WATERVILLE — Dirigo Labs is proud to announce the selection of its first incubator cohort. Dirigo Launch is designed to support the growth of promising startups in Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and will provide participants with hands-on mentorship, resources, and access to a robust network of investors, industry experts, and peer founders.
“The Incubator program has already been a game-changer for our vision, providing the mentorship, resources, and network we need to begin development on our bottled matcha latte brand and bring a healthier caffeine alternative to more people,” said Andrew Schundler, founder of CHUH. “With the support of Dirigo Launch, we can refine our product and set-up ourselves up well for launching our matcha latte in the spring of 2025.”
After a competitive application process, the following companies have been selected for the 2024 cohort:
– CHUH [Georgetown] – A bottled matcha latte designed for health-conscious individuals seeking a cleaner, more natural caffeine source, offering the benefits of antioxidants and sustained energy.
– VWrent [Waterville] – Rescues old VW vans destined for the landfill and gives them new life as rental vehicles for those looking to explore any of the United States’ 431 national parks.
– Your Beauty [Portland] – Developing seaweed-based, environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic hair products.
– Creativity Co. [South Portland] – A platform for creatives to understand and expand their creative capabilities through self-reflection, learning, and connecting with a global community committed to using their creativity for good.
– Trulehly Sweet (Backriver Blends) [Topsham] – A unique, health-focused twist to Jamaican jerk with plant-based, allergen-free recipes, featuring Maine blueberry and original marinades for a vibrant, accessible flavor experience.
– dollhouse [Waterville] – A platform to enable users to create real-time, interactive 3D models of their personal spaces using their smartphones, allowing them to visualize and manipulate furniture and decor within their home environment.
– Kili Organics [Portland] – Provides nutrient-rich, certified organic Moringa and Baobab superfood powders, sourced from Tanzania and distributed from Maine.
– Coelle Travel [Portland] – Provides intentional experiences that allow travelers to connect deeply with the places they visit, rooted in sustainable, community-based tourism that honors and respects indigenous cultures.
– ParaAI [Waterville] – Platform to help writers get to their final drafts faster — offering multiple solutions to cater to the many aspects of writing.
– CUEE [Waterville] – Platform to provide students with tools to enhance their academic, financial, and personal well-being, including a major scheduler, campus event list, book exchange, and AI for institution-specific information.
– Ark Consulting [Waterville] – Platform to evolutionize social media marketing by enabling micro-influencers (500 to 3,000 followers) to monetize their following, offering smaller businesses an affordable, high-trust alternative to traditional advertising.
– Anavo Energy [Waterville] – Data energy company streamlining the solar installation process by offering an online marketplace that connects installers with quality leads and site design tools, helping them expand their customer base and reduce installation times.
– Upliftcare USA [Bangor] – A web application startup dedicated to improving access to holistic rehabilitative care by connecting users with specialists like occupational therapists, PT, and SLPs, offering telehealth integration, health webinars, and reducing waitlist times.
These companies represent a diverse range of industries, from clean technology and digital innovation to food and manufacturing. Each has demonstrated the potential for high growth and significant contributions to Maine’s economy.
Dirigo Labs’ Assistant Director of Innovation Programming and Partnerships Emalee Hall shared her enthusiasm for the selected startups, “We are excited to support this impressive cohort as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. These companies exemplify the innovation, resilience, and creativity that Maine is known for, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in the incubator program.”
The Dirigo Launch Incubator will offer a structured curriculum focusing on customer discovery, go-to-market strategy, early stage fundraising, and intellectual property. Participants will refine their value proposition, develop actionable strategies for reaching their target customers, determine a plan for fundraising, and build a solid foundation for their growing business.
Dirigo Labs continues its commitment to fostering economic growth by nurturing startups that aim to solve pressing challenges and create opportunities for innovation. The program aligns with Dirigo Labs’ mission to bolster Maine’s entrepreneurial landscape and build sustainable businesses that contribute to the region’s long-term prosperity.
For more information about the Dirigo Launch Incubator Program, visit https://www.dirigolabs.org/dirigo-launch-incubator/.
Dirigo Labs 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.
The Dirigo Launch Incubator Program supports ideation to pre-seed startups with innovative ideas, offering a solid foundation for early ventures. This 8-week program provides workshops, tailored homework, and office hours to help startups explore their market, identify target customers, and plan early-stage fundraising, along with specialized SBIR/STTR grant support. Additionally, customized technical assistance will be provided for startups and entrepreneurs in clean technology sectors, ensuring these companies receive tailored guidance within one of Maine’s key growth areas.
