Seven businesses chosen for L-A Top Gun Class of 2021

LEWISTON – The L-A Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, along with its partner the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, recently announced the seven businesses selected for the Top Gun LA Maine 2021 class.
Top Gun is an annual program for competitively selected entrepreneurs that combines mentoring with high-impact weekly gatherings held in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston/Auburn.
Entrepreneurs selected for the Top Gun LA 2021 cohort completed a rigorous process that included submittal of an application and a pitch deck, followed by one-on-one interviews with program staff. Each business will be matched with a mentor team and will participate in in-depth “hands-on” training and group learning exercises taught by subject matter experts in finance, business law, marketing and other critically important aspects of business development.
Selected for this year’s class are:
Mohamed Awil, Azenaide Pedro, Abel Dias – Community Staffing Partners (start-up). The mission of Community Staffing Partners is to build a diverse and inclusive workforce across Maine by helping foreign-trained New Mainers enter the Maine workforce.
Maria D’Auria – The Maine Jerky Company (start-up). The Maine Jerky Company crafts protein-based snacks for people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.
Tara Kieger – Sweet Cakes Bake Shop (existing business seeking growth opportunities), A full-service retail and wholesale bakery specializing in custom cakes, pies, cup cakes, breakfast pastries, doughnuts and many other treats.
Norman Patry – Summer Feet Cycling (existing business seeking growth opportunities). For 20 years Summer Feet Cycling has been offering cycling, walking, and multi-sport vacations.
Jennifer Banis – 111 Maine/Stay FnB (existing business developing spin-off company). A wedding catering company that’s developing a spin off company, Stay FnB. With the use of customized online software and a network of local chefs/companies, Stay FnB will upgrade staycations/vacations by bringing fresh locally sourced and prepared food and beverages to homes.
Jennie Hatch, Greta Warren – DimeRise (start-up). DimeRise shows investors what kind of companies their money supports and connects them with financial products that better match thier values.
Joan Drappeau – Slicpix (emerging company). A storytelling platform where marketing teams can collaborate, create, publish, and promote emotionally engaging stories.
The statewide Top Gun program is supported by Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. Additionally, the Maine Technology Institute has provided a $25,000 cash prize to be awarded at a final statewide Showcase event held at the end of the program in May.