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PR: Dirigo Labs Secures $25,000 Pitch Competition Prize from Skowhegan Savings Bank

June 7, 2022

Waterville, ME 6/7/2022 – Dirigo Labs has successfully secured its pitch competition prize for its inaugural cohort of 12 Maine-based startups. The accelerator program’s pitch competition, which will be held at Colby College on Tuesday, June 21 from 5-8, will evaluate each company’s pitch delivery, capital strategy, and impact on entrepreneurship in Maine. Dirigo Labs’ inaugural cohort, which began on March 23 and is housed in the Hathaway Creative Center in Waterville, caters to startups in a range of industries, including aquaculture, software, healthcare, and aerospace.  

“Skowhegan Savings has a long history of supporting local business startups, recognizing that innovation and entrepreneurship are the cornerstones of our economy,” said Steve Thomas, SVP Senior Commercial Lender at Skowhegan Savings Bank. ”The Dirigo Accelerator program is fostering this group of entrepreneurs, by providing the tools and mentorship, to be successful. Our charitable foundation couldn’t be more pleased to award the winner with a $25,000 cash prize to help them achieve that next level of growth necessary for their business to thrive.” 

The 12-week program guides startups through a targeted curriculum to execute their project plans, and each cohort company is able to work with a curated board of local and national advisors from a range of industries. Seminar topics included how to utilize public-private sector grants and economic incentives, customer acquisition strategies, capital planning, and intellectual property evaluation. 

“This inaugural cohort represents the very best of Maine’s startup landscape,” said Dirigo Labs’ Managing Director, Susan Ruhlin. “These passionate founders are building a stronger innovation-based economy in our state, and we can’t wait to share their progress with the community. The generous support of Skowhegan Savings Bank is a perfect example of their steadfast commitment to helping entrepreneurs turn vision into reality, and we are so grateful for the support.”  

To learn more about Dirigo Labs’ pitch competition and how you can attend in person, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2p82dhzm. For startups and potential mentors interested in learning more about Dirigo Labs, please visit www.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 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 Skowhegan Savings: Skowhegan Savings Bank has been dedicated to strengthening Maine’s families, businesses, and communities by providing personalized and competitive banking services to the regions they serve for 150 years. An independent mutual savings bank based in Skowhegan, our mission is to provide customers with exceptional service in an innovative banking environment that effectively and efficiently puts the financial needs of the customer first. Skowhegan Savings takes pride in not only being a great place to bank but also a great place to work. For more information about Skowhegan Savings, please visit Skowhegan.com or contact our Customer Service line at 800.303.9511.

Last modified: June 7, 2022

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