2018 UMaine Business Challenge finalists announced
The UMaine Business Challenge presented by Business Lending Solutions, Maine’s largest college business plan competition, has announced this year’s finalists.
The seven-year-old competition is open to student entrepreneurs from Maine colleges or universities with businesses headquartered, or soon to be headquartered, in the state.
Vying for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes, the students will present a pitch in front of a panel of judges at the University of Maine on March 31.
This year’s finalists are all University of Maine students — Justin Gagnon, Nicholas Lajoie, Zachary Dalrymple, William “Patrick” Breeding and Stanley Small. Their business ideas range from dog nutrition to medical education devices, with others crossing into industries such as agriculture technology and outdoor recreation.
The finalists have been assigned mentors and have two weeks to prepare for the live pitch. They will compete for a $5,000 first-place prize provided by Business Lending Solutions, as well as a $1,000 second-place prize from the Maine Business School.
In addition, Business Lending Solutions will provide $5,000 of in-kind services. A $10,000 innovation prize from the Bruce Fournier Foundation also will be awarded.
More about the UMaine Business Challenge presented by Business Lending Solutions is online.