WATERVILLE, Maine – Sept. 10, 2026 – Dirigo Labs, the innovation and entrepreneurship arm of the Central Maine Growth Council, today announced the founders selected for its 2026 Dirigo Launch Incubator. Following record application interest and one of the most competitive applicant pools in program history, Dirigo Labs has expanded this year’s cohort to accommodate more founders than originally planned, reflecting both the growing demand for entrepreneurial support and the strength of innovation emerging across Maine.
Designed for entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of company creation, Dirigo Launch helps founders validate ideas, engage with customers, refine business models, and develop the skills needed to transform concepts into viable ventures. This year’s expanded cohort represents a diverse cross-section of Maine’s economy, with founders working across artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and other innovation-driven industries.
“Not only did Dirigo Labs receive a record number of applicants for this program, we also saw a record number from central Maine specifically. This is a strong indicator that entrepreneurship is growing in central Maine and we’re glad to be able to support these local companies as they grow,” said Jeff Frank, program manager of Dirigo Labs. “Expanding the cohort allows us to serve more entrepreneurs while maintaining the hands-on mentorship and customer discovery focus that makes Dirigo Launch successful.”
The 2026 cohort reflects both the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging in Central Maine and the growing appeal of the Dirigo Launch Incubator across the state. The majority of participants are founders from the Mid-Maine region, reinforcing Dirigo Labs’ commitment to developing local talent, supporting homegrown businesses and strengthening the region’s innovation economy. At the same time, the expanded cohort includes entrepreneurs from communities across Maine, bringing diverse perspectives, expanding collaboration opportunities, and strengthening connections between the state’s emerging innovation hubs.
The cohort’s sector alignment is particularly noteworthy. Many participating companies operate within industries identified as strategic priorities for Maine’s innovation economy, including biotechnology, bio-manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other high-growth technology sectors. This alignment creates opportunities for collaboration with statewide innovation partners while supporting long-term economic development goals.
“Entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for creating high-quality jobs, retaining talent, and building economic resilience,” said Garvan D. Donegan, president and CEO of the Central Maine Growth Council. “What excites us about this cohort is not just the number of founders, but the breadth of expertise represented. We’re seeing entrepreneurs tackle challenges in sectors critical to Maine’s future while choosing to build their companies here. That’s exactly the type of innovation ecosystem we are working to cultivate.”
Dirigo Labs is a Waterville, Maine-based startup accelerator and a program of the Central Maine Growth Council. With a mission to grow the greater Waterville area’s innovation economy, Dirigo Labs supports entrepreneurs across the founder journey from the idea-stage Dirigo Launch Incubator to its growth-focused accelerator programming through mentorship, structured curriculum, connections to capital and access to federal SBIR/STTR resources. The Dirigo Labs ecosystem brings together founders, mentors, investors, academic institutions and economic development partners to strengthen Maine’s entrepreneurial pipeline. To learn more, visit dirigolabs.org.
Media Contact:Jeff FrankProgram Manager, Dirigo LabsCentral Maine Growth Counciljeff@centralmaine.org207-530-6053