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: