Maine Startup Challenge

Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Maine Startup Challenge Alumni

The Maine Startup Challenge (MSC) has always been about more than prize money. It's about sparking ideas, building skills, and launching entrepreneurs of all ages into whatever comes next. As we ramp up for MSC 2026, we caught up with a handful of our past finalists to see where their journeys have taken them.

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MSC 2022

The team at MLTG, LLC has continued to push their medical device forward after their founder and inventor passed away in 2025. MLTG is now 95% through FDA Class I medical device certification, and in February 2026 executed a long-term U.S. manufacturing agreement with New York Embroidery Studio (NYES) in Brooklyn, NY. MLTG licensed their IP and patents to NYES, who will manufacture the Tuff Cuff™ and Tuff Cuff Jr™. True to the founder's vision, NYES shares a strong commitment to American manufacturing.

Open Tier Runner-up — Bijou Build, Amanda Lacy

Amanda Lacy is the founder, inventor, and CEO of Bijou Build, bringing 15 years of experience creating products for kids' play — from backyards to playgrounds worldwide — and 10+ patents to her name (you might recognize the Ninja Line or the Fun Shine Swing). With Bijou Build, she's continuing to channel that expertise into the outdoor play category. See all their products here and maybe find one to add to your backyard!

MSC 2023

K-8 Tier Winner — Dynamite June Art

Dynamite June has continued to grow her art business by selling in stores, at craft fairs, and online. She is now working on an exciting new project: a graphic novel that combines her original art and writing. She's also headed to Japan this summer on a scholarship to deepen her study of comics, manga, and anime. You can check out her work at dynamitejune.com. 

MSC 2024

College Tier Winner — Sporos, Carter Friese

Sporos is a legislative intelligence platform that tracks U.S. bills, executive orders, and regulations across federal and all 50 state levels, delivering AI-powered summaries, full-text search, legislator profiles, vote tracking, and real-time alerts. Built for small nonprofits, policy teams, and everyday citizens who need comprehensive legislative tracking without enterprise pricing. Carter credits the MSC win as a pivotal confidence boost: "The grant we received for winning the College Edition of the MVF Showcase was pivotal in giving us the confidence we needed to start pursuing a solution." Explore it at sporos.ai.

K-8 Tier Winner — Dorian "D-Max" Pillsbury

Since winning MSC 2024, Dorian has been on a tear. He was named one of only five Little League Community Heroes in the country and this April, he'll be recognized as the Outstanding Youth Philanthropist for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Through merchandise, grants, book sales, and partnerships with dozens of businesses and nonprofits, he's raised thousands of dollars, published a children's book, and spoken to more than a dozen classrooms and civic organizations. He's now working to scale his impact beyond Maine, with a recent trip to Washington, D.C. to visit Senators King and Collins.

Support Dorian’s efforts by purchasing The D-Max Snack Box through Box of Maine. 

High School Tier Finalist — Keele Ford

Keele used her People's Choice Award to purchase a domain and begin building a website for her business idea, and had business cards printed that she's been sharing at conferences and events ever since. "Maine Venture Fund has helped give support to so many small businesses in Maine," she shared, "and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity throughout my journey as a small business."

Open Tier Winner — Lantern

Lantern is pioneering a new class of super low-impact landscape hotels. Lantern Camp Orland is currently under construction and plans to open this summer. 

We are so proud of everything this community of entrepreneurs has built, from a 13-year-old raising thousands for his community to a legislative platform serving everyday citizens. Maine's entrepreneurial ecosystem is alive and well.

Feeling inspired? Applications for the Maine Startup Challenge 2026 are open now through May 1st.

Head to the MSC webpage to grab a template and get started. Whether you're in K-8, high school, college, or beyond, there's a tier for you.

About Maine Venture Fund

Maine Venture Fund invests in Maine businesses that have the highest potential for growth and impact. For more information, visit maineventurefund.com. 

Inquiries:
Terri Wark
Maine Venture Fund
(207) 305-0006
terri@maineventurefund.com