"Having been a member of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum in Naples, Florida, and having listened to many entrepreneurs in that state present their ideas, I can assure you that the quality of the Topgun candidates offers great hope for Maine. Thank you for your efforts and thanks to all the participants and mentors who have helped to successfully launch this program. This is a new era for MCED and it will be a delight to attend Pitch Night in November."
- Steve Shea, President - Signature Capital Securities LLC
"Some of the most important aspects of turning an idea into a company are also the hardest -- the ability to build a practical plan, execute with demonstrable results and solve problems creatively and quickly -- all with minimal resources. It's vital to have experienced outsiders to offer constructive advice along the way. I’m hopeful that Top Gun will take the entrepreneurial network to the next level by formalizing the support offered to up-and-coming companies and connecting entrepreneurs at all levels of experience."
- Diane Sammer, Entrepreneur & CEO
- Emergent Discovery LLC
"The BeGlobal Network enthusiastically supports the efforts of the Maine Center for Enterprise Development to develop a comprehensive and customized system of support services for Maine’s innovation based entrepreneurs. This is precisely the type of entrepreneurial attention that is necessary in Maine and we believe that these efforts will have a positive impact on new product and company creation in Maine’s targeted technology sectors."
- Tim Honey, President and Founder - BeGlobal Network
"MCED allowed us to leverage its connections and reputation to short-circuit the time it takes to network both the political and business sides of the state. It was this assistance in networking that made all the difference for CrossRate as we struggled to gain a foothold and raise the funding required to develop our product. The Top Gun program will provide the next level of support to the most promising startups from mentors who’ve been there."
- Zachariah Conover, President/CEO - CrossRate Technology, LLC
"Eaton Peabody is proud to participate in the kick-off of MCED's 2010 Top Gun program. MCED and the Top Gun program under the strong leadership of Steve Bazinet, provides an innovative and highly valuable resource for start-up and emerging Maine businesses to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and their network of advisors, the practical skills and lessons to help move a great idea from a concept to a viable business. Top Gun is playing an important role in identifying and fostering a steady flow of innovative business start-ups which, over time, will be a catalyst to growth in Maine and abroad."
- David Austin of Eaton Peabody
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