With So Much Ahead of You,

Wouldn't It Be Nice

To Have Something Extra Behind You?

Gorham Savings Bank’s LaunchPad celebrates and supports Maine ingenuity, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The process is simple and straightforward, and the benefits of participating are many.

Opening quotation

There's so much built into the competition that helps every business who participates. The intangible benefits are worth more than the $50,000 exponentially.

Closing quotation
- Melissa LaCasse, Tanbark, 2022 LaunchPad Winner

HOW LAUNCHPAD WORKS

The goal of Gorham Savings Bank's LaunchPad is to help Maine's early-stage businesses. So we keep the application process as simple and straightforward as possible. At Gorham Savings Bank, we believe that anyone who’s out there pursuing their own small business deserves recognition and support. As such, we want to give as many small businesses the chance to win as we possibly can.
July15

Application Opens

The online application for the 2024 competition opens on Monday, July 15. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for entrepreneurs to apply, so you can preview the application. Be sure to watch our “Before You Apply” video to learn more from the LaunchPad Judges themselves about what they look for in an application.

August15

Deadline to Apply

Applying to LaunchPad takes only an hour or two. No formal documentation is required, and you can create an account to start your application, then stop and save a draft to complete later. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on August 15.

Application deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 5:00pm 

September27

Finalists Selected & Notified

A team of independent, experienced, successful entrepreneurs and business leaders will review every completed application against the judging criteria including viability, scalability, uniqueness, management and impact. Those selected to advance will be notified on or before Friday, September 27, 2024.

October15

Finalist Orientation

The $50,000 LaunchPad finalists will participate in a orientation with the LaunchPad team to prepare you for the live event. This includes an overview of the agenda and a review of requirements and best practices for your live pitch. Finalists will also arrive early on event day to walk-through the venue and know what to expect.

October22

Live Pitch Event

The $50,000 LaunchPad finalists will deliver a pitch to, and then field questions from, a panel of three independent, experienced, successful business leaders live in-person on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The no-strings-attached $50,000 LaunchPad grant and Emerging Business Award winners will both be announced at the conclusion of the event. RSVP Now

Evaluation Criteria

The judges will score the presentations on the following criteria

Official Rules

  • Viability
  • Scalability
  • Uniqueness
  • Management
  • Impact
  • Presentation

ELIGIBILITY

The application period for the 2024 competition starts on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 8:00am and ends on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 5:00pm. Legally registered, Maine-based businesses and/or businesses with their primary operations in Maine; or legal residents of Maine age 18 or older can apply. Past LaunchPad applicants and finalists are also welcome to reapply. No formal business proposals or supporting documents are required. Selected finalists will deliver a live pitch in-person to a panel of judges on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The Emerging Business Award and $50,000 LaunchPad Grant winners will be announced at the conclusion of the live event.