Top Features
✓ Chance to win cash for your business
✓ Weekly keynotes & access to business advisors
✓ Work closely with Director of Entrepreneurship
Business Lab Program
Business Lab is a FREE fast-paced, interactive program of eight classes held over eight weeks, followed by a pitch competition, designed to help you create, refine, implement, and present your business. Business Lab is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs ready to put their ideas to paper and for existing entrepreneurs looking to evaluate a new idea or apply a structured system to their growing business.
2024 Spring Cohort
3
Business Lab Programs since 2022
24
New businesses assisted
$16,000
Awarded to new businesses
Apply for Business Lab
- Complete a Business Lab application.
- Submit your application.
- Our Business Relations Manager will contact you to schedule a meeting.
- Applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted before the start of class to confirm program acceptance.
- If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Director of Entrepreneurship.
Applications are closed for Spring 2024!
Curriculum
Business Lab meets once a week on Wednesdays for 8 weeks from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Week 1, April 10 Understanding Your Business
Week 2, April 17 Pitch Fundamentals
Week 3, April 24 Finance/Accounting
Week 4, May 1 Marketing, Sales & Competition
May 8, 2024 Class Break
Week 5, May 15 Project Management & Risk Analysis
Week 6, May 22 Entrepreneur Roundtable
Week 7, May 29 Full Pitch Practice/Wrap-Up
Week 8, June 5 Final Pitch Competition
Past Business Lab Programs
Fall 2022 Cohort
In Fall 2022, the Business Lab program surged into action with an impressive cohort of 10 ambitious participants. They eagerly stepped into the spotlight, each armed with innovative concepts and entrepreneurial dreams. The stage was set at the esteemed Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, where excitement crackled in the air as the participants prepared to showcase their ideas.
The Business Lab Program aims to drive economic growth and create new opportunities for individuals and communities in the region.
Winner: Matthew Quinn, Quinn’s Tree Farm
Thank you to our Lead Business Lab Sponsor, Skowhegan Savings Bank!
Spring 2023 Cohort
Our eight-week Spring 2023 Business Lab has come to a close, and we are beyond pleased with the turnout of the May 31 pitch competition in Skowhegan! Congratulations to all who participated and pitched in front of our panel of judges and over 80 attendees.
The Pitch Contest was held in the future home of Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe and the Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp, a program of Main Street Skowhegan.
Winner: Casey Morgan of Morgan Camp Care took home the $5,000 prize during the 2023 Spring Cohort Pitch Competition.
Thank you to our Lead Business Lab Sponsor, Skowhegan Savings Bank!
Fall 2024 Cohort
Main Street Skowhegan hosted another successful Business Lab program and Pitch Competition featuring four unique and inspiring businesses on November 1st!
During a night of networking, community building, and entrepreneurship, our four participants pitched for a chance to win $5,000 and a runner-up prize of $1,000!
Winner: “Lights Up” Productions, a soon-to-be-formed non-profit focused on revitalizing the Skowhegan Opera House.
Runner-up: Bytesum Technologies, a local IT company focused on providing IT support to residential homes and small and medium-sized businesses.
Thank you to our Lead Business Lab Sponsor, Maine Technology Institute!