All are invited to The Top Gun Pitch! Enjoy a fun night of networking and light refreshments as you congratulate the six businesses in the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs' 2025 Top Gun Class. These businesses are highly scalable Maine-based organizations that are savvy, growing, and competitive. 15 short weeks ago, these businesses applied and were accepted into the Top Gun business accelerator program, but now they are ready to “WOW” you – each business will present a 5-10 minute pitch in hopes of winning favor with the judges. The judges will award first ($2,500) and second place ($1,000) winners, but YOU and the spectators vote for a People's Choice Award worth up to $500. The Top Gun Pitch winner moves on from this regional competition to the Top Gun Showcase at the Maine Entrepreneurs Summit on May 16th.
Registration is requested, but not required. All are welcome.
2025 Machias Top Gun Businesses:
- Eastern Edge Sea Salt, Kelly Hinkle
- Great Wass Shellfish, Kyle Pepperman
- Gin Majka
- Theater of Dice, Ambrosia Ross
- Dennys River Homes, Phil McBride & George McBride
Come out to the Edward L. Hennessey Jr. Education Center at 1 Colonial Way in Machias at 5:00 PM for light refreshments and networking. Your support of rural entrepreneurship means the world to not only these six entrepreneurs, but the network providers and sponsors who have worked to make this programming possible in Washington and Hancock County. The live pitches begin promptly at 6:15 PM and is intended to be a positive, casual evening to celebrate doing business in Maine.
The grand prize and second-place prize money is proudly donated by Northern Maine Development Commission and Machias Savings Bank. Thank you to the many volunteers, mentors, sponsors, and teachers who make this program possible. It is their generous dedication and support that make this programming possible and to that, we say “Thank you!”
Supporting Sponsors:
- Sunrise County Economic Council
- MaineStreet Business Building
- Maine Mentor Network
- Machias Savings Bank
- Northern Maine Development Commission
- Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
