Cohort Kickoff Scheduled for 5:30 PM on March 6 at Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space in Downtown Waterville
Waterville, ME 2/27/2025 – Dirigo Labs announced the 12 startups selected for its fourth cohort class. The accelerator program, hosted at the Hathaway Creative Center in downtown Waterville, will feature an enhanced curriculum with emphasis on fundraising education and entrepreneurial development.
“The selection of these 12 innovative startups for our fourth cohort represents the continuing growth and diversification of Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” stated Susan Ruhlin, Managing Director of Dirigo Labs. “Each company brings unique solutions to market challenges, from sustainable consumer products to advanced manufacturing technologies. Their selection demonstrates the vibrant potential for innovation and economic growth in our region.”
Emalee Hall, Assistant Director of Innovation Programming and Partnerships, added: “This cohort showcases the incredible diversity of talent and innovation emerging from Maine’s entrepreneurial community. We’re particularly excited about the emphasis on fundraising education, which will equip these founders with critical skills to access capital and scale their businesses. The mentorship and resources these startups will receive through Dirigo Labs will be transformative for their growth trajectory.”
Startup teams were carefully selected based on development stage, founder experience, potential to scale, and industry relevance. Participating founders will be paired with a customized board of advisors drawn from Dirigo Labs’ extensive local and national mentor network. Teams will participate in comprehensive workshop sessions covering fundraising strategies, investor relations, public-private sector grants, intellectual property, and strategic growth planning.
The 2025 Dirigo Labs Fourth Cohort Companies are:
Coelle Travel (Khadija El Barkaoui) – Sustainable culturally immersive tourism experiences
BackRiver Blends (Jordene Trueh) – Authentic Jamaican jerk marinades with locally-sourced ingredients
Kili Organics (Juliana Tebbetts) – Nutrient-rich Tanzanian Baobab and Moringa superfood powders
Creativity Codex (Jeff Poulin) – A platform for teams and individuals to understand and expand their creative capabilities
Seascale (Jonathan Steuber & Charles Walsh) – Innovative Maine Scallop Pot for extended fishing seasons
Maine Laboratories (Katie Richards) – Maine’s first PFAS testing facility
Flexware Controls (Jeremy Ouellette) – FlexCube Refrigeration System reducing HFC usage by 75%
Maine Plywood (Charles Martin) – New England’s sustainable plywood production facility
Intripid (Dan Shevenell) – Seamless travel planning platform for all types of travelers
K.BeckerDesigns (Kimberly Becker) – Ethical, small-batch, circular fashion with zero waste
James Point (Kathleen Kurjanowicz) – Sophisticated, refillable stationery for stylish organization
Maine Love (Jen Millard) – Bringing breweries and Sebago Lake water into sustainable aluminum packaging
Startups who are interested in learning more about Dirigo Labs can visit www.dirigolabs.org.
About Dirigo Labs:
Dirigo Labs, a program of the Central Maine Growth Council, is a regional startup accelerator and incubator based in Waterville, Maine. The organization is dedicated to supporting innovative startups and small businesses through mentorship, access to capital, and strategic partnerships. Dirigo Labs aims to advance economic development and position Maine as a hub for entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
Waterville, ME – February 7, 2025 – Dirigo Labs, a program of the Central Maine Growth Council, announced the winners of its first 2025 Dirigo Launch Incubator Demo Day at the January 25 event, sponsored by Coldwell Bank Plourde Real Estate. After a competitive and engaging event, three standout entrepreneurs were selected based on their understanding of their market, clarity of value propositions, and potential impact on social, environmental, and economic fronts.
The winners of the 2025 Dirigo Launch Demo Day were:
1st Place: Juliana Tebbetts of Kili Organics – A company bringing nutrient-rich, organic Moringa and Baobab superfood powders sourced from Tanzania to health-conscious consumers in Maine and beyond.
2nd Place: Jeff Poulin of Creativity Codex – A platform designed to help creative professionals harness and expand their creative capabilities through learning, self-reflection, and community collaboration.
3rd Place: Andrew Schundler of CHUH – A bottled matcha latte that offers a clean, natural caffeine source for health-conscious individuals, providing antioxidant-rich energy with sustained benefits.
The Demo Day was structured to give each entrepreneur a space to display their products or marketing materials while engaging with attendees in a dynamic networking environment. A hidden judge evaluated participants based on the quality of their conversations and the stories shared, focusing on key criteria such as assessing customer insights, market fit, value proposition clarity, and the potential for social, environmental, or economic impact.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and passion that each of these entrepreneurs demonstrated throughout the program,” said Emalee Hall, Assistant Director of Innovation Programming and Partnerships at Dirigo Labs. “Kili Organics, Creativity Codex, and CHUH are outstanding examples of the innovation happening in Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we are excited to see how they will continue to grow and impact their industries.”
Dirigo Labs would like to extend a special thank you to Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate for their generous sponsorship of the event, which helped make Demo Day a success.
Dirigo Labs recently launched a 9-part Financial Modeling Course on February 4th, designed to provide entrepreneurs with the skills to understand and manage their business finances effectively. Additionally, the Dirigo Labs Accelerator Program will kick off on March 4th, offering tailored mentorship and resources to high-potential startups poised for growth.
For more information about the Dirigo Launch Incubator Program and upcoming programs, visit https://www.dirigolabs.org/.
About Dirigo Labs:
About Dirigo Launch:
The Dirigo Launch Incubator Program supports ideation to pre-seed startups with innovative ideas, offering a solid foundation for early ventures. This 8-week program provides workshops, tailored homework, and office hours to help startups explore their market, identify target customers, and plan early-stage fundraising, along with specialized SBIR/STTR grant support. Additionally, customized technical assistance will be provided for startups and entrepreneurs in clean technology sectors, ensuring these companies receive tailored guidance within one of Maine’s key growth areas.
Waterville, ME – 12/10/2024 – Dirigo Labs is now accepting applications for its 2025 accelerator cohort, unveiling a revamped 12-week curriculum designed to prepare startups for scalable growth and investment. Alongside the accelerator, applications are also open for the Virtual Financial Modeling Program, which will commence on February 3, 2025, providing entrepreneurs with foundational financial skills critical for building and scaling their businesses.
This year, Dirigo Labs will offer additional targeted resources for cleantech, biotech, and forest products startups while strengthening its focus on investor readiness and capital strategy. Dirigo Labs will also feature a standalone financial modeling series prior to the main accelerator, providing entrepreneurs with essential financial foundations.
As Maine’s federally designated hub for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant support and host of the newly launched SBIR Resource Center, Dirigo Labs is uniquely equipped to support startups interested in pursuing federal funding. The accelerator’s 2025 curriculum includes specialized guidance for navigating public grants and contracts, particularly for technology and R&D-driven ventures.
“Our 2025 cohort will benefit from an enhanced program that bridges knowledge gaps and accelerates growth for Maine’s innovation-based startups,” says Dirigo Labs Managing Director Susan Ruhlin. “With expanded investor-readiness training and focused resources for cleantech, biotech, and forest products, we aim to provide startups with both the tools and the confidence to scale their businesses and secure the funding they need to thrive.”
The main accelerator program begins in March 2025, following the Virtual Financial Modeling Program, which kicks off on February 3. Entrepreneurs interested in joining the cohort or the financial modeling program are encouraged to apply at the Dirigo Labs website.
Participants will attend weekly workshops, one-on-one advisory sessions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. This year’s curriculum emphasizes capital strategy, pitch preparation, and customer acquisition alongside market-driven support tailored to participating industries.
“Investor readiness is often a missing piece for startups entering competitive markets,” adds Emalee Hall, Dirigo Labs Assistant Director of Innovation Program and Partnerships. “Our 2025 program is designed to demystify the investment process, pairing founders with expert guidance in everything from financial modeling to pitch refinement.”
Dirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine, with a mission to grow mid-Maine’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs building innovation-based companies. Operating under the Central Maine Growth Council, Dirigo Labs connects startups with people, resources, and organizations to ensure their success. The accelerator is supported by a diverse coalition of organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms dedicated to fostering business development and job creation.
For more information, please visit www.dirigolabs.org.
Part of $9 Million Awarded to 49 Organizations to Expand Access to Grant Research Funding for Startups and Entrepreneurs
Waterville, ME 11/13/2024 – Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) in downtown Waterville has been federally designated as Maine’s official Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Resource Center and awarded the prestigious 2024 SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program Grant. As one of only 49 organizations selected nationwide, CMGC will play a critical role in helping underserved communities—including women, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and rural small businesses—access vital federal funding for research, innovation, and technology commercialization through the SBIR/STTR programs. FAST organizations work locally, providing person-to-person support and training that significantly increases the probability of success for entrepreneurs and small businesses pursuing SBIR or STTR contracts and grants. The FAST Partnership Program provides essential funding to organizations like CMGC, empowering them to implement state and regional initiatives that increase SBIR/STTR participation. These federal grant funding programs serve as a crucial catalyst for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs to engage in research and development (R&D) activities, offering an accessible pathway to funding for technological innovation and commercialization. “We are honored to be named the 2024 SBA FAST Partnership Program Awardee for Maine,” said Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation, and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council and principal investigator for the 2024 SBA FAST. “This award is a critical step toward strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial landscape. It will drive innovation and provide essential support for startups and small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved communities. While advancing the region’s transformation into an innovation hub, this initiative plays a pivotal role in fueling economic growth, securing vital R&D funding, and accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies across the state.”CMGC and its startup accelerator Dirigo Labs will leverage this SBA FAST award to expand and develop its downtown Waterville-based SBIR/STTR Resource Center. The center will offer coaching, grant application technical assistance, and commercialization support to companies pursuing SBIR/STTR funding for their innovative technology. Through partnership with the Maine Technology Institute (MTI), these SBIR-eligible businesses will also expect to receive proposal support and development through MTI’s Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) team. As part of the initiative, CMGC will engage an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The EiR will be instrumental in guiding startups and small businesses through the SBIR/STTR proposal process, aiming to increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards secured in Maine. “The addition of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Dirigo Labs underscores our commitment to strengthening Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Dirigo Labs Assistant Director of Innovation Programming and Partnerships Emalee Hall. “This role will provide high-touch support to startups pursuing SBIR/STTR funding, enhancing their potential for success and fostering innovation across the state. We are excited to support Maine’s small businesses in accessing these transformative opportunities.”For more information on the SBA FAST Partnership Program and Central Maine Growth Council’s SBIR/STTR Resource Center, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3vze6z.
About SBA FAST:In FY 2024, $9 million was appropriated for entities to carry out activities defined under the FAST Partnership Program legislative authority. Entities from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive funding to provide outreach, technical, and financial assistance. Additional information can be found at https://www.sbir.gov/community/fast.About SBIR/STTR:SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, known as America’s Seed Fund across the eleven participating federal agencies. Over $4 billion in early-stage seed capital is provided annually through over 6,000 awards to more than 4,000 small businesses. Federal agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by the Americas Seed Fund often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. Additional information about the programs, as well as past and current topics can be found at www.sbir.gov.About the U.S. Small Business Administration:The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.About Central Maine Growth Council: Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), located in Waterville, Maine, is a public-private collaborative regional economic development partnership funded by municipalities and businesses who share a common vision of economic prosperity for our region. CMGC is committed to fostering a robust regional economy. Our belief is that the standard of living and quality of life of our citizens is best served by a vibrant, healthy economy. This is accomplished with a strong successful business community. To learn more about Central Maine Growth Council, visit www.centralmaine.org.
About Dirigo Labs: Dirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow mid-Maine’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs building innovation-based companies, the Dirigo Labs ecosystem brings together people, resources, and organizations to ensure the successful launch of new startups. Dirigo Labs operates under Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by several organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms. To learn more about Dirigo Labs, please visit www.dirigolabs.org.
Waterville, ME (10/19/2022) – Dirigo Labs, Central Maine’s premier accelerator program, is excited to announce the Better Maine Conference: Building Inclusive Workplaces, a conference dedicated to educating, having conversations on, and taking actionable steps towards diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) workplaces.
Dirigo Labs is very fortunate to partner with Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship to create the Better Maine Conference. “The Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship is proud to be a partner with Dirigo Labs in bringing the Better Maine Conference to our region,” elaborates Patric Moore, Business Relations Manager at Main Street Skowhegan. “The Center for Entrepreneurship strives to create a business ecosystem that empowers and includes all people who are entrepreneurs and small business owners. We view this conference as an opportunity to engage Central Maine in the important topics of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.”
Building Inclusive Workplaces is the first in a series of yearly conferences hosted by Dirigo Labs dedicated to DEIA practices. The conference will take place on November 14, 2022, with sessions throughout downtown Waterville. The sessions will feature presentations, panels, and breakout conversations facilitated by expert speakers, including Laura Shen, the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at WEX, and Marwa Hassanien, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Northern Light Health.
The conference aims to bring together those involved with and interested in local businesses across Maine to participate in conversations on inclusion, belonging, and accessibility in the workplace. Attendants will learn how to promote and extend supportive workplace values and practices through lectures and discussions. Furthermore, employers and employees can gain skills to create and implement more inclusive workplace practices at every level.
The Better Maine Conference would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Kennebec Savings Bank. “[We are] pleased to support Dirigo Lab’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Conference,” said Andrew Silsby, President & CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank. “DEIA training is critical to building a safe and equitable workplace. This conference will help local businesses build awareness and skills to support marginalized employees and cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued.”
Together with Kennebec Savings Bank, which believes in the importance of educating and training businesses in DEIA, Dirigo Labs anticipates that the Better Maine Conference will lead to open dialogues and growth in our local communities.
For more details about the Better Maine Conference, please visit www.dirigolabs.org/better-maine. Tickets to the event are available here.
Dirigo Labs is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow the greater Waterville area’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs building innovation-based companies, the Dirigo Labs ecosystem brings together people, resources, and organizations to ensure the successful launch of new startups. Dirigo Labs operates under Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by several organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms. To learn more about Dirigo Labs, please visit www.dirigolabs.org.
About Kennebec Savings Bank:
Kennebec Savings Bank is a $1.4 billion state-chartered community bank, part of a mutual organization, with a team of 193 employees and offices in Augusta, Farmingdale, Freeport, Waterville, and Winthrop, as well as “KSB Anytime” 24-hour electronic banking centers in Augusta, Farmingdale, Freeport, and Manchester. The Bank is proud that its involvement in the community as an employer, a business, and as a contributor has led to many other successes besides its own. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.