Dirigo Momentum: Central Maine Growth Council Taps Jeff Frank to Elevate Local and State Innovation
Frank, a seasoned entrepreneur and policy veteran, will lead the Waterville-based Dirigo Labs accelerator, turning local ingenuity into high-growth, scalable Maine companies.
WATERVILLE, ME – 12/10/25 – The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Frank as Program Manager of Dirigo Labs. In this new role, Jeff will lead and support the design and delivery of Dirigo Labs’ programs, including the 12-week startup Accelerator, the Dirigo Launch Incubator, and the Dirigo Model financial-readiness course, which equips founders to attract capital and scale successfully. Early applications for both the Accelerator Program and the finance-specific Dirigo Model are now open.
“Dirigo Labs is a driving force for startups and entrepreneurs in downtown Waterville and across Maine, helping founders transform ideas into scalable businesses,” said Garvan Donegan, President and CEO of the Central Maine Growth Council. “Bringing Jeff Frank on board amplifies this impact and reinforces our growth through key partnerships, including Colby College, and through the development of Dirigo Labs’ new offices and innovation infrastructure at the 40,000 sq. ft. Levine’s Discovery Headquarters in Waterville.”
Dirigo Labs, the innovation-focused arm of CMGC, works to turn innovative ideas into thriving companies and high-value jobs. It is an extension of CMGC’s mission to build a stronger central Maine economy by activating state ingenuity. Dirigo Labs anticipates future growth in critical sectors such as precision manufacturing, biotechnology, cleantech, and information technology. “Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools we have for building economic strength and resiliency in rural Maine,” said Jeff Frank. “At Dirigo Labs, we connect founders with the tools, capital, and expertise needed to succeed and scale. I’m optimistic about the future of central Maine’s startup community and invite anyone interested to get involved.”
Jeff Frank brings a diverse background in private-sector innovation, public policy, and community development. He co-founded hearforward.com (acquired 2012) and held leadership roles as CEO of Hoana Medical, COO of Smart Yields, Product Lead at Oceanit Labs, and operations lead at Elemental Excelerator. In the public sector, Frank served five years on Capitol Hill as a senior staff member for two U.S. Senators, worked as a senior research analyst at the Brookings Institution, and spent two years in the U.S. Peace Corps.
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. Visit dirigolabs.org.
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 find out more about how CMGC can help your business succeed, give us a call at (207) 680-7300 or visit centralmaine.org.
Last modified: December 18, 2025
