LaunchPad Small Business Pitch Competition (Maine Community Bank)
Maine Community Bank
$75,000 grant, or $15,000 grant + $10,000 services
Annual Maine pitch competition: a $75,000 grant, plus a $15,000 grant with $10,000 of services. The 2026 round is over.
LaunchPad is an annual pitch competition from Maine Community Bank for Maine small businesses and idea-stage entrepreneurs. One application is considered for two prizes: a $75,000 LaunchPad Grant (five finalists pitch live for five minutes with Q&A) and an Emerging Business Award of a $15,000 grant plus $10,000 of in-kind business and marketing services (five finalists pitch for two minutes). No purchase is necessary. The 2026 window ran July 13 to August 13 and the live event was October 20, 2026, so the next window is expected in summer 2027 but is not announced.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $15,000 – $75,000
- Realistic amount
- Two winners a year out of all applicants; five finalists compete for each prize.
- Deadline
- The 2026 window closed August 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. The next window has not been announced.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- ME
Who qualifies
- Legally registered Maine business, or business with primary operations in Maine
- Or a legal US resident of Maine aged 18+ with a proposed idea or product
- Tax-exempt organizations, nonprofits and charitable trusts are not eligible
- Maine Community Bank employees, officers, directors and their immediate families are not eligible
- Finalists must be able to attend the live event in person
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Equipment
- Space
- Hiring
- Product development (winner must use funds solely for the business described in the entry)
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Create an account and apply
Apply through the bank's grant platform during the window; one application covers both awards.
~3 hrs
-
2
Wait for finalist notice
Vetting by bank executives, then an independent preliminary judging panel.
-
3
Pitch live
Attend the virtual orientation and the in-person event; five minutes plus Q&A for LaunchPad finalists, two minutes for Emerging Business finalists.
~15 hrs
Judges score viability, scalability, uniqueness, management and impact; the bank publishes a 'Before You Apply' video showing what its judges look for.
Deadline & timing
2026 timeline: applications July 13 to August 13; finalists notified by September 25; finalist orientation October 13; live event October 20, 2026. Winners: Evergreen Additive ($75,000) and Latis Materials (Emerging Business Award). Past winners from 2023 are listed, so it recurs.
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Required documents
- Online application on the bank's grant platform
- Affidavit of Eligibility and release of liability if you win
- Attendance at the finalist orientation and the live event
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