NSB Continues Longtime Support of Maine Center for Entrepreneurs with $10,000 Sponsorship

PORTLAND—Since 1996, the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) has been driven to provide local entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to accelerate their business through a wide variety of programs, training, and mentoring. Countless business owners and professionals have raved about how the organization has helped grow their businesses in revenue, size, and reputation.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve been able to expand our operations to support more businesses. We have hundreds of volunteer business mentors in our network now,” said Tom Rainey, Executive Director of MCE. “I’ve developed incubator and accelerator programs in eight states, and I’ve never seen a place as collaborative as Maine.”

Among MCE’s many beneficial offerings are the Top Gun program, an acceleration initiative for Maine entrepreneurs looking to grow their startup or early stage businesses; food accelerator programs that help established food, beverage, and agriculture companies to scale up their business (Cultivator) and a program targeted at helping food and beverage companies sell products regionally and nationally (MarketShare); a BioInnovate program focused on intellectual property development and commercialization with various research partners; a FoodTech program that assists companies using technology, innovation, and science to improve our ecosystem; and the Maine Mentor Network program. MCE also hosts a Visionary Leadership program for emerging Maine business leaders.

The remarkable growth and impact of MCE has inspired Norway Savings Bank for years, including with a recent donation of $10,000 to support the organization in its mission of fostering and promoting a vibrant economy in our state.

“It’s truly inspiring to see the many ways in which MCE not only celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit in Maine but also helps the ideas, innovation, and potential of local entrepreneurs shine through,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of NSB who served as a judge at the Top Gun program competition in 2024. “Just the Top Gun program alone has assisted close to 400 Maine entrepreneurs over the last 15 years. The difference MCE makes and the connections it creates help dreams and goals become realities and contribute to our business community’s wider success.” 

“We’re so grateful for Norway Savings Bank’s involvement in and support of our programming,” said Rainey. “We would not be able to provide these opportunities without the commitment of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Our growth in size and scope can be directly attributed to the shared belief of MCE and the wider business community that these resources and relationships are helping entrepreneurs successfully cultivate and carry out innovative solutions that better the lives of Maine residents.”

There are many ways to help MCE in carrying out its mission. To learn more about the organization, how you can become involved, or to view a list of their programs and events, visit www.mced.biz.