DormHamper, LLC - Alex Russell, Michael King, and Bryan Solar
Dormhamper, LLC, the venture of three students at Colby College, capitalizes upon the busy schedule of college students by providing pick-up laundry service at Colby dormitories. The group hopes to create a turnkey platform with which student entrepreneurs may start their own laundry service franchises at other colleges. The DormHamper package will include a business plan, customizable website, startup legal documents, and consulting services. LFF awarded a grant to leverage the expansion of DormHamper to other college campuses.
Lupine Farm - Emily Mitchell
Emily Mitchell owns and operates Lupine Farm, an equestrian facility and riding school in Vassalboro. Lupine Farm will host horse shows and riding clinics as well as provide riding lessons to the community. LFF awarded a grant to Lupine farm for capital development.
Market My Menu - Charles Drew and Calvin Bishop
Market My Menu is an internet-based software package that will help small, independent restaurants market themselves online. Charles Drew and Calvin Bishop started the software firm, Yetiface Software, LLC to create and commercialize Market My Menu. LFF awarded Market My Menu a grant to assist with a marketing venture.
mCaddie, Inc.
mCaddie is developing mobile device software which will serve as a mobile scorecard and social network for golfers. It hopes to become the premier golf destination on the internet. mCaddie is led by a team of young developers based at the Maine Center for Enterprise Development. LFF awarded a grant to mCaddie to acquire the capital necessary for beta testing.
Sunwater Farm - David Gulak
David Gulak operates Sunwater Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Benton. During the harvest months, Sunwater Farm delivers a crate of fresh, pesticide-free produce to each of its customers who pre-pay at the beginning of the season. Produce deliveries will strengthen the relationship between customers and their food source by including updates from the farm, DVDs of a local cooking show, and recipes incorporating each week’s produce. LFF awarded a grant to Sunwater Farm for capital improvements that will enable increased productive acreage.
Terrari-Systems - Kevin Klingler
Kevin Klinger designs and builds hand-crafted terrariums with wooden frames and shatter-proof, transparent lexan panels. The terrarium sits on top of an aquarium to create an ecosystem housing fish, reptiles and amphibians. Terrari-Systems will be marketed through pet stores and online sales in standard designs; custom-designed models will also be available. LFF awarded a grant to Terrari-Systems to acquire capital for prototype construction.
The Maine Green Energy Audit Project- Justin Pizzolato
The Maine Green Energy Audit is a start-up environmental technology service company that will offer a professional whole-house energy loss analysis and consultation for residential homes. The Maine Green Energy Audit was founded by Justin Pizzolato, and LFF awarded a grant to purchase startup equipment for the business.