Skowhegan Savings Bank sponsors $25,000 in total prizes as Central Maine Growth Council celebrates five years of accelerator success and over $35 million in alumni capital raised.
WATERVILLE, Maine – June 04, 2026 – Latis Materials, a startup developing bio-derived carbon fiber materials and composites, won the fifth annual Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition on Thursday, May 28, claiming a $20,000 cash prize sponsored by Skowhegan Savings Bank.
The event builds on five years of strong results for the Dirigo Labs Accelerator, whose alumni have collectively raised $35.6 million in capital, generated nearly $17.4 million in sales, and served more than 18,000 customers across 126 alumni-launched products and services. Latis Materials joins a list of past winners that includes bluShift Aerospace, Croft, Finsulate USA, and Seascale.
The 2026 cohort of 12 companies worked across artificial intelligence, the bioeconomy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and the blue economy. Judges evaluated companies on capital strategy, team strength, potential for economic and community impact, storytelling, and innovation.
Cash prizes were distributed across three categories. Latis Materials received $20,000 as the Judges’ Pitch Prize winner. SobaSparkle received $2,500 as the Cohort Choice award winner, voted by the Dirigo Labs accelerator cohort founders, and Dooryard received $2,500 for the Audience Choice Award. These prizes were provided by Skowhegan Savings Bank, which has supported the Dirigo Labs program for five consecutive years.
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition and the entrepreneurs who are helping drive innovation and economic growth across Maine,” said Vicki Alward, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Skowhegan Savings. “Supporting initiatives like this aligns with our commitment to strengthening our communities and investing in workforce and economic development. Congratulations to this year’s winners and to all of the talented entrepreneurs who participated in this year’s cohort. We look forward to watching each of your businesses continue to grow and make an impact across our state.”
Co-founders and twin brothers Aidan and Will Salisbury launched Latis Materials after completing mechanical engineering degrees at the University of Maine. The company uses a byproduct of paper production to create carbon fiber yarn. This process produces the strength of traditional carbon fiber for a fraction of the cost, making it an affordable lightweight option for a range of applications.
“Being part of the Dirigo Labs accelerator has been an incredibly meaningful experience for us, and I’m grateful for the community of Maine founders we’ve had the chance to learn from and build alongside,” said Aidan Salisbury, co-founder of Latis Materials. “The support from the program, judges, and the state for innovative forest products is a strong vote of confidence in both our team and the future of this industry in Maine. While the funding helps accelerate our work scaling bio-derived materials, what matters most is the belief behind it. We plan to put the funds toward equipment for our small-scale manufacturing line so we can turn our prototypes into real products.”
“The 12 accelerator companies in Dirigo Labs Cohort 5.0 highlight the surging pace of innovation happening right here in downtown Waterville and across Maine,” said Garvan D. Donegan, president and CEO of the Central Maine Growth Council. “By bridging foundational sectors from the natural resources and wood products industries to information technology with cutting-edge initiatives in bio-manufacturing, biotech, artificial intelligence, and housing, our founders are actively driving the future of our state’s economy. What makes this year exceptional is also the sheer breadth of our Dirigo Labs community. With 33 companies engaging with Dirigo Labs since Q1, we are supporting our largest and most diverse portfolio of founders to date, representing local, regional, and statewide entrepreneurship. This group is attracting significant capital, creating new jobs across Maine, and deploying new exports into the global economy. By providing targeted support—whether scaling tech startups or empowering local businesses—we are securing the economic future of our region.”
“Central Maine has become a place where founders choose to build and that doesn’t happen by accident,” said Jeff Frank, program manager of Dirigo Labs. “It happens when entrepreneurs, capital, and community decide to bet on the same place at the same time. Dirigo Labs is here to keep that momentum going, and to make sure entrepreneurs in our state never have to ask whether Maine is the right place to turn their ideas into reality.”
The 2026 program was also made possible in part by Dirigo Labs’ Friends of Founders sponsors: Valley Beverage, One River CPAs, and the Center on Rural Innovation.
Video: Event Recording Here
Caption: Left to Right: Founder of SobaSparkle Karen Getz; Chief Operating Officer of Dooryard Melissa McHugh; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Skowhegan Savings Bank Vicki Alward; Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Latis Materials Aidan Salisbury. Photo Credit: Todd Hopkins Photography
Caption: Left to Right: Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending at Skowhegan Savings Bank Maggie Leone; Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Latis Materials Aidan Salisbury; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Skowhegan Savings Bank Vicki Alward. Photo Credit: Todd Hopkins Photography
About Dirigo Labs:Dirigo Labs is central Maine’s startup accelerator that closes the gap between technical traction and venture-scale fundraising for founders building in the bioeconomy, artificial intelligence, the blue economy, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Operated by the Central Maine Growth Council and based in Waterville, the program has supported alumni in raising $35.6 million in capital, generating nearly $17.4 million in sales, and serving 18,000 customers across 126 launched products. Learn more at www.dirigolabs.org.
About Skowhegan Savings Bank:Skowhegan Savings Bank has invested in Maine families, businesses, and communities for more than 150 years. An independent mutual savings bank headquartered in Skowhegan, the bank pairs competitive banking with a sustained commitment to local economic growth – including title sponsorship of the Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition since its founding. Learn more at skowhegan.com.
About Valley Beverage:Valley Beverage is a family-owned beverage distributor founded in 1974 and headquartered in Oakland, Maine, with a second facility in Lewiston serving central Maine and beyond.
About One River CPAs:One River CPAs is a Maine-based accounting firm founded in 1984, with offices in Oakland, Augusta, and Bath serving individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits across the state.
About the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI):The Center on Rural Innovation is a national nonprofit advancing economic prosperity in rural America by building digital economy ecosystems, deploying capital through its CORI Innovation Fund.
Twelve Maine founders will compete for $25,000 in cash prizes donated by Skowhegan Savings Bank. The event is free and open to the public.
Waterville, Maine – May 21, 2026 – Dirigo Labs, central Maine’s innovation hub created by the Central Maine Growth Council, will host its fifth annual Pitch Competition on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 5 to 8 p,m. at Greene Block + Studios in downtown Waterville. The capstone event of the 2026 Dirigo Labs Accelerator will bring twelve Maine founders to the stage to pitch live for $25,000 in cash prizes generously donated by Skowhegan Savings Bank. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.
Since its creation, Dirigo Labs Accelerator alumni have collectively raised $35.6 million in capital, generated nearly $17.4 million in sales, and served more than 18,000 customers across 126 alumni-launched products and services. The 2026 cohort joins a list of past Pitch Competition winners that includes bluShift Aerospace, Croft, Finsulate USA, and Seascale.
The 2026 cohort of twelve companies works across artificial intelligence, the bioeconomy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and the blue economy. This year’s founders are building everything from a portable underwater hydroelectric generator and a seafood cannery to AI platforms serving oncology and EV fleet management, and seaweed-based bioplastics designed to replace petroleum-based materials. Judges will evaluate companies on capital strategy, team strength, potential for economic and community impact, storytelling, and innovation.
2026 Dirigo Labs Cohort
Cash prizes will be distributed across three categories: a $20,000 Judges’ Pitch Prize, a $2,500 Founder’s Choice award voted by the cohort founders themselves, and a $2,500 Audience Choice award decided by audience voting on the night of the event. No company can win in more than one category.
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition and the entrepreneurs who are helping drive innovation and economic growth across Maine,” said Vicki Alward, EVP Chief Operating Officer of Skowhegan Savings. “Supporting initiatives like this aligns with our commitment to strengthening our communities and investing in workforce and economic development. We’re excited to see the ideas and talent that continue to emerge through programs like Dirigo Labs.”
“The May 28 Pitch Competition is a celebration of what this cohort has built over sixteen weeks, but it is also a celebration of the ecosystem that made the work possible,” said Jeff Frank, program manager of Dirigo Labs. “Central Maine is becoming a place where founders choose to build, and that does not happen by accident. Skowhegan Savings Bank has anchored the Pitch Prize for five consecutive years with its sponsorship. We are grateful to the dozens of mentors and presenters across the state who donate their time and wisdom to this program, and we hope the community will join us on the 28th to meet this year’s founders and celebrate the next era of innovation in Maine.”
The 2026 program is also made possible by Dirigo Labs’ Friends of Founders sponsors, whose support keeps the accelerator running year round: Valley Beverage, One River CPAs, and the Center on Rural Innovation.
About Dirigo Labs:Dirigo Labs is central Maine’s innovation engine, a 16-week accelerator that closes the gap between technical traction and venture-scale fundraising for founders building in the bioeconomy, artificial intelligence, the blue economy, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Operated by the Central Maine Growth Council and based in Waterville. Learn more at www.dirigolabs.org.
About Skowhegan Savings Bank:Skowhegan Savings Bank has invested in Maine families, businesses, and communities for more than 150 years. An independent mutual savings bank headquartered in Skowhegan, the bank pairs competitive banking with a sustained commitment to local economic growth, including title sponsorship of the Dirigo Labs Pitch Competition since its founding. Learn more at skowhegan.com.
2026 Pitch Competition Judges:
Waterville, ME – December 11, 2025 – Dirigo Labs, the venture growth program operated by the Central Maine Growth Council, hosted its Dirigo Innovation Challenge Demo Day this fall bringing together founders completing the Dirigo Launch Incubator as well as finalists from its Back of the Napkin Challenge for a dynamic evening of live pitches, networking, and venture showcases.
Back of the Napkin Challenge
Student finalists from Kennebec Valley Community College, Colby College, and Thomas College pitched their business ideas through short videos meant to display their idea to the panel of judges as simply as if it were on the back of a napkin. Ideas included home weatherization packages, rural transportation solutions, financial management, STEM training, and HR consulting services. Through the 3rd annual Back of the Napkin Challenge, students learn to identify real-world problems and generate business solutions. The process hopes to teach entrepreneurship and build confidence to bring these ideas to life. The panel of judges then distributed $1,750 in awards so that each student went home with a cash prize.
Back of the Napkin Challenge Awards
“This collaboration among Colby, KVCC, and Thomas strengthens the pipeline of new ideas in our region,” said Kim Kennedy, Faculty in the Business Administration Department at KVCC. “When students across campuses innovate together, it elevates the whole community.”
“The energy around entrepreneurship in central Maine is unmistakable,” said Nate Pelsma,Executive Director of Business Innovation & Corporate Campus at Thomas College. “We are so excited and honored to be a part of this fantastic evening celebrating entrepreneurship in this area.”
“We’re proud to see our students contribute to a regional culture of problem-solving and innovation,” said Lisa Noble, Deputy Director of the Halloran Labs at Colby College. “The region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is expanding, and our students are part of that growth.”
Dirigo Launch Incubator Showcase
This event also showcased the businesses participating in the Dirigo Labs Incubator Cohort, which helps emerging entrepreneurs refine their business ideas, develop revenue-generating models, and discover customer segments for the next stage of development. This fall’s cohort represented a range of new businesses across technology, food systems, consumer products, health innovation, workforce development technology, and premium forestry products. The Dirigo Launch companies showcased were,
The Dirigo Innovation Challenge underscores the growing strength of central Maine’s startup ecosystem and the importance of building a clear, supportive pathway from mind to market. The event showcased the early-stage venture growth that Dirigo Labs works to cultivate prior to its accelerator programming. From helping founders identify problems and develop solutions, to prototyping products and validating markets. Together, the Back of the Napkin Challenge and the Dirigo Launch Incubator serve as critical on-ramps for emerging talent and new businesses in central Maine.
About Dirigo LabsDirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow mid-Maine’s digital and innovation-driven economy, Dirigo Labs brings together founders, mentors, investors, and partners to support the successful launch and scale of new ventures. Operating under the Central Maine Growth Council, Dirigo Labs is supported by academic institutions, industry partners, and statewide innovation organizations. For more information, visit:www.dirigolabs.org
About The Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship at Colby College: The Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship at Colby College offers entrepreneurship training and practical opportunities aimed at preparing Colby students to be effective innovators and entrepreneurs—whether they are creating dynamic new business ventures or improving existing organizations or programs. The lab provides funding for students to start commercial and social enterprises, mentorship, and access to innovation and maker spaces on campus and in downtown Waterville. For more information, visit https://www.colby.edu/halloran-lab-for-entrepreneurship/.
About Kennebec Valley Community College: Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is a 2-year comprehensive community college serving students from Somerset, Kennebec, and Knox counties. KVCC’s Workforce Training and Professional Development office provides a wide range of short-term training programs targeted toward business and industry needs. For more information, visit https://www.kvcc.me.edu.
About Thomas CollegeThomas College, located in beautiful Waterville, Maine, is defining what it means to be the College of the Future. With a strong commitment to innovation, career readiness, and community partnerships, Thomas College is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of Maine’s top colleges for social mobility. Our distinctive Guaranteed Job Program™, accelerated undergraduate degrees, and flexible graduate programs empower students to advance faster in business, entrepreneurship, education, technology, applied STEM, and arts & science fields. At Thomas, belonging isn’t a buzzword; it’s a promise. We create a supportive, welcoming environment where every student is seen, valued, and prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world.For more information visit thomas.edu.
Startup received $25,000 in cash prizes sponsored by Skowhegan Savings Bank
Waterville, ME – 6/10/2025 – Seascale, a Thomaston-based aquaculture startup, made a clean sweep at Dirigo Labs fourth annual pitch competition, winning all three prize categories and taking home $25,000 in cash awards sponsored by Skowhegan Savings Bank. The company’s core innovation, the Maine Scallop Pot™, is a modular aquaculture system designed to integrate seamlessly into the daily routines of working fishermen, offering a low-touch, low-labor way to diversify income without disrupting traditional lobstering operations.
“We are incredibly honored to be selected by the judges, our peers, and the audience,” said Charles Walsh, Co-Founder of Seascale. “These prizes will help us expand operations and empower more coastal communities to build resilience through sustainable aquaculture.”
“This win reflects the incredible momentum behind scalable, fisherman-first solutions,” said Jon Steuber, Co-Founder of Seascale. “We built the Maine Scallop Pot™ to make aquaculture a real, viable option for working fishermen—not just in Maine, but anywhere traditional fisheries are facing pressure. This support gives us the confidence and capital to keep pushing forward.”
Seascale received $20,000 as the judge’s Pitch Prize winner, $3,000 as the Founder’s Choice award, and $2,000 by audience voting. The competition took place on May 28 at Greene Block + Studios in downtown Waterville which featured ten companies from Dirigo Labs’ 2025 accelerator cohort. Startups pitched innovations spanning cleantech, manufacturing, marine technology, software, and were evaluated on capital strategy, team strength, potential for economic or community impact, storytelling, and innovation.
Over the course of the 12-week accelerator, startups in the Dirigo Labs program received mentorship from a national network of subject-matter experts and investors. Curriculum topics included customer acquisition, employment law, sales, and public-private funding opportunities, all aimed at helping founders refine their business models and scale their impact.
“The Dirigo Labs Accelerator Program continues to be a catalyst for high-potential startups like Seascale,” said Dan Tilton, President of Skowhegan Savings Bank. “We’re proud to support entrepreneurs who are bringing sustainable innovation to Maine’s working waterfront and beyond.”
“This cohort demonstrated not only creativity and resilience but also a strong commitment to solving real-world challenges,” said Susan Ruhlin, Managing Director of Dirigo Labs. “We’re excited to see Seascale and the rest of the cohort continue to grow and contribute to Maine’s innovation economy. We’re also deeply grateful to Skowhegan Savings Bank for making this support possible.”
For startups, investors, and mentors interested in learning more about Dirigo Labs, please visit dirigolabs.org.
About Dirigo Labs:Dirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow the greater Waterville area’s digital and innovation economy, Dirigo Labs supports entrepreneurs building high-growth companies through access to mentors, curriculum, and funding networks. The accelerator operates under the Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms across Maine and beyond.
About Skowhegan Savings:Skowhegan Savings Bank has been committed to strengthening Maine’s families, businesses, and communities for over 150 years. As an independent mutual savings bank headquartered in Skowhegan, the bank provides competitive banking solutions with a focus on personalized service and community investment. Learn more at skowhegan.com or by calling 800.303.9511.
About Seascale: Seascale designs and manufactures the Maine Scallop Pot™, a modular aquaculture system tailored for integration into traditional fishing operations. Built around the daily rhythms of working lobstermen, the gear enables fishermen to cultivate scallops without adding labor-intensive tasks or disrupting established routines. With a focus on simplicity, speed, and seasonal flexibility, Seascale is helping Maine’s coastal communities build more resilient, diversified livelihoods. For more information, visit seascalemaine.com