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
- Grand Prize: Nick Baser, Emberwoods – Thomas College
- EmberWoods is a Maine-based company turning firewood into a clean, kiln-dried, design-forward lifestyle product that delivers consistent quality and convenience.
- Social Impact Prize: Emily Lowther, Small Solutions HR – Thomas College
- Small Solutions HR helps mid-Maine small businesses grow by providing tailored HR services and outsourced HR support.
- Relevance to Maine Prize: Me’Chell Bixby, Accounts and Budgeting Bixby Style – KVCC
- Budgeting Bixby Style helps people manage their finances through affordable accounting, tax services, and simple Excel-based budgeting tools.
- Viability Prize: Rana Moeez Hassan, Flock – Colby College
- Flock is a mobile loyalty app that helps customers shop local and supports small businesses by turning everyday purchases into community-building rewards.
“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,
- D-Go (Fairfield) – Ready-to-drink decaf coffee for health-oriented consumers.
- Next Landing (Norridgewock) – A job-board platform for rural employers.
- OneBella (Dixmont) – A digital community and data tool for people living with Type 1 diabetes.
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 Labs
Dirigo 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 College
Thomas 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.
Last modified: December 11, 2025
