W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 N OV E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 2 2
F O C U S B A N K I N G / F I N A N C E / I N S U R A N C E
and security consulting, NKENNE is the company's
main project — backed by more than $150,000 from
business-pitch victories and grant funding.
"We've been able to survive and move forward by
the pitch competition and grants," the 32-year-old says.
"We've been in the finals of over 15 pitch competitions
over the past 18 months, and that has made a ton of
people proud of us to see where we land."
C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E
»
NO OTHER
LENDER
DELIVERS
MORE FOR
YOUR MONEY.
Discover more than a lender.
More than just lending money, Farm
Credit East is focused on your business
success. That's why, along with
competitive rates and terms, we feature
ag business services with the expertise
to help you find profit, save money and
protect your legacy.
Nobody is more committed to your
business needs
.
Loans & Leases
Financial
Record-Keeping
Payroll Services
Profitability Consulting
Tax Preparation &
Planning
Appraisals
Estate Planning
Beginning Farmer
Programs
PITCHER'S MOUND:
A beginner's guide
to Maine business
pitch contests
For those who are interested, here's an
overview of business competitions in Maine.
"Greenlight Maine," regular and college
editions, plus "Elevating Voices" to
highlight diversity, Maine Public TV series,
greenlightmaine.com
Gorham Savings Bank LaunchPad annual
contest gorhamsavingsbank.com/launchpad/
Top Gun accelerator program and contest,
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, mced.biz
Big Gig Pitch Off, Bangor area, upstartmaine.org
Dirigo Labs accelerator and pitch competition,
Waterville, dirigolabs.org
Downeast Business Boot Camp and & Pitch-
Off, Coastal Maine Enterprises, ceimaine.org
NEW: Business Lab Pitch Competition, Main
Street Skowhegan, mainstreetskowhegan.org
NEW: Maine Startup Challenge, Maine
Venture Fund, mainventurefund.org
This is not intended as a comprehensive list and
excludes contests at colleges and universities.
Michael Odokara-Okigbo,
founder of NKENNE
P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F N K E N N E
