DBA Healing Harbors